Trade Secrets

Top makers share their specialist knowledge and skills in the art of lutherie.

Trade Secrets is a monthly column in The Strad where expert luthiers share their techniques for making and repairing stringed instruments. It’s an invaluable reference for both novice and expert luthiers and features step-by-step instructions accompanied by a clear photograph.

This section groups Trade Secrets articles from The Strad archives in one easy-to-access directory, allowing you direct access to a wealth of technical information and advice.

Trade Secrets: December 2009

To download an article by Joe Robson on the history of varnish, click here

Trade Secrets: November 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article from The Strad archive on gluing in C-bout ribs , click here

Trade Secrets: October 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article on winding a bow grip from The Strad archive, click here

Trade Secrets: September 2009

To download an alternative view on carving a scroll by Hans Pluhar, click here

Trade Secrets: August 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article by Kai-Thomas Roth on grading a cello table, click here

Trade Secrets: July 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article by James Ham on fixing cracks on a double bass back, click here

Trade Secrets: June 2009

To download an article by Philip Kass on Vuillaume’s picture bows, click here

Trade Secrets: May 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article by Peter Goodfellow on shaping a cello fingerboard, click here

Trade Secrets: April 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article by Shem Mackey on making a viol without using a mould, click here

Trade Secrets: February 2009

To download a Trade Secrets article on making varnish, click here

Trade Secrets: January 2009

To download two Trade Secrets articles on purfling from The Strad archive, click here and here

Trade Secrets: December 2008

To download a previous Trade Secrets article by Helen Michetschlager, click here

Trade Secrets: July 2008

To download Peter Goodfellow's article about shaping a cello fingerboard, click here

Trade Secrets: September 2007

To download Kai-Thomas Roth's article on making purfling, click here

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