Howard Core Company

FINISHING PRODUCTS


These finishing products are causing quite a stir among discerning luthiers and woodworking craftsmen. Based upon the original recipes of the old Italian violin-makers, the 1700 System utilizes grounds to prepare the wood, then a special varnish used in tandem with its organic pigment glaze to give the wood a rich, beautiful finish. Made in Spain.

Violin Varnish by JOE ROBSON

Handmade in small open kettle runs from traditional materials and recipes by Master Varnishmaker Joe Robson. The recipes and methods have deep roots in the violin making tradition and are chosen to insure the finest varnishes from the best materials. Violin Varnish Ltd. makes the finest finishes available for the violin family: Varnishes, Colors, and Grounds. From master luthiers and medal winners to novices and restoration specialists our violin varnishes are used around the world. Although historically correct methods and materials are used, the primary focus is to give luthiers the tools and palette necessary to achieve a beautiful, authentic coating for the instrument.

Click the following links to view and purchase
our extensive selection of finishing products:

Italian Balsamic Oils	Volatile Oil Varnish	Spirit Varnish IA (Matte Finish)
Propolis (Italian Spirit) Varnish	Standard Oil Varnishes & Solvents	Standard Spirit Varnishes & Solvents
Water Stains	Balsams & Volatile Oils	Touch-Up Varnish (For Oil & Spirit Varnish)
Resins For Making Varnish	Natural Dyes For Making Varnishes	Anilyne Dyes, Soluble in Turpentine (For Oil Varnish)
Anilyne Dyes, Soluble in Spirit	Anilyne Dyes, Soluble in Water	Color Extracts (Liquid)
Pore Filler	Abrasives & Polishes	Miscellaneous Items For Finishing & Repair
Varnish Brushes (Mink)	Varnish Brushes (Badger)	Touch-Up Brushes
Stiff Wiping Brushes	Stick Varnish (Stocklack)
Finishing Information Dyeing Resin Overview Conversion Chart

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Since we do not finish instruments ourselves, our knowledge of techniques, formulas, etc. is necessarily “second hand” and we do not feel qualified to give advice. There are several excellent books on this subject which we can recommend and they are:

Violin Varnishes by Hammerl. They make the products!
Varnishes and the Most Curious Secrets. Cremona 1747. First English translation of this 1747 varnish recipe collection from Cremona.
Sections of Art and Method of the Violinmaker, Violinmakers Notebook, and Violin Making Step by Step books by Henry Strobel also contain worthwhile varnishing information (Violin Making Step By Step is a two volume set - our item #'s BOOKS109 & BOOKS110).

All these books, plus many more (new edition of The Secrets of Stradivari by Sacconi available now, which has information about these matters, pg. 111) are available from us. Please look in the book section of our website.

CONVERSION CHART
100 ml	=	100 ccm
100 ml	=	3.4 oz
250 ml	=	8.45 oz
500 ml	=	16.9 oz
1 liter (l)	=	1.1 quart