Matthew Gilbert of Gilbert Instruments will be demonstrating some of the techniques and equipment used in the art of violin making, better known as Lutherie. Matthew will show some of the different stages found in measuring, cutting, carving, scraping, and finishing a violin.
Having made several types of varnishes, Matthew will be able to explain the differences between alcohol varnish and oil varnish as well as the materials used in creating them. For example, Matthew has used both fossilized tree resin (amber) and fresh resin scraped from Indiana pines to make varnishes with different properties.
Gilbert Instruments are also glued together using traditional hide glues. These 
glues are valued for their high strength and water soluble nature. This traditional method of gluing found in most hand-made bowed instruments, as well as a number of production models, is one of the reasons that Luthier’s are able to restore instruments to playable condition. A good maker/restorer should always follow the dictum of “do not do a repair in such a way that it can not be undone”. Matthew will demonstrate the finer points of this type of glue whose use dates back prior to ancient Egypt.
Matthew received his education at Indiana University along with numerous seminars and workshops with Hans Nebel, the Violin Society of America, and Oberlin School of Music. He has worked in the shop of Dalton Potter of Potter’s Violins (Bethesda, MD), and held the position of Luthier for Bernhardt House of Violins in Greenville, South Carolina.
Looks good Matt