My work
Experiences & news
MATTIA RIVA VIOLIN MAKER
LFJ Strings EXPO
HALL B7 - Booth 41
I'll be waiting for you in Tokyo!
www.ljf.jp
Ester colophony - 05/2023
The esterification of colophony and, in general, of all resins with a high percentage of monocarboxylic acids (Manila and Congo copals, for instance) is an essential and vital process, in order to obtain a raw material suitable to produce high-quality oleo-resinous varnishes.
There are different methods to be taken in order to obtain good results and some may be better than others. In particular, the esterification process with glycerol, helps to significantly reduce acidity, while increasing the melting point of processed resins.
Please refer to Manila copal and colophony rosin esterification process page.
New models - 3/2023
"Cremonese" and "Toscano" violins
The "Cremonese" violin is inspired by the famous Stradivari 1715 violin, preserved at the Museo del Violino in Cremona. Oil varnish and new style finishing.
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The "Toscano" violin is inspired by Stradivari 1690 violin, kept at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Essential oil varnish and antique style finishing.
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Please refer to new models gallery.
Wood preparation - 10/2022
The wood preparation technique is very important for the best acoustic performance of new instruments and the method I developed is divided into three steps.
The first step is priming, to isolate raw wood. Generally, it comprises protein substances, such as gelatine, albumine, casein or silicates.
The second step is staining, which, through the substances used, stains the wood and helps to harden the protein substances given by the precedent phase. The hardening action is induced and enhanced by exposing the instrument to natural sunlight or UVA rays.
The third step is a fixing/toning solution; depending on the metal salts used, I can obtain the desired background shade, with colours ranging from yellow/gold to bronze or reddish/dark brown.
Breath - 05/2022
Video by Luca Alberti
A short video by Luca Alberti that shows some of the most fascinating phases of cello making.
This instrument come to life after the modification of a Nicolò Amati's 1650 cello, preserved at the "Galleria dell'Accademia" in Florence.
Workshop news - 3/2022
New stock of antique violins
New stock of old violins from French and German manufacturers, Mirecourt, Jérome Thibouville-Lamy workshop and Markneukirchen.
They will be ready to sell after a meticulous restoration and suitable for intermediate and advanced students.
Please don't esitate to contact us for more information.
The making methods I employ in creating my instruments are the classic "Cremonese" methods which require the use of the inside shape and the wood I employ is no less of forty years seasoned.
My varnishes can be oleoresinous based or spirit based with the addition of etheric oils and small quantities of linseed oil.
Please refer to the violin construction page.
The wood: maple & spruce - 8/2021
The workshop selection
Several times over the last twenty years, I have had the opportunity to purchase the wood that I use to make my instruments from fellow luthiers, who have decided to sell off their materials and equipment before retiring from the business.
This has made it possible to work with selected, beautifully seasoned raw materials.
Most of the pieces I have in stock, whether Balkan maple or Italian spruce from the Alps of Trentino, were actually cut in the 1970s and ‘80s.
