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Monday 6th
Barry came in today to get my opinion on the latest violin he'd made... his third. I spent an hour looking over it and made some suggestions on where he might try and adjust a few things next time.
After he'd gone Toby asked me why I bothered wasting my time on amateur makers. I pointed out that as far as I know all violin makers started off as beginners - I really can’t see any good reason for not helping someone improve their violin making. Seems to me to be a fairly harmless hobby... it keeps you off the streets and the worst you can do is bleed all over some good tonewood. And besides, Barry's a good friend - he works at the local off-licence and lets me know when the single malts are coming on sale.
Wednesday 8th
In late today - had to go to the doctor this morning. I was only there for an earache but of course they make the most of the opportunity and test you for every disease known to medical science. He also asked about my drinking habits and seemed slightly concerned when I told him (good thing I understated the case… I didn't want to worry him unduly). But then he found out I was a violin maker so we spent the rest of the time talking about that instead.
When I finally got to work, Toby was tackling the scroll on his 'Ole Bull' copy – he and Bianca had their heads together over that big Guarneri book discussing the best approach. Really!... if they spent as much time on making as they did reading about it they'd have finished a dozen instruments by now.
Later Simon called in to show me a violin he'd picked up as part of a deceased estate - this one’s clearly the work of an amateur. I could just make out 'Harold Diggle 1920' written in pencil on the back... probably his first attempt by the look of it. I thought it had a certain rustic charm but when I showed it to Toby and Bianca they both burst out laughing. I told Simon to leave it with me - there's a crack in the belly that needs to be glued.
Friday 10th June
Arrived this morning to find Toby and Bianca amusing themselves with the Diggle violin - they were trying to work out if the f-holes had been cut with a blunt penknife or a pair of scissors. And they decided from the look of the scroll that he must have misplaced his glasses the day he attempted it. I told them I didn't think the scroll was all that bad... it’s certainly no worse than a late period del Gesu!
The doctor's receptionist phoned this afternoon - he wants to see me on Monday. That doesn't sound good... he's probably found something dreadful! That's the trouble with doctors - they give you awful news and then you aren't even allowed to have a drink to console yourself. Oh well... we all have to go some time I suppose. I've decided that when my time is up I want a traditional send-off... maple back and sides, spruce on top (and definitely no antiquing!).
Still, I might forgo the pub tonight – I’ll go straight home and have an early night. Perhaps I should ask Bianca for one of her chamomile tea-bags.
Monday 13th June
Just back from the doctor - turned out he only wanted to see me so he could show me an old viola that used to belong to his grandmother!! My tests were all fine and he even said my liver was surprisingly healthy. Had a large whisky to toast my excellent liver.
I decided to clean and glue the crack on the amateur violin that Simon brought in last week. When I'd got the front off, I discovered that Mr Diggle had included an extra annotation on the underside of the belly... up near the top corner where it couldn’t be seen he'd written: "DEDICATED TO JAMES, MY ONLY SON WHO FELL AT FLANDERS, JUNE 1918".
Showed it to Toby and Bianca... they were rather quiet for the rest of the day. After I'd fixed the crack I phoned Simon and offered to buy the violin from him - I'd like to get it playing and add it to my personal collection.