The Hidden Science Behind Violin Colors: Varnish Secrets!

Ever wondered why some violins are red, brown, or even greenish? In this video, I dive into the fascinating world of violin varnish and explain how and why these beautiful instruments change color over time. Discover the secrets behind the red varnish of Montagnana and learn what causes violins to shift in hue as they age. Whether you're a violin enthusiast or just curious about the craft, this video will give you a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind violin making!
Meanwhile all the best from Cremona
Edgar
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[@stevenbucelato]

This what I do...when I have a old dark violin.and the grain as I see is very interesting! I want to see the grains! I strip the instrument down to its natural state normally white,..stripping, sanding from 320/ to 1500 in stages when its clean from scroll to tail I us a yellow stain, it starts to bring out the grain figures on the ribs and back then at that point after itS dry I can enhance this buy going into a spectrum of browns reds, darker colors or clear! But that my take and perspective
That I have!..

[@timoliver8261]

Excellent video, as usual. Thank you . Where will you be in California?

[@EdgarRuss]

Thank you so much! 😊 I'll be in California from November 7th to 14th. If you'd like to schedule a meeting, feel free to send me an email at [e-mail]. Hope to see you there!

[@RAkers-tu1ey]

It is interesting how some pigments are "fugitive" (they fade) and others are not.
Do you know the actual pigments used in the various colors by the old masters? I am not sure they had access to the various cadmium colors, which are very robust.
Most of the plant based pigments are not, and I am not sure about the various insect based pigments. Another fascinating video, Thanks!!

[@xaav]

Do you think pigments done from natural plants as madder roots or reseda are more transparent than synthetic modern pigments ?Do the mineral pigments not risk making the varnish opaque?

[@DivaDeb1234]

My 100 year German violin has areas that varnish rub off. It's it bad to apply new vanish?

[@deltasquared7777]

I don't understand your emphasis on pigments rather than natural gums/resins for coloring violin varnish that are totally crystal clear transparent as opposed to pigments that are inherently opaque and yield murky varnishes. Dragon's blood (Dracaena cinnabari) is an excellent red resin. and you might want to try resina kamala (Mallotus phillipinensis) that is an excellent orange resin. Both of these natural resins are extremely lightfast, and the color can be modified by mordanting. There are also excellent totally natural colorants that can be extracted to give a range of colors...Of equal importance is the ground that is used prior to varnishing. Various types of tea make excellent grounds of different degrees of color and bring out the grain of the wood most beautifully, largely dependent on the action of their natural tannins...Nitric acid and its fumes (very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing) also is used as a ground to darken wood, including pernambucco.

[@Adrian_AdamViolonDiGerma-tm3nq]

I think violins with greenish varnish are usually spirit varnish with pigment from curcuma

[@chrisanderson2984]

I may be able to make a 'guess'. Its generally thought that 'less is more' among varnishing - you want just enough to protect the instrument - because adding more and more reduces the tonal quality of the instrument. From my studies, it appears that pigments allow one to do the 'majority color' in one single application (by glazing, rubbing, etc). Then, subsequent varnishes can adapt the color (or give the instrument that sought after 'dichroism' where the color appears to change a bit as you rotate the instrument). I agree with every part of your comment regarding the use of water-based dyes and using other resins. Unfortunately - there appears to be a preference within the Violin community that 'only oil-based varnishes produce the best instruments'. In taking this assumption - most colored resins are not natively soluble in linseed oil, and so you are 'forced' to use pigments for coloration. Madder Lake is the primary red for oil-based varnishes (which still requires some chemistry to make - see David Rubio's website). Great comments.

[@deltasquared7777]

@@chrisanderson2984 If you have not tried kamala you might want to- it can produce a very intense transparent color.
Also, a major difference between poorly formulated spirit varnishes and oil varnishes is that spirit varnishes tend to be brittle compared to the flexibility of oil varnishes, however the addition of a small amount of gum elemi greatly increases the elasticity of varnishes. Kremer Pigments provides the following information: Elemi is a soft resin extracted from Angiosperms. Used as a plasticizer because of its low melting point, it gives the film good adhesion and gloss. It is marketed as a thick, sticky, grayish-white liquid. It is a suspension of complex organic acids in essential oils. Soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohol, it has high compatibility with oils, waxes and other resins both natural and synthetic. Suitability: Violin Varnish /Wooden Surfaces

[@deltasquared7777]

@chrisanderson2984 If you have not tried kamala you might want to- it can produce a very intense transparent color.
Also, a major difference between poorly formulated spirit varnishes and oil varnishes is that spirit varnishes tend to be brittle compared to the flexibility of oil varnishes, however the addition of a small amount of gum elemi greatly increases the elasticity of varnishes. Kremer Pigments provides the following information: Elemi is a soft resin extracted from Angiosperms. Used as a plasticizer because of its low melting point, it gives the film good adhesion and gloss. It is marketed as a thick, sticky, grayish-white liquid. It is a suspension of complex organic acids in essential oils. Soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons and alcohol, it has high compatibility with oils, waxes and other resins both natural and synthetic. Suitability: Violin Varnish /Wooden Surfaces

[@christianklein5774]

that was on that very old arabian vilon i done renew the biggest problen ; findig the origin collor tone , somone goven her a re finish (i gues in the 30s by the stings in the box ect )but in origin i go for a light red finish almost only oiled i gues so i getn some sahara oxyd red and mixed that in parahin oliveoil alcohol finish what worked exacly as i liked it to be ..

[@yngveskarphedinssons]

Red always degrades the quickest when exposed to UV light.

[@Maxime_Ayrault_de_Saint-Henis]

First of all, FIRST. Second of all, what do you think about boiled spirit varnish?
❤❤❤ From France

[@disqusrubbish5467]

If you boil spirit varnish, wouldn't the "spirit" all evaporate?

[@Adrian_AdamViolonDiGerma-tm3nq]

@@disqusrubbish5467 It's just a process of thickening or mixing some ingredients. Don't let it evaporate completely and burn 😭😭🤌🏻🤌🏻✨