This is the back plate with its exterior surface roughed out. This is approximately the same finish if hand gouges are used for this step.
Most of our wood will end up as shavings. The real art in violin making is learning how much wood to remove.
In this view, you can see how the shape matches the Stradivari master mold. Using this technique, I can reliably reproduce the traditional 1714 Stradivari shape . ( In the olden days, they had something called apprentices to do the rough shaping of the various parts)
Here you can see that the surface is quite rough. So, our next job is to begin to smooth the surface using curved violin making planes, scrapers, and sand paper.
Working the plate surface for about one hour will make it quite smooth. By shining a light across the wood at a shallow angle, problem areas will be apparent ( natural light through a window or open door might be the very best light in which to work if available.)
Modified 9/2017
Page O16C_9
