by Chet Bishop » Sat Jan 05, 2013 6:11 pm
I always have people begin with Henry Strobel's book "Violin Making, Step-By-Step". It is pretty straight-forward, does not take you into any bad practices, and you can produce a nice classical violin on your first try, if you can really follow directions.
The next step up is the Johnson-Courtnall book, "the Art of Violin Making"--much more juicy, in terms of color photos, etc. Personally, I think if I had gotten that book first, I might never have made a violin, because I would have spent my time drooling over the book. Henry's books are much more pedestrian, and matter-of-fact. Besides, his book comes with a drawing-- a plan-- a pattern, so that you are ready to begin. The J/C book does not,and you have to go find a pattern from which to work.
There are some very good books on repair, too, but I personally think you would do well to build three or four from scratch, for a good foundation in technique, before you take on any serious repairs. OTOH, you could buy a bunch of broken fiddles, and start practicing repairs that way.
Chet Bishop
Violin-family instruments
Forest Grove, Oregon