Editor’s letterSince Antonio Stradivari’s death over 280 years ago

SOUNDPOSTLetters, emails, online comments

WHAT’S IN A BOW?Freelance cellists Victoria Beattieand Katy Whittlejoined The Strads editor Charlotte Smithand contributing editor Pauline Hardingto try out a range of carbon fibre bows - discovering great differences in weight, balance and playability

How woods can save forestsAs tropical hardwoods become endangered, the likes of spruce, maple and boxwood are being scientifically modified to offer luthiers alternatives to rosewood and ebony. Tom Stewart explores the brave new world of sustainable fittings

RISE OF THE MACHINESFor maximum thrills, its hard to beat an electric violin at full throttle. Christian Garricktest-drives some of the most innovative models and discovers if they sound as wild as they look

MUTES TO SHOUT ABOUTWilliam Wiessmeyerof Wiessmeyer & Son describes the process of manufacturing his companys 3D-printed mutes for violins, violas and cellos, and discusses the evolution of their design

Taming the BASS WOLFWrestling with a wolf note? Kimon Daltasasks double bass specialists for solutions, and checks out a range of wolf eliminators

Unbridled possibilityJust as developers have discovered numerous alternatives to wood products for stringed instruments, a small number of pioneers are seeking non-biological alternatives to horsehair for bows. But, say a number of experts, there is still some way to go before a comparable product can be found. Peter Somerford investigates

TECHNOLOGY ON TRIALInspired to make a cello after Rugeri, Quebec luthier Guillaume Schönau turned to 3D scanning and CNC machining to make a replica for reference. But do such tools have a future in luthiers’ workshops?

On the beatNews and events from around the world this month

CELLO ENDPIN Straight to the pointCan changes to an overlooked part of the cello anatomy help improve your sound?

Life lessons Matthew BarleyThe British cellist on memory, nationalism and his long journey - via a skiing accident - to technical confidence

AUCTIONS Top lots from the London salesA record-breaking Gofriller and possibly the oldest British viola drew Kevin MacDonald’s attention in the March auctions

Fairytale endingThis year’s Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition, which took place in March, succeeded not only as a joyous celebration of the composer’s music, but in bringing together exciting young players set to make their mark on the world stage, writes Charlotte Smith

Forms of mysteryAndrea Zanrè and Philip Ihle conclude their examination of Stradivari’s moulds, with the aid of micro-CT imaging by Rudolf Hopfner, by exploring whether the Cremonese master may have used more than the twelve forms that survive in the Museo del Violino

BLUE SKY TEACHINGString tutors are always looking for ways to help students develop or refine their technique, and some use unconventional approaches. Judith Kogan spoke with three such teachers, all based in North America and whose unique ideas are achieving significant results

SMALL FORCES, BIG AMBITIONSThe Orchestre d’Auvergne recently launched its own digital-only label. The third release features soloist and conductor Thomas Zehetmair in a Haydn violin concerto alongside two string orchestra arrangements of Strauss and Bruckner, writes Gavin Dixon

WOMEN OF THE WORLDAt the beginning of the 20th century, as social attitudes towards women were changing, a small number of female violinists became internationally renowned. Linking the members of this intrepid group was the famous Czech string teacher Otakar Ševík, as Rosalind Ventrisdiscovers

INSIDE INFORMATIONVery often neglected, the chamfers of a bow head can give intimate clues as to a maker’s working style and personal characteristics. Anton Luand Dai-Ting Chungcompare and contrast bows from the Baroque era to the present day

CARL METTUS WEISLutherie

Making a mould and rib structure for a copy of an old instrumentLutherie

LUTHIER CHARLÉLIE DAURIAT LOCATIONGourville, FranceLutherie

The fine-tuned universeLutherie

MOZART SINFONIA CONCERTANTETeaching & Playing

Left-hand finger independenceTeaching &Playing

ReviewsYour monthly critical round-up of performances, recordings and publications

From theARCHIVEFROM THE STRAD JUNE 1929 VOL.40 NO.470

VADIM GLUZMANThe Israeli violinist finds a sense of nostalgia for his childhood home of Riga, Latvia, in Pteris Vasks’ ‘Distant Light’ Violin Concerto