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Violins are a work of art for Wilcox

Staff reporter

Once a craftsman, always a craftsman.

True, but there are those who look for another way to express their talent — one that makes sound.

That's how Mark Wilcox of rural Marion describes his decision to transition from handmade wooden furniture to handmade wooden violins.

"I've been a fiddler for years," Wilcox said, "and furniture doesn't make sound."

This talented craftsman can take a solid chunk of wood and cut out pieces that have to be so precise that if they aren't exactly right, they won't match up when put together.

Each violin or fiddle will be as unique as the wood.

Since there are no two pieces of wood the same, there are no two violins the same.

Not only does the grain of the wood dictate the finish of the instrument, it also determines the tone.

Besides the obvious meticulous attention Wilcox gives the appearance of the violin, he also wants the stringed instrument to be "playable."

"When a musician picks up this instrument, I don't want him or her to be concerned about the quality of the instrument or the tone," he said. "I want them to concentrate on making music."

The Wichita native and his wife, Annette, moved to rural Marion in 1972. Ironically he took violin lessons 30 years ago from former Wichita resident Judith Priest, who now resides at Marion County Lake.

When asked if he played in an organized band, he replied "I've played with friends for our amusement."

An accomplished carpenter and furniture builder for 20 years, Wilcox decided four years ago to try his skill — and patience — at being a luthier or violin maker.

Patience is a necessary trait for this trade because quality of production is far more important than quantity. As a matter of fact, Wilcox is only on his 13th violin.

Each instrument takes about 150 hours to make. As he becomes more skilled and experienced, he may be able to produce the same quality of instrument in less time but that isn't his goal.

"This is a functional sculpture," Wilcox said.

Like any artist creating a masterpiece, he can't be rushed.

Each piece of wood is hand selected for grain quality and depth because the violin is only as good as the wood. These nearly perfect chunks of wood do not come at a cheap price.

For instance, the wood piece that is used for the top is five to seven years old. The more aged the wood, the better the tone. That wood piece can cost up to $50.

When he purchases the wood, he considers the even grain pattern.

Wilcox draws a pattern for the top of the violin, lengthwise with the grain of the wood. The pattern he currently is working with is for an Antonio Stradivarius designed violin, probably one of the more popular legendary violin makers.

When the pattern is drawn on the wood, he then uses a band saw to cut out the main shape. Everything else is done by hand.

With patience and the love for that piece of wood, Wilcox softly and methodically chisels the wood into the desired thickness and shape.

"It's not the hours I put in to making this instrument," Wilcox said, "it's all about the quality of the tone."

The tone also is determined by the arching of the wood on the top of the violin. The curves of the body of the violin also dictate the finished sound quality.

The curved area of the violin is called a C-bout. The more tight the C-bouts are, the more mellow the tone.

Molds are used to mount the top and back to make the desired shape. Special glue is used to attach the pieces so they can replaced if damaged.

The scroll of the violin, the very end above the pegs, is hand-carved by Wilcox.

If the pieces do not perfectly match up, then it's back to the drawing board or the work bench. Again, patience is key.

The back of the violin, the back of the neck, and the ribs are made from tiger maple.

A beautiful finish is applied to the wood. Synthetic cat gut is used for the strings with pegs, a fingerboard, bridge, and chin rest are added for the finishing touch.

The masterpiece is complete.

Wilcox plans to sell his musical sculptures by consignment in Wichita and Lawrence.

For him, it isn't so much marketing the product but honing his craft and creating beautiful musical instruments.

Wilcox will be a roving musician Saturday during Chingawassa Days in Central Park, Marion.

He will walk through the crowds, entertaining festival-goers by playing his fiddle.

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