A young lady came to my work shop and showed me 2 violins and a viola.
She asked me what I though of them and could I finish them for her.
She told me that her father was a cabinet maker and had made them 10 years ago but due to ill health was now in a rest home and unable to finish them.
As I ran my fingers over the wood I realized these 3 instruments were indeed very special.
The wood on the backs was an exquisite piece of ripple beach the sort of plank that if you are lucky enough to find such a lovely piece of wood you just had to make it into your finest masterpiece.
From what she told me her father had come across the piece of wood years before and saved it for something special.
He then taught himself to make violins and over a couple of years finished 2 sort of good violins not the finest but good for a beginner.
Then the started to use the special plank he had saved for his masterpiece and with exquisite care made 2 violins and a viola from them.
Before he had time to finish the instruments he became sick and they were put aside till this week when I was shown them.
Well what a honor to finish another craftsman masterpiece.
With great care I completed the few components needed and carefully put a lovely coat of special violin varnish on them. This took me nearly 2 weeks of loving effort but it was worth it as the 3 instruments had the most lovely sound and when played together they sounded even more beautiful as they complimented each other.
So the next task is to get a couple of players and give this elderly gent a special concert just for him at his rest home..
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