omo

The Romance & Reality of violin makers

About the show

We cover the lives of violin makers, their best parts and worst parts, yesterday and today. Historical stories, interviews with experts and makers in the field. Omobono Stradivari was the least liked son of his father, Antonio, he was remembered in Antonio's will as a screw up. He is our north star. We are all part of this. We all belong exactly here.

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Episodes

  • Episode 25: That Baroque Life

    May 6th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  45 mins 48 secs
    bach cello suites, baroque, baroque cello, baroque music, baroque period, baroque violin set up, cellist, cello, juliana soltis, luthier, musician, omo, sarah peck, viola, violin, violin making, violin shop

    Join Chris, Jerry, and Rozie as they explore baroque style from both a luthiers perspective as well as a player's perspective. Special guests Sarah Peck walks us through her relationships with clients seeking to play in the baroque style, followed by an interview with Juliana Soltis, touring professional baroque cellist, exploring the different colors of sound created in this unique time period.

  • Episode 24: How Are You Coping

    April 15th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  42 mins 18 secs
    cello, coping, corona, covid-19, luthier, omo, stay safe, viola, violin, violin making, violin shop

    Across the globe, shops are closed, and work for musicians is difficult to find. Listeners contribute: how are we coping? Hosts Rozie, Chris, and Jerry update us.

  • Episode 23: Well This is No Joke

    April 1st, 2020  |  Season 2  |  32 mins 43 secs
    cello, corona, covid-19, luthier, omo, plagues, safety, viola, violin, violin shop

    Chris and Rozie chat with Ben Hebbert about the state of our industry, facing Covid-19 pressures.

  • Episode 22: The Chemicals, Part 2 + Corona update

    March 16th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  49 mins 29 secs
    aniline dyes, cancer, cello, chemical safety, chemicals, corona, covid-19, luthier, medical advice, safety, social distancing, viola, violin, violin shop, virus, workbench
  • Episode 21: The Chemicals, Part 1

    March 4th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  1 hr 4 mins
    aniline dyes, cancer, cello, chemical safety, chemicals, luthier, viola, violin, violin shop, workbench

    What kinds of chemicals are we exposed to in this industry, and how can we better protect ourselves? Join us for part 1 where we interview a young cancer survivor.

  • Episode 20: Pablo's Adventure a.k.a. Never trust Steve Sincere

    February 5th, 2020  |  Season 2  |  43 mins 30 secs
    cello, landofi, luthier, omo, steve sincere, theft, theft ring, viola, violin, violin shop, violin theft

    In the summer of 2015 a violin theft ring was operating in in the south eastern United States. Hear the story of how the arrest unfolded in Pablo Alfaro's shop.

  • Episode 19: Body Ruin

    December 11th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 2 mins
    bass, body ruin, body wear, cello, luthier, orchestra, pain, scars, viola, violin, violin maker, violin making

    What happens when the work you love endeavors to cripple you? How do luthiers maintain when the work they love is excruciatingly painful?

    Ryan Davidson and the legendary David Wiebe weigh in.

  • Episode 18: St. Omobono Confessionals at the VSA

    November 27th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  43 mins 28 secs
    bass, cello, confessional, luthier, orchestra, st. omobono, viola, violin, violin maker, violin making, violin society of america, vsa

    Chris, Jerry, and Rozie report on the Violin Society of American Convention in Dallas, luthiers confess to St. Omobono

  • Episode 17: Is The Violin Evil?

    October 30th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  31 mins 3 secs
    bass, cello, devil, fiddle heads, gypsy, haunted violin, haunting, jancsi rigo, luthier, orchestra, paganini, romani, romani legend, thomas brown, viola, violin, violin maker, violin making

    The violin has a dark side, so much so that there are legends it was a creation of the devil. Chris and Rozie explore the Romani tale of the creation of the violin. Ben Hebbert shares dark stories in violinmaking history. Special thanks to Glen Gaudin for calling in with his haunted violin story! In the coda, Chris, Jerry, and Rozie tell the weirdest fiddle head they've ever encountered.

  • Episode 16: Rise of the Machines with Greg Sapp

    October 2nd, 2019  |  Season 1  |  1 hr 6 mins
    bass, cat calls, cello, greg sapp, industrial, jigs, life balance, luthier, mental health, milling machine, orchestra, restoration, strings, technology, viola, violin, violin making, violin restoration, wood shop, wood working

    How much advanced technology is acceptable in instrument making & repair? Greg Sapp and Jerry Lynn disclose some of the machinery they work with and get jiggy. In our listener feedback segment, Chris, Jerry, and Rozie do a mental health checkup, followed by some incredibly appropriate Luthier Cat Calls.

  • Episode 15: VSA Past Present & Future with Marilyn Wallin

    September 18th, 2019  |  Season 1  |  58 mins 25 secs
    bass, cello, eating a strad, luthier, marilyn wallin, master & apprentice, orchestra, viola, violin, violin maker, violin making, violin society of america, vsa, vsa convention

    Marilyn Wallin joins us for a guided tour of the Violin Society of America - sharing her early years submitting some of her very first instruments for judging, to later becoming the president. Also - what makes a healthy master/apprentice relationship? Chris, Jerry, & Rozie share some thoughts and look forward to hearing from you. Come see us at the VSA Conference, November 8 & 9, in Dallas TX.

  • Episode 14: Next Generation part two: Mohr and Mohr and Mohr

    August 21st, 2019  |  Season 1  |  55 mins 3 secs
    bass, ben hebbert, bow making, cello, learning trade secrets, luthier, luthier books, next generation, orchestra, viola, violin, violin maker, violin making

    How do we pass on our training to the next generation, today? Join us for a chat with Ben Hebbert, and following an interview with Rodney Mohr and his daughter, Kate Mohr. In our listener feedback segment, we cover: what are the top 5 books for a beginner luthier to own?