Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on June 11, 2011 at 8:38pm

I really appreciate and understand what these instruments are all about, but, IMHO, they appear to be really ugly fiddles.

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on June 12, 2011 at 1:57am

Really?  I liked them!

 

But I was especially interested in the body shape.  Much easier to do than ones with a traditional center bout.

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on June 12, 2011 at 4:56am

Like so many things in life, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The traditional design of peg head was great when it was developed, but I prefer something a little modern. I am a fan of headless designs using guitar style tuners where the tail piece would be. Once this busy time of year is passed and the days become shorter, I think that this will be my next project.

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on June 12, 2011 at 6:17am

Well, that will sure solve the weight-in-the-headstock issue!  Can't wait to see that!

Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on June 17, 2011 at 3:52am

Looks like Jessupe Goldastini has found a use for his "wastage" cuts of wood, pattern them together like a quilt for the back side of the instrument, He makes some very nice looking instruments. The headstock design he uses are more like what I'll probably do. I'm not quite ready for wooden scrolls. As far as body shape, I really like the mountain fiddle body shape I saw somewhere around here last week. Seems it was oval to roundish, even easier to form. I've been thinking headless fiddle as well, but will have to do plenty more thinking (and Interest "research") before i can come with a plan. I was also thinking of fretting it. (Maybe it will end up a 4-string mandolin.)

-Rand.

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on June 17, 2011 at 4:15am

You know, I didn't think I was ready for a scroll either, but it carves out really easily when you cut those spirals with a fretsaw.  There are tutorials out there.  Mine was a much-simplified one.