samoht Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 this is one of my own design. it's a 6 stringer which is gonna have metal frets and can be played either like a mandolin or with a bow.. it's about the size of a mandola and has a flat back. not very decorative though.. i'm gonna add regular purfling to the top and that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 Very interesting! Did you do the bending yourself? It looks like mahogany, right? I like the carving on the headstock. Looknig forward to seeing the finished project, with a sound sample. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoht Posted October 20, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 (edited) that's maple and birch.. it looks like mahogany because of the crappy lighting in my apartment i do everything myself. i don't believe in buying pre-made stuff the head carving was done with a dremel mostly i actually sawed the maple for the sides from a broken strat neck someone gave me. Edited October 20, 2004 by samoht Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovekraft Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 Now that's a headstock design! It looks like a Hardänger fiddle or something equally exotic - very nice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted October 20, 2004 Report Share Posted October 20, 2004 That is awesome! Can't wait to see finished pics. Very cool work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrmiller Posted October 21, 2004 Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 Why metal frets? If you use traditional tied-on gut frets you'll have a pretty good approximation of a viola da gamba with Italian-style corners. The body might be a bit thin for a 'gamba, but I'd be inclined to play it as one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoht Posted October 21, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2004 (edited) because metal frets stay in their places after they've been installed. also remember that the original viola da gamba had gut strings. i don't think gut frets would survive with metal strings. also metal frets makes it possible for me to do the vibrato pretty much the same way i would do on guitar. i've tried fretting a cheap violin with mandolin frets succesfully before thanks for the comments dudes! Edited October 21, 2004 by samoht Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrmiller Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 You didn't say you were using metal strings. In that case, you're right; even on Baroque instruments, wire-strung instruments had metal frets. I guess I just assumed you'd be using gut or synthetic strings from the shape of the instrument. It sounds like it should be an interesting instrument. When I played tenor viola da gamba in college I'd occasionally hold it guitar style and play it pizzicato. When you hold it that way it's tuned with the same intervals as a lute. I had a pretty good version of "Dust in the Wind" going, and got some weird looks from the music history teacher. I never had much trouble with the frets moving around, though. Good luck with whatever you decide to call this thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoht Posted October 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 (edited) thanks. it's gonna take a while to finish this one since i'm currently in the process of making three electric guitars. i also need to re-finish my doubleneck.. Edited October 22, 2004 by samoht Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotrock Posted October 22, 2004 Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 Wow, that's cool dude and looks like some awesome workmanship Hope it's getting a Floyd Rose trem Very nice indeed, please post some finished pics (and finish it before the electrics ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoht Posted October 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2004 nah i'm planning on selling the electrics so i could get some money to buy real tools. then i'll consentrate more on my little violin building hobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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