New Five-String Fiddle (Finally) On the Way!
Slow Progress on a New Five String Fiddle
Sadly, these have been a difficult couple of years. For one thing, Health issues within the extended family and increasing responsibilities in other areas of life have made it difficult to actively work on new Five String builds. Consequently, I hardly get started, and something else is needed
However, currently, I have one new Five-string Fiddle that should be done in the near future.
Originally, I bought the figured maple for this five string instrument as a billet, years ago, from Bruce Harvie of “Orcas Island Tonewoods.” However, the European Spruce, the purfling, and the fittings are from “International Violin Company” in Baltimore. Serendipitously, I secured the linings and blocks from a local source. They are weeping willow, (And it came from a large downed limb in someone’s yard after a windstorm).
This is my original design from the first five-string fiddle I built. For some reason, it has proved my most popular build, both for tone and playability.
Scroll Graft
Obviously, (If you look closely, you can see it) I was forced to perform a scroll graft on this instrument. The cause was that there was a series of small knots that penetrated all the way through the neck, right at the nut line. As a result, they would have produced a fatal weakness in the neck. I had already carved most of the scroll when I realized it wasn’t going to work.
Also, obviously, (fortunately,) I had a block of curly maple at hand that could be shaped into a new neck-block and grafted into the scroll.
Five String Progress Photos:
The next step will be to complete final smoothing and varnish preparation, then I will apply a mineral ground. Finally, after the ground is fully dry, I will apply a coat of a sealing compound. Then I can begin varnishing.
I hope to complete the instrument soon!
Thanks for Looking