Search found 13 matches

by Craig Cowing
Sun Aug 21, 2022 11:21 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Chinese Zither
Replies: 3
Views: 7879

Re: Chinese Zither

I'm coming close to finishing mine. I'll post some pics when it's done.
by Craig Cowing
Thu Nov 19, 2020 7:41 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: converting a cello to a bass viola da gamba
Replies: 5
Views: 21402

Re: converting a cello to a bass viola da gamba

I had to set it aside for awhile but I'm back at it. I decided that I didn't like the cheap looking orange-ish finish so I'm stripping it to bare wood then I'll put on a nice tinted oil varnish. I discovered that I made the peg box too short so the tabs on the pegs are too close together and are dif...
by Craig Cowing
Sun Nov 15, 2020 5:50 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: New Five-String Fiddle on the Way
Replies: 17
Views: 45577

Re: New Five-String Fiddle on the Way

With a 5 string instrument to you have to do anything different with the structure of the body? Obviously the neck and fingerboard will be a bit wider and the scroll maybe a hair longer to accommodate an extra peg, but anything in the body?
by Craig Cowing
Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:43 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: 3500 year old Egyptian harp
Replies: 2
Views: 7298

Re: 3500 year old Egyptian harp

I have a head that I made from Sculpey that will go on the end. Not a prisoner just an Egyptian guy.
by Craig Cowing
Sat Sep 05, 2020 1:18 pm
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: Rebuilding an old Hungarian Citera
Replies: 8
Views: 13307

Re: Rebuilding an old Hungarian Citera

Looks like an old piece perhaps. Very interesting. Enjoy the ride!
by Craig Cowing
Sat Sep 05, 2020 10:57 am
Forum: Other Stringed Instruments
Topic: 3500 year old Egyptian harp
Replies: 2
Views: 7298

3500 year old Egyptian harp

I recently made this harp, something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's based on a harp in the Metropolitan Museum. Here's a link: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/546194 My one departure was that I had a long and narrow bread bowl that I wanted to use as a body so I used that. I...
by Craig Cowing
Thu Feb 21, 2019 12:56 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: converting a cello to a bass viola da gamba
Replies: 5
Views: 21402

converting a cello to a bass viola da gamba

I'm working on a project to convert a Cecilia C100 4/4 cello into a bas viola da gamba. I'm curious as to whether anyone else has tried this. Thoughts?
by Craig Cowing
Tue Jan 15, 2019 10:19 pm
Forum: String Instrument Repair: Practical and Political Issues
Topic: Repairing hairline crack
Replies: 2
Views: 4759

Re: Repairing hairline crack

For bowed instruments in the violin family a cleat is the normal repair. It's basically a patch of maple or spruce that is feathered to the edge and it straddles the crack on the inside. You may want more than one.
by Craig Cowing
Fri Jan 11, 2019 10:33 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: Choosing an instrument + Hello :)
Replies: 4
Views: 20353

Re: Choosing an instrument + Hello :)

To my mind, perfect sound is very subjective. What sounds perfect to one person may not sound perfect to another.
by Craig Cowing
Fri Jan 11, 2019 10:30 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: Bowed suggestions for a Viola Da Gamba-ish
Replies: 11
Views: 36449

Re: Bowed suggestions for a Viola Da Gamba-ish

For an instrument of that size I would definitely go with a cello bow. It's heavier and as someone notes above, more likely to move the strings. Good luck!
by Craig Cowing
Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:36 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: high E string for possible 1/4 cello conversion to 5 string
Replies: 0
Views: 10047

high E string for possible 1/4 cello conversion to 5 string

I am thinking of converting an Eastman 1/4 cello into a 5 string violoncello piccolo. I'm wondering about the best option for strings. Would a full size E string work, taking into account I'd have to cut it back, maybe find a way to wind the end so it doesn't fall apart. Or, would a viola da gamba s...
by Craig Cowing
Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:51 am
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: question about viola da gamba bows and frets
Replies: 1
Views: 8736

question about viola da gamba bows and frets

I'm making my first viola da gamba and am wondering if there are any plans available for a bow? I read somewhere that the tension is static, that you don't tighten or loosen it. Is that true? Also, I'm thinking about tied gut frets. I know that the traditional thing is to use an old gut string, but ...
by Craig Cowing
Fri Oct 26, 2018 6:04 pm
Forum: Bowed Stringed Instruments and Bows
Topic: Viol Fronts
Replies: 19
Views: 29337

Re: Viol Fronts

I'm starting work on my first viol. It will be a tenor viola da gamba, based on one in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It dates from ca. 1600 and was made by a Richard Blount in England. I'm going to change a few things, though. The fittings will be ipe, or Brazilian ironwood. It's as hard and de...

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