Glue and clamp the top bracing and bass bar. I got these great clamps (Chinese) for such clampage. They are thin for f hole work. Springy, but clamp hard... note my critter handle on the side.
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Yup Nelson. It's coming nicely. Today I made a fiddle neck out of cedar. I carved the scroll and pegbox and shaped the neck and heal. It will go on a little red kid's toolbox. A quick project while I wait for the cello's machines coming from China. How do you like your new mandolin? I think you'll like it.
So that's the unit sitting up in your workshop that I saw coming into your workshop from the backyard. Does it resemble the unit you were bowing on outside of the kitchen ?
The handle is a hard fine grained cedar. It seems quite strong for it's light weight. I liked hearing your background Monterey. I got into old treadle machines way back in art school days. Back then I could get a treadle with a beautiful cabinet for $5 or $6. I used them to patch old blue jeans. The style of the day. :^)
Well! They did make a fine job of it! The neck I used for my license plate guitar is from an old Kapok acoustic, and it too seems really well made. It's hard Maple too. I know I've seen some poor quality Chinese stuff, mostly alloy and poorly machined, but I'm impressed with the quality of some of their instruments. I was researching Chinese symbols and gongs a few months ago, and saw some being handmade in little foundries. Some of their craftsmanship has been passed on for generations.
I'll look forward to seeing the oil painting.
I'll bet the thick Cedar is a lot more fun to work with than the thin stuff!
Thanks Monterey. You know the scroll is pure factory, right? Chinese craftsmanship all the way. They are good! Hard maple too. I,ve done an oil painting patina on it today. I,ll do a second session on it tomorrow. The handle came out good. Carving the thick cedar is fun. Mostly done with the bandsaw, belt sander and Dremmel. Then hand sanding.
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So that's the unit sitting up in your workshop that I saw coming into your workshop from the backyard. Does it resemble the unit you were bowing on outside of the kitchen ?
I'll look forward to seeing the oil painting.
I'll bet the thick Cedar is a lot more fun to work with than the thin stuff!
Nice work, Dave! Once you start making cigar box oboes, you can build an entire symphony!