When the metaphorical lightbulb turn on in my head for an instrument, I like to sketc the idea on Microsoft paint. This drawing is for a piezoelectric two string hollowbody box cello. My plan is to use one of those pre-amp pickup units you can find on C.B. Gitty to amplify the cello. I've used eyebolt tuners in similar projects but I'll upgrade to better tuners. I hope to use real cello strings but they tend to be on the expensive side, much more. I'll probably have to use lighter weedwacker line. A long dowel will serve as an end pin with a ball on the end (or better yet, some type of rubber cap to prevent slipping).
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Update: I ordered the box, the bridges (flying bridge meant for stick-on-top builds, but works for what I'm doing), the pickup (pre-amp) and the tuners from CB Gitty. I then ordered a set a D'addario Prelude cello strings on Amazon ($64 dollars for them! I've seen cheaper Chinese-made strings, but a common phrase is "you get what you pay for"). Maybe I'll try out a cord strap to hold it up while standing.
I had the neck angle flat like that on previous similar instruments and It plays well-enough for me. To get the string height, I build the neck in two pieces. First is the brace piece that goes through the box. The second is the neck/fingerboard/head proper (see diaghram above). I haven't tried zither pins on an instrument yet, but I'll just use some typical machine head tuners.
Yea, if you're gonna use real cello strings, then use real tuners. Have you tried zither pins yet? One piece, one hole, simple but you'll need a peg reamer to taper the holes? Which you can get from harbor freight for less than $10? Easy peasy
Also, you may want to put some back angle on the neck, it will play a lot nicer & resemble a cello more? Keep us posted on your progress 👍🏼
To make the picture larger: right click and select the "open image in new tab" option. I'm sorry I can't make my drawing larger itself.