Violin Forum/Message Board Forum Index Violin Forum/Message Board
Provided by Violin Vision
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

New Five-String Fiddle on the Way
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Violin Forum/Message Board Forum Index -> Violin Making and Restoration Forum
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:47 am    Post subject: New Five-String Fiddle on the Way Reply with quote

I am chronicling the building of a new 5-string fiddle, over on my website. It is a commissioned instrument for a person who wanted specific woods used (primarily Oregon woods), including Ipe for the fingerboard, saddle and nut.

The back plate is very wild-grained Big-leaf maple, and the belly is fine-grained Sitka spruce.

If anyone is interested, the link is here:
https://fivestringfiddles.com/2020/01/03/commissioned-handmade-five-string-fiddle-beginning/
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick M
Member


Joined: 18 Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada

PostPosted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 1:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I DO like your purfling and scrolls Mr. Bishop! Off to a nice start.

What gave you trouble with the Ipe? I’ve messed with it a bit and have to agree it does have its challenges.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Mon Jan 06, 2020 8:59 am    Post subject: Ipe challenges? Reply with quote

Extremely hard. This piece is harder than any ebony I have dealt with, so it is a lot of work to get the shape right, and you have to watch out for splinters all the time, or they will be in your skin.

I don't like the color when it is freshly cut, but it darkens nicely, especially with a little oil, and this customer had seen the Ipe fingerboard on a five-string cello I made, and requested it for her fiddle...so, here we are! It will be fine. It is just a lot of work, and not everyone appreciates the change. Ebony is really nice, but it is becoming more scarce, so....
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Rick M
Member


Joined: 18 Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I prepped a number of bow blanks not that long ago and quickly discovered the splinters that go along with Ipe!

Following your updates, looking really good. That one piece back should be lovely with some finish on it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Jan 07, 2020 10:13 pm    Post subject: New Five-String Fiddle on the Way Reply with quote

Thanks! I hope she loves it!

She is currently playing an earlier 5-string I made, as a loaner, while I build her custom 5-string fiddle. She is getting more and more happy with it. Four-string players have to "find a use" for that fifth string. She is finding low harmonies very satisfying.

I hope to complete the back plate this weekend.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 2:18 pm    Post subject: 5-string fiddle update Reply with quote

Here is another update: the body (corpus) is closed, leaving a fair amount of final carving and scraping before the instrument will be ready for varnishing.
https://fivestringfiddles.com/2020/02/03/commissioned-5-string-fiddle/

I think it will be a good fiddle. It feels good, and sounds good when I tap it.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 2:02 am    Post subject: Completed five string fiddle Reply with quote

Here is the final installment on that commissioned five-string, for anyone interested:
https://fivestringfiddles.com/2020/02/12/completed-five-string-fiddle/

The customer gave her enthusiastic blessing to my taking the instrument to the Wintergrass festival and exhibiting it with my other work, so that is where it is going next week. Smile
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
okawbow
Member


Joined: 31 Mar 2009
Posts: 63
Location: Southern Illinois

PostPosted: Thu Feb 13, 2020 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A lot to like there, Chet! Very nice!
Chuck
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
DonLeister
Moderator


Joined: 29 Mar 2007
Posts: 383
Location: Richmond, VA

PostPosted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree, that is a beautiful fiddle!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
Rick M
Member


Joined: 18 Sep 2016
Posts: 65
Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada

PostPosted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very nice as always. The tree may have done the work as you say, but you provided enhancements. I do like your purfling work, especially on the back, well done.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Sat Feb 15, 2020 1:15 pm    Post subject: Thanks. Reply with quote

Thanks, folks! I hope the exhibition at Wintergrass goes well. I have never been there before.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Borton
Junior Member


Joined: 22 Feb 2020
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Wed Feb 26, 2020 10:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never been there before either. When is it exactly, anyway?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Chet Bishop
Super Member


Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:27 am    Post subject: Wintergrass 2020 Reply with quote

The festival ran from 2/20-2/23. It was a very good experience, though we were too busy at our booth to go hear any of the bands.

We hope to go again next year.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Alexander90
Junior Member


Joined: 13 Jan 2021
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A must see!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Mat Roop
Senior Member


Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Tue Jan 19, 2021 3:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice work Chet!... anxious to see the progress and end result!
two questions... you indicated you use ball point pen to mark the shape of the plate... Are you not concerned some of the ink can run or stain? ... why not pencil?
Also, from the pictures of gluing in the bass bar I see you do not use temporary positioning cleats... are you not concerned that with the clamping pressure and the slope of the top, the bar can shift slightly toward the center of violin?... or do you use very light clamping pressure?

Never made a violin from scratch, but you are an inspiration... I might get there yet!
Thanks for posting... Mat
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Violin Forum/Message Board Forum Index -> Violin Making and Restoration Forum All times are GMT - 4 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group