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You can get strings with gut, nylon and steel core. I like playing outside and I like to busk as well and steelstrings are not affected by changes in humidity and temperature. I used to play with gut strings. That's considered the "real" thing, but nylons are getting close. The difference is not so big and it has nothing to do with the difference between steel/nylon string guitars where it's two completely different beasts. On the violin, it's the same instrument and the string tension is the same. Anyways, all kinds of strings use the same type of E string (the high one) and its always steel.
maybe I,m well chuffed, but me notta know what strange word means. Me from Spain. the violin will change when varnished. It has a very open sound with a lot of reverbation now. There are a few weak notes. But we,ll see in amonth or two. I really like its so responsive.
I'm liking the sound - nice and even on what I heard - need some notes on the G and up the fingerboard too - they will develop as time goes on but always good to try all the different parts to check the colours. I'd be happy with this if it was me. Well done. I think that it will project well too but to judge you will need to get someone else to play and you stand at the other end of the room.
Chuffed means 'pleased with yourself' and you look happy. The legados have a pipe-like quality in their transition, like bagpipes - very Irish and I like that.
RE: Building violin no. 1 (in reply to Flamingrae)
quote:
I'm liking the sound - nice and even on what I heard - need some notes on the G and up the fingerboard too - they will develop as time goes on but always good to try all the different parts to check the colours. I'd be happy with this if it was me. Well done. I think that it will project well too but to judge you will need to get someone else to play and you stand at the other end of the room.
Thanks. Its nice to get some feedback. The sound will change with varnish on. Its difficult to say to much about the sound at this stage. The same goes for guitars without finish. The violin should get better with varnish on. Some of the reverbation will most probably be more controlled. Now the tone is big and open and maybe a bit to disoriented. I will take it to an Irish session in a bar, leave it with some of the other players and stand back and listen.
This violin I´ve made for myself and its going to be used mainly as a fiddle, playing folk, blues and other rythmical stuff. I know what kind of sound I want but I have very little experience on how to get there. Standard concert classical violins can be very "tight" or "tense" in the sound and they are not always the best for playing what I play. They can be difficult to relax on. But they work well with big orchestras. The very best violin I´ve ever played was an true Jacob Stainer (very expensive). It was so open, sweet and charming. Perfect for barok music, Mozart and Irish fiddle music. But maybe its to much to hope for a sound like that.
I´ve built this violin close to the thin and light limits and the box is tuned half a note lower than standard. If violins have anything to do with flamenco guitars, this should mean less tense and more relaxing.
When its been varnished we´ll know more, and within a year or so, we´ll know some more. The process has been fantastic and its notgoing to be my last violin.
I don't know jack about violins, but that sounds quite good!! Congrats on the result, and please share it with us again once the finish has been applied.
I especially enjoyed your little smirk throughout the video. Seems you are happy with your creation
Nice job Anders! I have a recent fascination with the violin and this only adds to it. I am looking forward to seeing #2! By the way, I have your blog book-marked and check for updates regularly, there, too. It's actually easier than the foro since I don't have to weed through all of the responses for new pics and video updates of your creations. :)
I dont discount anything. But I also know that life takes time and that it doesnt help much to make plans in the head when building instruments. You have to make plans with the hands. I will build number 2 after next summer. I dont have the time now. I have flamenco orders and I´m preparing for my first acoustic steel string.
AND... wow, one of those Benedetto solid wood archtops could really be something to do as well, besides, I like all the instruments in the mandolin family. So life might end up being to short, but an A type archtop mandolin for myself (they are so cute), and maybe an octave mandola and an Irish bouzouki... etc.....
Have you seen any Eastman Guitars? They're a Chinese company but they make some very interesting Archtops. They make some excellent instruments.
Are you going to be making a flat top with Mahogany back and sides? I came across a steel string with cypress back and sides, it got a great review. What kind of specs are you going for the steel string? 14 fret OM?
Tom, its so easy to sit down and make plans. Thats about the easiest thing to do, but to take them into action is another story.
My first steel string will be an OM14 sized guitar of my own design but based on the OM bracing. Basically, I´m not very fond of the Martin guitars shape. None of them actually. In my eyes, they are all slightly out of proportion. My (orchestral size) model will be a little bit bigger 5mm longer wider and deeper.
I´ve joined the plates and made the rosette. Its going to be a slow build. Back and sides will be flamed Ovangkol. I have some mahogany for the future. But its to fresh for now.
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That is a very nice piece of Ovangkol. I have a set too for a future steel string. My set has a lot of flame but not as much dark striping as yours. I like your set a lot.
I have both a Martin 000 which the same size as their OM but with a shorter scale and I have a Taylor GA. I prefer the body shape of the Taylor but the OOO is more comfortable to play as it is a smaller guitar with a thinner body. I like the rounded lower bout of your design. It looks like the upper bout of a Martin with the lower bout of a Taylor.
I also like how you made the steel string rosette with your design.
I agree with you about Martin guitar shapes, and I really like the direction you're going with this one. There are too many companies already copying the same old styles. I always gravitate towards larger steel string guitars.
Very pretty Ovangkol, by the way. Kinda reminds me of Walnut. I played a few Taylors with this wood, but can't say much because I'm not a big Taylor fan.
Will you go with a short, standard or long scale on this one? I personally love longer scales because I use a lot of low altered tunings.
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