This photo montage video shows many shots of an instrument not described on this site previously, as well as early versions of our current instruments in production. The mystery octave violin is a working prototype of an instrument designed (completely) and built partially (thanks to a donor Chinese-made Chanot-type violin) by Don Rickert of Rickert & Ringholz. Don literally, to the horror of many I am sure, sawed (very neatly) the top, back and neck from the unwilling donor instrument. Everything else was replaced, including the bassbar, soundpost, end block, neck block and, most importantly, the ribs, which are 39 mm. instead of the standard violin 29-30 mm.
The carbon fiber veneer is decorative in that it covers up some aesthetic "issues" resulting from the sawing, etc. The instrument sounds great and we will produce it as soon as we find a suitable lutherie who is willing to build us a true Chanot-type with 39 mm. ribs...that seems to be a sticking point with traditional luthiers in Europe, who don't know how to deal with innovative variations from the tried and true old patterns.
The backing video is, as usual, Darci Jones of Fiddarci Lutherie and the band Hooley. We actually have a short video clip with audio of Natalie Haas, the world famous 'cellist, playing the Chanot-type prototype itself...I just know that it will turn up! Other notable players in the montage are Alasdair Fraser and Laura Risk. Alasdair Fraser either has, or will be recieving very soon, his new Rickert & Ringholz-Fiddarci Lutherie Cradley of Harmony Octave Violin.
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