Musical Instruments

[stradibarrius]

I haven't seen a thread for musical instruments so I thought would start one. Shots of just the instrument or of it being played, repaired, moved or what ever else you might do with or too a musical instrument.86809

[stradibarrius]

86810

[bob carnie]

868318683286833

Here are a few from my solarization series, one is a complete mistake but I like it , the other two are the instrument and the case.

[JBelthoff]

Just one of my guitars... :p

Sinar P 4x5 with a Rodenstock 150mm Sironar on Ilford Delta 100 film. Developed in XTOL 1:2.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8133756783_1cc2b73072_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbelthoff/8133756783/)
The Axe… (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbelthoff/8133756783/) by JBelthoff (http://www.flickr.com/people/jbelthoff/), on Flickr

[Corran]

Good idea strad!

Here's my piccolo (a Powell Custom). I was just messing around with some new hot lights when I took this last year, and trying out extreme movements for DOF control. I think it was with a 150mm G-Claron:

http://www.oceanstarproductions.com/photosharing/0196s.jpg

[Preston]

My Shanti Guitar and Red Fir, Sonora Pass, CA

http://www.gildedmoon.com/images/canp/677-1-Web.jpg

Tachihara 4x5
210mm Schneider Symmar-S
Astia 100F

Nice work, folks!

--P

[Peter De Smidt]

I haven't seen a thread for musical instruments so I thought would start one. Shots of just the instrument or of it being played, repaired, moved or what ever else you might do with or too a musical instrument.86809

That's a lovely instrument. By any chance did you make it?

[stradibarrius]

yes I did thank you Peter. That is how I make my living...making violins.
Bryan, The piccolo shot is really nice

That's a lovely instrument. By any chance did you make it?

[Ralph Weimer]

Redwood/cherry mountain dulcimer

87125

[stradibarrius]

Nice Ralph! do it sound as good as it looks?

[Ralph Weimer]

Thanks, stradibarrius. She's got a complex voice for a dulcimer, but retains the frailty that's the charm of the instrument. The redwood, I think, darkens its tone. I wish I still lived close enough to Mt. View , AR, to visit the shop each year like I used to.

Ralph

[Steve Smith]

Here is one of mine. It's an awful picture and I will try to replace it with a better one tomorrow but it gives you an idea.

It's my version of a Selmer Modele Jazz as used by Django Reinhardt. According to the label, I made it in 1995. Doesn't time fly?!!


87146

Wrong tailpiece and temporary bridge - but It's only been playable for eighteen years - give me time!


Steve.

[mandoman7]

http://theblood.smugmug.com/Other/LF-Forum-Photos/i-nR2nzC5/0/L/f4-%231-L.jpg

http://theblood.smugmug.com/Other/LF-Forum-Photos/i-JgHqfrX/0/L/f4-%232-L.jpg
1921 Gibson F-4 mandolin.
Chamonix w/projection petzval

[Steve Smith]

Nice. A mandolin is on my list of things to make. It won't be as nice as that though. It will probably be solid made from some oak I recently acquired.


Steve.

[stradibarrius]

I like both of these! Steve how does that one sound?? Mandoman beautiful "F" model.

[stradibarrius]

Ralph, I would agree the redwood would more than likely darken the tone.

[Steve Smith]

Steve how does that one sound?

It sounds quite authentic when fitted with Argentine strings. I think I made the top a bit too thin though. If you leave the A string un-damped whilst playing other strings, the top and the string resonate a bit. A local guitar builder suggested gluing some small strips of veneer on the inner surface but I didn't try that (and I doubt that I will now).

The local guy is great. He's really a violin maker but will often make a mandolin or guitar by request. So far he has made about twenty guitars and each time he states that it will be his last!

http://www.mhsi.co.uk/maker.htm

I was lucky enough to have him as my woodwork teacher at high school.


Steve.

[Steve Smith]

Double post (idiot!).

[JoeV]

McSpadden dulcimer, Harman DPP in Speed Graphic, 150mm binocular lens.

~Joe

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/6858306042_51ee2f9f69_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31285363@N07/6858306042/)
Dulcimer001a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31285363@N07/6858306042/) by jvcabacus (http://www.flickr.com/people/31285363@N07/), on Flickr

[Ralph Weimer]

I like the abstract quality of that lovely image, JoeV. A dulcimer doesn't lend itself to the type of shadings stradibarrius photographed so well with his fiddles-- Flat vs rounded. But I like the gradient of light on your picture. Looks like you've got the DPP well under control. Pretty teardrop, too.

[al olson]

How about a little Mozart? Linhof Color with front tilt.

http://www.photo-artiste.com/images/largeformat/clarinetconcerto2007big.jpg

[stradibarrius]

A sot of my work bench. My first experience with Pyrocat HD. I over exposed about a stop I think.
Sinar F2, Schneider 180mm, Pyrocat HD 1.5+1+150 stand 1hr. Arista EDU 100 @50
87373

[Corran]

Really nice Al...very poignant too for me. A good friend of mine, who is the clarinet professor at the university I work at, just got diagnosed with serious cancer and from what it appears he might not live much longer. His last name is also Olson.

Strad...I like it! I should take one of my bench where I do instrument repair.

[David Lobato]

My cheap copy bought on a whim many years ago. Pardon the window, it shows evidence of my cats.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/55432652/4X5%20Violin%2001%20700LFF.jpg

[al olson]

Really nice Al...very poignant too for me. A good friend of mine, who is the clarinet professor at the university I work at, just got diagnosed with serious cancer and from what it appears he might not live much longer.

. . .

Thanks for the compliment, Bryan. I understand. Two years ago I lost a good friend and fellow photographer.

[stradibarrius]

Tight shot of a violin bridge.95331

[stradibarrius]

McSpadden dulcimer, Harman DPP in Speed Graphic, 150mm binocular lens.

~Joe

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/6858306042_51ee2f9f69_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31285363@N07/6858306042/)
Dulcimer001a (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31285363@N07/6858306042/) by jvcabacus (http://www.flickr.com/people/31285363@N07/), on Flickr
What a beautiful shot!

[cjbroadbent]

4x5 Ektachrome with a black silk stocking.
95390

[lenser]

A friend who was an instrument repair person and who also restored the metal on several brass lenses and camera parts for me, loaned me all of these from his stock of cannibalized items from his store. He worked out of an old hotel and about ten of the old bedrooms were his warehouse of parts bodies.

4x5 Cambo SCX with 210mm Caltar. Single light source 3x4 Photoflex soft box overhead and some white foam insulation reflector cards in front and on sides.

[Corran]

:)
Very cool! I like the rose. Almost poignant, with all the abandoned instruments.
It speaks to me though...I worked in instrument repair for 7 years. Still assist the local repair guy occasionally, a good friend of many years.

[lenser]

Thanks, Corran.

I remember liking the overall set up with only the instruments, but feeling that something else was needed. I wasn't consciously trying to make a statement, but the rose just seemed to "fit" with the mood of the composition. The original prints were slightly toned with selenium and then hand colored with Marshall's oils. Of course, the scan was colored in Photoshop.

[Don Dudenbostel]

9838798388Here are a couple of 5x7 collodion images. The sax is an old C melody and the Tuba is ???.

[Corran]

lenser, that sounds like quite a nice print. I would love to see one in person. Is this a new shot/print, or something you pulled from the archives?

[lenser]

Definitely from the archives. It was made sometime around 1980-84. I am terrible about dating negs, I no longer have any of the original prints (I only made two), but one of my cousins has one of them near St. Louis. That one was was a 24x30. The other one was a 16x20 and I can't recall now who may have it. It was some portrait client that saw it on my studio wall and bought it for decor. This is one I definitely want to work with again when I get my next darkroom set up.

[Corran]

Well if you ever make another one, let me know...the instrument repair business was my life for a while, and my friend who still owns his shop kinda wanted me take over his business (I still have a key to his shop, ha). No idea what you charge for prints but if I could it'd be one I'd buy. Maybe even just for him. Or maybe if you ever would do it, a print exchange! :)

[stradibarrius]

Great shot lenser. Is the rose hand colored?

[lenser]

Corran,

I don't have a wet darkroom set up right now. Would you consider a digital print? I'm sure we could work something out as far as a swap or price.

I am very flattered that you have an interest in this and I certainly understand the historical connection in your life. (You should see all the photo stuff in my collection. My kids may accuse me of hoarding any day now.)

[lenser]

Thank you , Strad.

In this scan, my go to person for retouching was able to digitally introduce the colors.

In the original wet prints from decades ago, I did hand color the rose with Marshall's Photo Oils.

Tim

[Corran]

Oh sure, if you are doing prints that way these days, and are happy with the results, I don't have any qualms with that. My color work is digitally printed. Still doing wet prints for b&w when I can.

I've done some print trades, which are always nice. Maybe you can check out my blog linked below or you've seen work here that I've posted and like something? Anyway, shoot me a PM if you want to discuss further. :cool:

[JoeV]

Harman DPP in Speed Graphic, 150mm binocular objective at 20mm aperture.

~Joe

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/6858306042_169e6e1aef_o.jpg

[o4trix]

http://nickcookphotography.com/files/gimgs/34_orgelwerke-1.jpg

1972 Flentrop Pipe Organ

[Pitcherman]

I took a couple of shots of my Electro lap steel to get some sheets to test in my JOBO Expert drum on my newly-acquired roller unit and to get a feel for the reciprocity failure with HP5+. the exposure recorded was 6 sec. @ f45. I was using my Super-Angulon f.8/90mm on my Omega 45. processed,in Pyrocat-MC.

99088

[Marvin d martian]

Been away from the site and photography for a while, back with some images,

Custom telecaster,
Adox 100 CHS in PMK pyro
Speed Graphic and un-named petzval

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/9667400034_6f956c1edc_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marvin-d-martian/9667400034/) tele6-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marvin-d-martian/9667400034/) by Marvin d martian100 (http://www.flickr.com/people/marvin-d-martian/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/9667399968_6d23aafe61_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marvin-d-martian/9667399968/) tele5-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/marvin-d-martian/9667399968/) by Marvin d martian100 (http://www.flickr.com/people/marvin-d-martian/), on Flickr

Mart

[Don Dudenbostel]

101332

How about an old cornet show on collodion.

[stradibarrius]

Don are you any relation to Len Dudenbostel in Tenn. He is a mandolin maker...any quite good too!

[Don Dudenbostel]

Yes, Lynn is my younger brother. He makes some beautiful instruments. Even if he is my brother I'd say he's a great guy.

I need to post an X-ray I did of one of his instruments.

I'm planning on going over to his place as soon as I get my portable darkroom up and do some collodion on him.

[Don Dudenbostel]

101387
Don are you any relation to Len Dudenbostel in Tenn. He is a mandolin maker...any quite good too!

Since you know my brothers instruments here's a little different rendition of one of his mandolins. It's actually an x-ray. I had to do it in two pieces and join them in PS. I've been doing the x-ray art work for 50 years. I do some very interesting imaging for both art and commercial use. It get's me into some cool stuff. I've done commissions for the the Weston Hotels, Universities, The Marina Bay Sans Casino in Singapore, currently doing a 6x10 ft image on canvas for the new Emory University Hospital lobby in Atlanta. I do annual reports and advertising imaging too. It's fun stuff! I'm also starting a commission piece for a vineyard next week.

Just sold a large print of this through my Nashville gallery. It went into some special project for the music industry.

Don

[Don Dudenbostel]

101389While we're at at how about a cornet too.

It's on green sensitive x-ray film. I just bypass the camera and capture the "light" direct on film.

This image also went into the same project in Nashville as the mandolin.

[guyatou]

Don --

I checked out your Web site. Great work! Your collection of X-rays is impressive. Do you have an X-ray machine at home, or do you just take frequent visits to the dentist? :)

[Don Dudenbostel]

I do have x-ray equipment but nothing like a Dr or dentist would use. Much of the work with plants / flowers was done with equipment I built. Until a few years ago there wasn't much commercially available to do this kind of work. It requires energy levels so low that a plastic bag over the film absorbs a large part of the energy. I've even worked at such low energies I had to pull a vacuum on the subject to keep the air from absorbing the rays. the process shares a lot with regular light photography but adds the element of energy levels / penetration of the subject.

It's fun stuff to do.

Thanks!

[JeRuFo]

Shot as a long exposure test for fomapan 100. I have experience and data up to about two minutes, but there is little out there beyond that.

Told myself I shouldn't take it too tight, but the negative holder cropped off more than I wanted anyway. The Yamaha sticker on the right and the hinge in the top left are well within the borders of the negative. I thought putting them in whole lend a bit of rest to the composition. I don't really have any experience with shooting still life and in hindsight I should have put more work into getting the composition just so, even for a test shot. A million things to learn still.

I shoot fomapan 100 pretty much like a color negative film. I place the darkest shadows on -2/-2.5 and let the highlights fall where they may (unless they get too crazy). I shoot it at EI 32.

Measured 6 min@f22 1/2 shot 100 minutes
Developed in XTOL 1+2 for 14m @21C with one inversion every 2 minutes.

Exposure turned out pretty much as planned.

101968

[jcoldslabs]

The tones look really good; your exposure and development plan worked well. I've shied away from Fomapan in LF because of its poor reputation where reciprocity is concerned. I've been shooting some really slow films lately with indoor exposures in the 5-10 minute range, but 100 minutes? You are a patient person!

Jonathan

[JeRuFo]

An hour and a half is a bit extreme. I wanted to test it because I want to try a long exposure like that on a lanscape shot with some architecture in it during sunset. I definetely don't want to sit outside for that amount of time all set up and not get the exposure correct. At least here I could make dinner, watch some tv and then start developing the shot.

[rcmartins]

An hour and a half is a bit extreme. I wanted to test it because I want to try a long exposure like that on a lanscape shot with some architecture in it during sunset. I definetely don't want to sit outside for that amount of time all set up and not get the exposure correct. At least here I could make dinner, watch some tv and then start developing the shot.
I am also very interested in your results. I have tried something similar, but with different developers (R09 aka Rodinal and Pyrocat HD) and got much worse results with a contrast range way too expanded. Zone 7 ended on zone 11 with an exposure of 120 minutes. I did this test using both a step wedge and outside shooting.
Please correct me if I am wrong, but two things could justify the differences I see between this great photo of yours and my results. One is the developer. I have never used Xtol and don't know if for that dilution it is a highly compensating developer or not. The other is a possible difference between light contrast in the scene. My tests were of light scenes that spawned 8 to 10 (step wedge) zones. Was this a high contrast or low contrast scene? Thank you.
raul

[JeRuFo]

Mine was by no means a scientific test. I had never exposed foma 100 for more than 15 minutes and wanted to see if the contrast wouldn't become too much of a problem and if my estimated exposure times were at all accurate. I'm always happier flying by the seat of my pants than doing rigorous testing, so I'm not sure if I can be of any help to you. I only did this one shot and thought I could repeat it today if it didn't work out at all.
I was afraid the contrast in this shot would be too high. I placed the deepest shadows, in between the hammers (on the strings on the bottom left of the attached crop), at -2.5 (EI 32) and the brightest highlight (the keys on the bottom right) were at +3.5 at the start and at +3 at the end of the exposure. The shadows are exactly where I wanted them, there is still some room in the highlights for a bit longer development or an even longer exposure, but the negative looks good and contrasty as is.

I dilute XTOL and reduce agitation to try and tame the harsh shadows of fomapan 100, but I don't know how it relates to other developers in this compensating effect. You could try to dilute your rodinal further and do (semi-)stand development, but a 4 zone difference is a lot.

I attached some crops from the shot. It is a bit of a quick and dirty test scan, so excuse the dust.

101995

[rcmartins]

I placed the deepest shadows, in between the hammers (on the strings on the bottom left of the attached crop), at -2.5 (EI 32) and the brightest highlight (the keys on the bottom right) were at +3.5 at the start and at +3 at the end of the exposure. The shadows are exactly where I wanted them, there is still some room in the highlights for a bit longer development or an even longer exposure, but the negative looks good and contrasty as is.
Great. The scene had an exposure latitude of 6 stops, and you managed to even slightly compress to 5.5 stops in density. Extremely good news - I was not expecting this to be doable with fomapan 100. Great news.


I dilute XTOL and reduce agitation to try and tame the harsh shadows of fomapan 100, but I don't know how it relates to other developers in this compensating effect. You could try to dilute your rodinal further and do (semi-)stand development, but a 4 zone difference is a lot.
I will try dilutions at 1:100 and minimal agitation for rodinal and semi-stand for pyrocat HD. It is true that when I tried to assess the reciprocity for fomapan 100 I was doing drum development which might not be the best approach. I have recently started trying semi-stand for Pyrocat and your results have gave me the urge to try.
Thank you.
raul

[stradibarrius]

125271This is a shot of a violin top being hollowed out or "rough graduations"
Chamonix 045F1, G-Claron 150mm f/9, TMAX 400, Rodinal 1+50

[alavergh]

Good idea strad!

Here's my piccolo (a Powell Custom). I was just messing around with some new hot lights when I took this last year, and trying out extreme movements for DOF control. I think it was with a 150mm G-Claron:

http://www.oceanstarproductions.com/photosharing/0196s.jpg

Cool! I've photographed my flute and piccolo too but never large format. I've got a Powell Conservatory and a Hammig Piccolo.

I know I'm late on commenting but search "Andrew Laverghetta Vivaldi" on YouTube and you should find it.

[Corran]

Nice! I also have a Powell Conservatory flute. Hammig was one of the piccolo brands I tried, but settled with the Powell.

Found your recording on YT, very cool. I actually performed the 3rd movement of the Vivaldi in a concerto competition and also arranged it for flute choir w/ solo piccolo in my later undergraduate years, about 6 years ago. Actually hey, found that mp3 on my server.... (oceanstarproductions.com/Piccolo_Concerto_-_Vivaldi.mp3) I meant to arrange the other two movements and try to get it published but never got around to it.

Where did you study?

[Jmarmck]

This is cool.

One of the most distinctive heads ever made. D' Angelico. This on an early Excel EX-DC.
TMY D-76 Nikkor 5.6/150
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=116833&d=1402954830

It is nearly that time of year when the early morning sun comes in my filthy glass doors and provides some wonderful light on the guitars. This will be my first year with a LF camera.

[NiNo]

101968
i posted this image, but i have to do it one more time :)
ahmmm, and i didnt see your bild before

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5608/15437478528_3782040e1c_c.jpg

and another one (my attmept to make a carbon transfer print)

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5602/15824249031_ee70af6c9f_b.jpg

[stradibarrius]

This is an amazing guitar and a wonderful photo!

This is cool.

One of the most distinctive heads ever made. D' Angelico. This on an early Excel EX-DC.
TMY D-76 Nikkor 5.6/150
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=116833&d=1402954830

It is nearly that time of year when the early morning sun comes in my filthy glass doors and provides some wonderful light on the guitars. This will be my first year with a LF camera.

[stradibarrius]

Your musical instrument shots are wonderful!
Shot as a long exposure test for fomapan 100. I have experience and data up to about two minutes, but there is little out there beyond that.

Told myself I shouldn't take it too tight, but the negative holder cropped off more than I wanted anyway. The Yamaha sticker on the right and the hinge in the top left are well within the borders of the negative. I thought putting them in whole lend a bit of rest to the composition. I don't really have any experience with shooting still life and in hindsight I should have put more work into getting the composition just so, even for a test shot. A million things to learn still.

I shoot fomapan 100 pretty much like a color negative film. I place the darkest shadows on -2/-2.5 and let the highlights fall where they may (unless they get too crazy). I shoot it at EI 32.

Measured 6 min@f22 1/2 shot 100 minutes
Developed in XTOL 1+2 for 14m @21C with one inversion every 2 minutes.

Exposure turned out pretty much as planned.

101968

[Bruce Pottorff]

First time posting an image, comments welcome.






125427

[RSalles]

Bruce,

Beautiful, both pics,

Renato

[stradibarrius]

127512Chamonix 4x5, Claron-G 240mm f/9, FP4 in Pyrocat HD

[stradibarrius]

I love pioano FRame shots. The cello top is nice too, are you making it?

First time posting an image, comments welcome.






125427

[Daniele Minetto]

This is cool.

One of the most distinctive heads ever made. D' Angelico. This on an early Excel EX-DC.
TMY D-76 Nikkor 5.6/150
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=116833&d=1402954830

It is nearly that time of year when the early morning sun comes in my filthy glass doors and provides some wonderful light on the guitars. This will be my first year with a LF camera.

would be glad to see the entire guitar...

[Tracy Storer]

Beautiful one-piece back !


127512Chamonix 4x5, Claron-G 240mm f/9, FP4 in Pyrocat HD

[Michael Graves]

This is cool.

One of the most distinctive heads ever made. D' Angelico. This on an early Excel EX-DC.
TMY D-76 Nikkor 5.6/150
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=116833&d=1402954830

It is nearly that time of year when the early morning sun comes in my filthy glass doors and provides some wonderful light on the guitars. This will be my first year with a LF camera.

Is this the same make and model of guitar Brian Setzer used when he was with the Stray Cats?

[Mark Sampson]

When I saw BS and the Stray Cats (twice) in the early '80s he was playing an orange Gretsch Chet Atkins 6120. He sounded great, (and still does), but comparing that guitar to a John D'A is like comparing a '57 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman to the same year Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith...

[Jmarmck]

The D'Angelico Excel EX-DC is not of the same lineage as the New Yorker or other DA archtops. It was partially designed by John but was finalized and produce within the last 10 or 15 years. It is akin to the Gibson 335 body style. It is a thinline semi-hollow body style with a unique tinted tobacco sunburst, almost purple-ish. This is an earlier model with a tail piece bridge instead of the thru the body bridge and saddle setup.

The Gretsches that Brian Setzer owns are custom made and would probably put the EX-DC to shame pricewise. But I love my EX-DC. Of the other electrics I have the DA is my favorite for both playability and sound. I prefer it clean and clear but I have been know to dirty it up with the Fender Super Sonic with the signal looped back.

I have a couple acoustics I need to photography ya'll might like.

[stradibarrius]

128058Here is the scroll of a 5 string violin I just delivered to the customer. Violins are traditionally made from maple but I also use rosewood, bubinga, and zircote.
This violin is a rosewood model.
Chamonix 045F1, Xenar 210mm, FP4

[koraks]

Beautiful woodwork as well as photography! So this is basically a violin and a viola combined into one, with a C-string as an extension on the low side? I imagine it must be quite a challenge to get the right curvature on the bridge and the fingerboard in order to keep it playable.


Violins are traditionally made from maple
I may misunderstand, but aren't they traditionally made from spruce? At least mine is (I accompanied the builder of my violin when he purchased the wood). Or is that just the top/soundboard?

[stradibarrius]

Thanks Koraks, Spruce is just the soundboard/top. It is light, strong and responsive. Traditionally violin back, sides and neck are maple and the top is spruce. You are right, the 5 string violin has a "C" string added on the bass side. I have designed this so that it has the sparkle and cut of a violin in the upper register but the fullness of the "C" string. It opens up all sorts of possibilities if you improvise at all.

[aclark]

128058Here is the scroll of a 5 string violin I just delivered to the customer. Violins are traditionally made from maple but I also use rosewood, bubinga, and zircote.
This violin is a rosewood model.
Chamonix 045F1, Xenar 210mm, FP4

Interesting. Not heard of rosewood being used for a violin back. What effect does this have on the tone? Do you carve it thinner to get the same weight and response as maple?

Alan

[JeRuFo]

That's a beatiful piece, Barry. Love the rounded edges on the sides, gives it a far more organic look than the usual square edges.

[Jmarmck]

That is very nice Barry! I would love to hear it.

[koraks]

Thanks Koraks, Spruce is just the soundboard/top. It is light, strong and responsive. Traditionally violin back, sides and neck are maple and the top is spruce. You are right, the 5 string violin has a "C" string added on the bass side. I have designed this so that it has the sparkle and cut of a violin in the upper register but the fullness of the "C" string. It opens up all sorts of possibilities if you improvise at all.
That makes perfect sense, both the choice of wood and your approach to the 5-string concept. Years ago (10 or 15, in fact), I tested an electric violin with a 5-string Zeta element (those had just been introduced to the market back then) for a befriended builder. The design I tested required quite a bit of tweaking to make it playable, mainly due to the tight-rope balancing act of getting the curvature of the fingerboard right. It sure was a fascinating instrument to play! The builder mostly builds cellos now, btw. He has made some great sounding instruments...and he could barely play himself. It's astonishing how far his dedication and eagerness to learn has brought him.

[stradibarrius]

Thanks for the kind words. Here is a link where you can hear Tania Elizabeth play a Bubinga 5 string I made for her about 8 years ago. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rPulBxNYQQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-rIfSsKvlY
She plays with the Avett Brothers so you can hear her on any of their videos. Also you can hear a video and some sound clips on my website. I don't think I can post it here but if your interested PM me.
Actually violins are why I got into photography. Michael Darnton , an active member here at LF forum, Is a violin maker also as well as an amazing photographer. Years ago When I saw the violin photos of Michael I realized I needed to be able to take photos of my violins so he was my main influence.

[neil poulsen]

127512Chamonix 4x5, Claron-G 240mm f/9, FP4 in Pyrocat HD

That's a strange name for a violin.

[stradibarrius]

128112One more of the scroll, Really these were shot to test film and developer combo.
Chamonix 045 F1, Xenar 210mm, Foma100, Pyrocat HD