Two piccolos

[Jim Garber]

The two piccolos are shown here with a full size Vega bowlback for comparison.

The middle one is a Leland piccolo 10.25" scale and the other is recently acquired unlabelled bowlback with a 9.5" scale.

[dunbarhamlin]

Thanks for this Jim.
Am in the middle of a 'Vega' cylinderback piccolo at the mo, so it's good to see side by side comparisons, since my design is necessarily an extrapolation.
Cheers
Steve

[Jim Garber]

Steve:
I assume that you are somewhat into the building process already. If not I can send you some measurements.

I have the Leland strung with J62s and tuned up to CGDA (one octave above a mandola).

I just got the no-name and have to get that crack fixed and a bridge made. The ultimate challenge will be to find a case. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[dunbarhamlin]

Hi Jim

The first prototype is underway - rib and back bending forms and body mold done, fingerboard slotted, neck blank roughed out, neck block shaped, top and back jointed and joined ready for rosette/scratch plate inlay and bending (cylinder back and top crease.)

Measurements would be great - if I could have enough to get some idea of body volume and top area(s), it would give me an idea of how best to adjust body depth before I reach the 'suck it and see' point. Also give me an idea of what size the next should be http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

(I don't have my measurements to hand - just remember I took the easy option (for playability too) and defined the nut at 5th fret of normal scale, and 8th fret body join. Can check them when I get home)

Cheers
Steve

[MikeB]

Hey, Jim,

How about a pic of one of the piccolos with your hand around the neck? Especially that tiniest one. Man, those must be tight to play! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[JeffD]

I have never played on a piccolo mandolin - how do they sound. Especially, how would they do in a duet with a regular sized mandolin.

[Jim Garber]

Here is an off-the-cuff recording I made with my crummy Mac mike of the Leland piccolo. It is played in the wrong key -- I was using mandolin fingering. But you can get an idea of the tone.

O'Carolan's Piccolo Concerto (http://www.classicalmandolin.net/piccolo96.mp3)

I have a feeling that the little bowlback I might be able to tune up a fifth above a mandolin or DAEB with the right strings and that very short scale.

They are pretty strange little instruments and I am thrown off by the short scale length. You can play that high on a regular mandolin so the main thing would be that the tone would be different.