Russian Firebird Guitar-no mando content

[Walt Kuhlman]

We have been doing sound hole and relief carvings on instrument tops recently, and the Russian Firebird is a recent addition. Sitka top, Walnut neck and body.

[billhay4]

Nice. Where did you get that crazy walnut?
I'd also be interested in your comments on the design of this guitar.
Bill

[Walt Kuhlman]

I found the walnut at a lumber company owned and operated by a Mennonite family outside of Hagerstown MD. They had, what they called, 'colonial grade', and I sifted through about a thousand board feet before coming across this piece. It was an inch thick by nine ft. long, and ten inches wide. The board had two section approx. thirty inches long, and vertical grain, enough to yield several backs.

The design pays homage to the viol of the 1600's with it's body shape, tailpiece and bridge.

The firebird comes from Russian folklore.

[Marty Jacobson]

Wow! I love the gamba body shape, too. Lovely, Walt.

[billhay4]

Thanks, Walt,
Nice find on the walnut.
Cool design work there. I'd like to hear a sound clip of this.
Bill

[Jake Wildwood]

Wow, really cool.

Walt, by the way -- the fella that had your last instrument through the shop -- he's in love with it up there in Burlington. Keep em coming!

[Tavy]

Wow, that's sweet, love that carving, and the walnut too!

[PaulBills]

That's a bit gorgeous, that :grin:

[mandroid]

Had me thinking .. Жар-птица», Zhar-ptitsa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Firebird .. the Ballet ,

.. not the GM car..

[LongBlackVeil]

that would be a cool shape for a mandolin

[Paul Busman]

As a big fan of Stravinsky's The Firebird, I find that marvellous. Really beautiful workmanship in every little detail.
Have you ever found that soundboard carving like that makes the soundboard prone to cracking?
You could sell those carvings all by themselves!

[Russ Donahue]

Amazing and beautiful. Glad you posted. And as was said earlier, that would make a cool Mandolin or OM design...