Projects

I have several projects going on. Three involve finishing up instruments. One is the Strad I did on this blog. My varnish job had problems; some of it didn't adhere well. I tried taking the parts off that didn't stick, and putting varnish back over. That was a disaster. My hats of to restorers. I have the Gagliano viola and Plowden to glue up, and finish. Necks are part done, ribs and plates are done, but need tuning up. Shouldn't be too much to do on either. Then my latest:

I really liked this Maggini cello I saw photos of. I drew it up, and noticed at 1/2 scale it had a 195 stop, with the bridge were it was set (the notches and f holes are on center). For some reason I thought 5 string, and that's what I'm doing. I just started gluing the ribs today. The plates are roughed out, and need to get the final outline from the ribs before I can finish them up. For the scroll I took the Gofriller viola scroll, and unfurled it one turn for space for the extra string. I like the results.

The back sides and neck are cherry, and for the belly I have a chunk of poplar. I had it glued up as a viola back. It is very light and resonant. I decided to use maple instead because the poplar was just so plain. But for a belly it may work. If not I have a nice set of old bear claw Sitka as a backup.

The varnish is off the Strad. Came off easy with isopropyl. Watch the alcohol, your varnish might just peel off! I had to take the belly off to fix a crack. This red spruce is very chippy, as seems prone to splitting. Sitka is looking better. I'm ready to glue it back together but I have an issue. What is this?



I had the back and belly in the garage, and on the deck for a while, maybe a month, and there are black dots on the neck. They don't just rub off. I tried water and a paper towel. Oil, tripoli and chamois. Neither one touched them at all. Mold? What to do?

I've been working a lot on my devotional blog. Reading and watching youtube videos. Lots of buzz about September 23. I don't know for sure about it, but I don't want to be stupid either. I'm always ready.