Glad to see some experimentation happening.

I think the built-in amp would be especially handy for busking in places where amplifiers are not allowed.

Here's the new pics. Close ups of the pridge and tailpiece. My friend's semi-pro type photos are still in limbo I guess, so here are some i took with my camera.

Regards, Mike

the 2nd bridge picture shows the carving better.

I had understood that you had done this but could hardly come to terms with it...
Mike, you are a brave soul But here we are or or or or
Name your preferred reaction I just like to ride the idea...

What VG equipment are you using?
I am lucky that i have a good stable of musician friends and we all (or some of us) share equipment, so like I said in another post i got to try out an Axe Ultra, for an hour
but from another friend I have on 'extended loan' the new and pretty great GR-55
which has a cello sound that I think would be awesome with your instrument...

May the bravest souls catch the tastiest fish or have the prettiest girls in their dreams
*j*
.~

hey JRJ,

I use the GR-20. Behind the times, I am afraid. But I try to use it well.

Mike

Thanks, i am sure I am not the only one who would like to hear what it sounds like
`J`

I wish I could say that it sounds amazing. As an acoustic instrument it is still in development phase. It is very quiet. I have been shaving away at the mass of the bridge little by little and researching how to make an acoustic instrument louder. So far the most helpful insights have come from a mandolin builder, believe it or not.(I have tried to pattern my design after a bridge that he made, but on a larger scale) It is much louder than a regular Stick but not nearly loud enough to play for even a living room full of people. With the "block" pick up and gk-3, played through an amp, it sounds great. So far everyone swears it sounds more "acoustic" than it did as a regular Stick. I think it does too, but according to the science of the way the Stick and pick up work that shouldn't be possible. Anyway, for fear of becomming boring, I will leave it at that.

I don't have a recording of it yet, though as soon as the band I play in("Liquid Nixon", you can check us out on soundcloud or reverb nation, I think) has our next rehearsal, I will ask the guy who owns the studio to record something. Other than that, I am going to attend the NE stick seminar in June and will be bringing it with me for anyone there to check out.

Thanks to all for the encouraging remarks and suggestions. I may try to put some kind of speaker into it soon. We will see...it has sort of a pleasing look at the time being and I would hate to jeopardise that by putting a hole in the wrong place.

Mike

I would never dare to cut a Stick... Curious to try it out in June.
It will sound louder if you increase the tension in the strings I guess.


Cheers, Daniel.

I like the idea of a small amp in the body. Like a resonator with a little help.

Siggi Abramzik did exactly that! You can check-it out here http://www.abramzik.com/BlueTrax.htm

Cheers Daniel.

I was thinking of using something unconventional, such as a speaker system for a computer with a small subwoofer. It would be light(the instument is fairly heavy to carry around) and less conspicuous than some other choices. Plus, the one I have on my computer sounds great and can get fairly loud without distorting. I would need a pre-amp though. Anyway that will have to wait a while. I have got to a point where I am tired of working on it and just want to play it(and my new one) for a while.