NoirVelours said
Auction time!

Hmmm, that's what I'm thinkin'.

I might just have to bid on that e-bay auction!

I'd like a sound sample first though…. lol

hey, no problem here scott… just wanted to see your playing is all. I've asked nicely several times but you seem to just have lots of helpful hints and critiques and no samples of how it's done. I've even point blank asked for one (video sample of your playing ability) and got nothing, not even a reason why not.

I admire anyone who can make a living playing and I completely understand the different sounds of different guitars.

Just a little hard to take anyone serious if you can't show me what you got.

As far as the violin 'Ruby' goes, just because you named it didn't seem to me to be reason alone to get it… I thought it belonged to Cat and NV suggested an auction… which I agree, if she's headed for a new home, why not to one that will use it.

It ain't mine so I could care less either way. What Cat does with it is their business…and certtainly none of mine. Congratulations, if and when you get it maybe you'll post a video of it being played.

This is a fascinating thread.  I've been thinking of getting an in-the-white violin to work on, since I'd like an acoustic one to go with my electric.  I'm not bad at delicate/detail work and figure that even if I don't do it perfect, I could still end up with something playable and reasonably nice looking.  I don't think I would do any *worse* than some detail pics I've seen showing the flaws on cheap ebay or amazon type instruments. LOL

I have thought about making a violin for over two decades, ever since I was given a copy of Charles Ford's "Making Musical Instruments".  But back then I didn't have the tools or the experience with close tolerance work.  Some years working in an electronics plant and also doing some jeweler work helped with that.  I've ordered a new copy of that book (since I read my first copy to pieces), and I'm thinking of giving a try to finishing out a violin from in-the-white.

One way or another, I intend to get an acoustic violin/fiddle before too long.  Whether I find an old one going cheap that I can repair, get an inexpensive Made-in-China one, finish one out from in-the-white, or make one from scratch. LOL  I've wanted to try making on for decades now, but finishing one out from the white seems like a more realistic step in that direction.  If that goes well, who knows?  It would be worth it even just for the experience and the things learned about the workings and construction of the instrument. 

But like a lot of things in life, I don't feel I should put it off for too long.  When I passed the 50 yr old mark, I noticed my eyes don't focus on close-up work quite as well as they used to.  At present, using magnifiers more than makes up the difference, but I figure if I put it off for too many more decades, I won't be able to do the work.  Time to get some of those "someday" projects done.  LOL

Cat, this is a great thread, and it is fascinating seeing the progress and how you spotted and attended to various details to make a better instrument.  Thank you for putting it up.

Great job Cat! Ruby looks like she starting to look happy too