NC Holly Leaf Pattern circa 1860s

Ken Hulme
07/28/19 05:51:23PM
@ken-hulme

Here's my almost finished latest build.  This is based on the Burnsville holly-leaf pattern from around the Civil War in North Carolina. The design came to light for the first time about 15 years ago, and was written up by Ralph Lee Smith in DPN.  This one is walnut top & back and several different cuts of maple for the sides, tuning head and tailblock.  7.5" wide, 1-1/8 deep sides, fretboard (1" high 1-1/8" wide) has 16 partial width staple frets laid out for just intonation.  27" VSL, 34" length over all.  My first violin peg head instrument, although I bought the pegs rather than carving them (that's a different skill set).

Finished 1.JPG

I just "haven't felt right" the last few days and would hate to screw things up at the end.  All that's left is to cut the notches, string it, and adjust the action.