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Thread: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

  1. #1
    Registered User wormtowndj's Avatar
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    Default Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    I've owned and loved this instrument for 25 years - it's the best sounding instrument (to my ears anyway), but it has always cut into my arm after a fairly short session of playing because it's so thick in the body or because I hold it too firmly or something. Anyway, I finally fashioned an armrest for it out of a cutoff piece of walnut I had and some special order viola chinrest hardware and cork, and I cannot tell you how much of a difference it's made in my ability to play it. It's decidedly not original, but at this point I do not care. Do any other cylinder (or bowlback) mandolin players have this trouble?
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  3. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    [Hack] Put an athlete's (tennis anyone?) elastic Terrycloth wrist sweat band
    on your arm to pad your forearm from the corner, with the sharp edge..

    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  4. #3
    Registered User liestman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    I just sit to play and angle the neck out so that my arm does not cross the sharp corner with any real pressure on the corner. It's better ergonomics all around.
    John Liestman -
    Eye new ewe wood lye kit!

  5. #4
    Registered User tree's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    Not a cylinder back or bowl back player, but I've made arm rests for 2 mandolins, and find them much more comfortable to play. It's a relatively easy project if you're the least bit handy.

    That's a pretty piece of walnut, BTW.
    Clark Beavans

  6. #5
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    I believe the "Cylinder Back" problem is the back edge is not parallel to the top edge..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  7. #6
    Registered User tree's Avatar
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    Default Re: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    Right, but it sounds like possibly the chinrest hardware was up to that challenge since each post can be adjusted individually.
    Clark Beavans

  8. #7
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Vega Cylinder Back - armrest solution

    A set of RH & LH taps can make a version of the tube part longer , the pairing is also used on turnbuckles..
    that is how they pull together when the center is turned ..

    I recall seeing, mentioned in passing on this site, Viola/Violin chinrest hardware, that is 2 separate pieces ,

    rather than joined with a more typical crossbar which then may need to be bent,
    so the threaded parts are parallel to each other, though the cross bar connection is at an angle..



    ...
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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