Sorry, I've been away from the thread for a bit. I'm working with Brian Dean (www.bfolk.com) out of Montreal for this.
Here are my answers. The face plate of the style A is a weak design element aesthetically to me. It's a big blank slate (or rubber pad as the case may be). I don't see pearl inlay working in there given the fiddle head scroll. A channeled out or slotted headstock like on a Calace / Pandini may work better. It's something Brian Dean and I are exploring. I really appreciate the comments on restringing issues/challenges on that (thanks Mark). This is all still very much at the idea stage and Brian hasn't sketched it out yet. The mando isn't due until late March April 08 (sooner than I think).
An alternative, for those familiar with Brian's work, is some relief style carving in the face plate of a standard tuning machine headstock. I really like the rosettes Brian has carved (like on lutes) in lieu of the finger rest. I'm thinking something more geometric than figurative would look cool (imagine some of the old church screens or rose window geometry with triquetas) and could be referenced in the faceplate of the headstock.
I'm not shooting for a full on L&H Style A copy but, a Style A inspired instrument that Brian and I can play with design elements and shoot for a real elegant beauty (and for me it's hard to do too much with the asymmetrical Style A as it's almost perfect). I want minimal or no plastic (binding or tuner buttons), probably only pearl position dots on the board and side, and hopefully some kind of more eco-friendlier finish. I want a very organic feel to the instrument. And the back and sides are going to be walnut for a warmer tone.
I set a budget and we may have to sacrifice this or that to meet it. We'll see what the economy holds. I'm looking forward to sketches and then getting really serious about bringing it all together. But, this is an exciting build process and this thread is like a reference library for me.
Jamie
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946
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