Seven string bass viol after Romain Cheron
When I received the drawings for this instrument I was amazed to discover that the outline of the body was almost identical to that of my anon 1649 six string model. Perhaps Cheron saw an instrument by that maker and liked the outline so much that he copied it! The string length is circa 70.5 cm and the belly bent in 5 pieces. The original of this instrument is now in the Musee Instrumental de Bruxelles.
The instrument below has walnut for the back and sides and cocobolo for the fingerboard, tail piece and pegs. The head is a winged angel, to the customer’s own design inspired by paintings by GF Watts.
The second instrument below has a maple body and boxwood for the fittings. The fingerboard & tail piece are veneered with walnut.