MODEL 2 INSTRUMENTS

My Model 2 shape is designed for a variety of multi-course instruments: these two examples are a maple cittern and an English walnut mandocello. Most luthiers and players agree that the “sweet spot” for the placement of the bridge is the centre of the lower bout, which is why the sound of a 12 fret neck guitar is often preferred. Starting with this premise I designed the shape from scratch and as you can see the bridge is in the perfect position.

Having positioned the bridge correctly I turned my attention to the upper bout. As many players wish to gain access to the upper frets, I wanted this shape to be designed for a 14 fret neck with a cutaway and not look like a traditional shaped instrument with a bit chopped out.

One great advantage that this shape has for a mandocello or cittern, over the more traditional pear shape, is that it has a waist and therefore you can sit down and comfortably play it.

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