It might end up a Theorbo - Randy Roberts

[Randy Roberts]

After several years of trying to get rid of the idea, I’ve more or less resigned myself to trying to build a theorbo. Why is beyond me.
I've never done any sort of bowl backed instrument before, and my understanding is that not much of what I've learned with guitars will be of much use with this project so this may end up more Laurel & Hardy than anything.

David Van Edwards in England was kind enough to send me his measurements of the Christoph Koch theorbo of 1650 that is in the Berlin Museum of Music, and so that's what I'll be guided by for the most part.

[Jason Rodgers]

Dang, you ain't kidding with this theorbo business. Bring it on!

[Randy Roberts]

I’ve got as far as partially completing the mold

[Randy Roberts]

After totally inadequate study, and using totally misconceived ideas, I decided an instrument that is over 6 feet long should have an adjustable neck and that the neck extension should fold in half for travel. It would be nice if it stayed in tune when extended again. So I’ve thrown these wrenches into the pot also, and started prototypes for the neck,

[Randy Roberts]

as well as the neck extension.

[Randy Roberts]

When unwelcome house projects interfered with further progress.

I have no misconceptions that this thing is going to get finished during the challenge ( nor in my lifetime), but the challenge should be a nice kick in the butt to try to get a little farther along.
The first step is get my darn shop back.

[Steve Black]

If you made it a little longer, you could add oars and row it...

[Hans Bezemer]

Good start Randy!
Do you plan to use gut-strings or nylon?
What will be the tuning?

Made some progress with the unwelcome house projects?

[Mike Wilson]

A Theorbo! Watching with interest!

[Randy Roberts]

Well, finally got a couple hours to do "real" work and was able to rough shape the butt of the mold with a plane, spokeshaves rasps, and files.

Here's a shot of the tools above

[Neal Carey]

That's a really nice looking mold Randy! I'll be very interested to see your rib fitting process and hope you'll be able to have some detailed pics.

[Randy Roberts]

Thanks Neal,
It's pretty embarrassing to see how little I've been able to do on this since the last post. Lots of normal life getting in the way this summer.

After 12 years of trying to find what box I put the tool I need at the moment in, I've put the mold on hold while building a tool cabinet to store my most used stuff in one place, and have neglected progress on the theorbo. I'll continue to post progress as it occurs, probably in the "Other Stringed Instruments" threads, as I'm sure not going to finish in the running of this challenge. <g>