Most recent 5-string fiddle in the works...sealer coat only

[Chet Bishop]

This is a five string fiddle made from wood given to me by a friend...no idea of the origin...he just finally decided he was not going to make a fiddle, and asked that I use it to make one...so, here it is. I will post again when it is complete.
http://www.bluefiddles.com/2015/06/late ... -complete/

[Randolph Rhett]

Wow. I love the esthetic. That purfling detail is perfect!

[Jason Rodgers]

Very nice, Chet! Does that top have some extra wood up the center, or is that just a change in grain color?

[Chet Bishop]

I have seen such stuff before, and I think it is just the sapwood-- it looks different, and responds differently to varnish. You'd love the back, though-- it had pretty severe runout, so if you tip it one way longitudinally, the treble side is light and the bass dark, but tip it the other way and the colors reverse. (Ah well, the price was right, and it won't affect the tone a bit.)