updates:

The 17" chincello is good, but not as impressive as I had hoped- it is a little better than the 16", but not sure it is worthwhile ( larger spread for fingers, and difficult size to get accessories for). Might be the lower tension with the longer scale length. I may look into some other tunings ( other than CGDA) to see if a higher first string helps. Maybe the equivalent of the ADAE or AEAE tunings for fiddle( first one or two strings up a step).

I have found some mandocello strings of the right gauges- they look like they will work for octave fiddles. Bronze instead of steel, but I'll see what the tone is like.

I have a set of steel (.022, .032, .044, .074) strings to try, but have my present OVs strung up with perlon strings to compare to each other. Once I have them graded and priced, I'll swap out the strings for the steel ones.


Still not sure if the modified violins ( new bass bar) sound better than the 14" violas ( no internal mods). I think the fact that each one is different before I modify it is a greater effect than the difference in my modifications.

I am presently just making the modifications, then having them graded vs the first OV I made- any that sound as good or better are good enough to sell. Most buyers will play several, and pick the one they like anyway.