OK......so I was reading a nice article on by John Dilworth on Andrea Amati. He was writing about how lovely the scroll was and how it was superfluous .
It got me to thinking about a violin/viola design that only includes that which contributes to the sound, ergonomics, preservation, and stability of an instrument.
I was thinking of this in a number of ways:
1. Simpler instruments for students.
2. Better Ergonomics
3. Easier Building
4. Improved Sound
5. Lighter Weight
What would you leave on, what would you leave off. Think of it as a streamlined Art Deco violin, or minimalist, or anything you want. just include only what you think is really important.
While we are at it how about bows. I am a big fan of Gilles Nehr and his Tete Beche bows, he even has a new, really beautiful titanium tip in the works. I would have given anything for Glasser to leave the sharp point off student bows when I was teaching roomfuls of 4th graders every day.
I realize we all love the damn things just the way they are, but I love to deconstruct and simplify things sometimes.
Also almost any deviation from the norm does effect sound, just change chin rests ! So that can be a real problem