ALFONSO OVAL FIEDEL
The instrument is based on the Oval Fiedels which are depicted in the miniatures of the 3rd Codex of the 'Cantigas de Santa Maria', by Alfonso el Sabio (Alfonso X), who was King of Leon and Castile from 1254 to 1284, and are preserved in the Escurial Library. The angle of the fingerboard together with the height of the bridge, which is slightly curved, enables the bow to clear the sides. The back and ribs can be carved out of one piece of sycamore or two parts, with an added arm and peg disc in the same wood. A cedar front with D-shaped soundholes is edged with African blackwood. The fingerboard and tailpiece are in plane tree. Ebony tuning pegs.
The tailpiece and bridge can be integral (that is the top end of the tailpiece has a foot resting on the soundboard which acts as the bridge, which was common at this time) or separate.
Tied gut frets are an additional extra to the
price, if required.
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 630mm
Maximum width: 203mm
Depth: 40mm
String length: 330mm
Tuning: c g d' a'