This summer I have experimented with a new model based on the "Rawlins" NMM3976 a slightly shorter baroque guitar by Stradivarius. The string length and the body is shorter than both the "Hill" and the "Saboniari". To my judgement the Hill is one of the most widely copied baroque guitars in modern times but many guitarists are a bit puzzled by the long strings and if that is technically demanding to play. I have owned a drawing of the Hill for many years and previously thought that shortening the Hill or scaling the whole instrument down was a solution to those who want a shorter SL. The fact that the Rawlins is as wide on the lower bout as the Hill lead me to think this instrument is a better answer to those who want a shorter guitar, than scaling down a Hill. The benefit to the sound of a broad soundboard is better preserved this way. My first try on this model is not a copy but has all the dimentions correct. My suspicion that the neck has been shortened and the head refitted on the Rawlins lead me to conclude that this guitar should have 12 fretspaces on the neck and a SL of 70 cm. The Hill is 74 cm by comparison. This first one is a "made to play" instrument with focus on sound, not on ornaments . It sports a proper V-joint, ebony fretboard and halfbinding. Please note the original Stradivarius bridge, so light, flexible and important to the sound of theese instruments. I made this guitar for Kristian Nordeide, with a SL of 67 cm. The rose is made by him, he is a painter and musician . The next iteration will be in maple and a closer copy of the Rawlins but as I commented, string length 70 cm.
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