MEDIEVAL FIDDLE
Fiddle is an accepted generic term to name the set of different bowed string instruments of the medieval period. This broad group could be differentiated into two categories. On the one hand the gigue, instrument with 3 strings, with a body mostly in the form of eight, without a differentiated fingerboard, played on the knees and used mainly for ecclesiastical singing. And on the other hand, the vielle, with 2 to 5 strings (grouped in 2 double courses plus 1 drone, sometimes arranged outside the neck), pear or oval shaped body, raised fingerboard overlapping part of the soundboard, and represented in profane music background, widely played on the shoulder. This form acquired, with the passage of time, smooth recesses that would improve the passage of the bow, when playing single strings.
SANTIAGO GIGUE
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This body shape is widely represented in stone carvings and manuscripts from the 12th and13th centuries, especially in France, England and NW Spain. Besides the body design, its common characteristics are 3 simple strings, flat headstock and a short fingerboard flush with the soundboard.
Eight- shaped fiddle based on the Portico de la Gloria of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (S. XIII). Monoxile body carved in linden with spruce top. Finished with oil and strung with gut. String length: 320 mm. Price: €1,100 Vertical Divider
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SAN ISIDORO FIDDLE
3-string fiddle based on stone carvings in Saint Isidore Basilica (León, Spain, 1065).
Sides and neck cut from a single piece. Spruce flat top. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 320 mm.
Proposed tuning: d'-g'-d''
Weight: ±500gr.
Price: € 700.
Sides and neck cut from a single piece. Spruce flat top. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 320 mm.
Proposed tuning: d'-g'-d''
Weight: ±500gr.
Price: € 700.
PYRENEAN FIDDLE
Among the multiple representations of fiddles that we can find in medieval iconography, there is one that is equally pear-shaped but with a narrow body and more or less circular pegbox, and which is repeated in works on both sides of the Pyrenees between the 11th and 12th centuries. This is the case of the book of psalms dated 1050 (preserved in the National Library of France), a capital of the Cathedral of La Seu d'Urgell (early 12th century) or the bas-reliefs of the Abbey of St. Pierre in Moissac (France, 12th century).
I have designed this fiddle model trying to unite these common characteristics in a handy instrument but with great sound projection and penetrating timbre.
The body is monoxile, carved from European hardwoods and with a spruce top. It is finished with oil and wax and strung with lamb gut.
SL: 320 mm.
Proposed tuning: d'-g'-d''
Weight: ±500gr.
Price 3 strings: €700
Price 3 orders: €1100
I have designed this fiddle model trying to unite these common characteristics in a handy instrument but with great sound projection and penetrating timbre.
The body is monoxile, carved from European hardwoods and with a spruce top. It is finished with oil and wax and strung with lamb gut.
SL: 320 mm.
Proposed tuning: d'-g'-d''
Weight: ±500gr.
Price 3 strings: €700
Price 3 orders: €1100
XELMÍREZ FIDDLE
4-string fiddle based on sculptures at Xelmírez Palace (Santiago, 13th C.)
Neck and sides cut from a single piece of birch. Carved back and top. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 320 mm.
Proposed tuning: g-d'-g'-d''
Weight: ±600gr.
Price: € 1,900.
Neck and sides cut from a single piece of birch. Carved back and top. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 320 mm.
Proposed tuning: g-d'-g'-d''
Weight: ±600gr.
Price: € 1,900.
OVAL FIDDLE
This was a much more common model of fiddle, as evidenced by the numerous representations, between 12th and 14th centuries stone and manuscripts throughout Europe. Most of them show us instruments with a solid hollowed headstock and, sometimes, even a longer fingerboard over the soundboard. They were strung with two double courses plus a lateral drone (1 + 2 + 2). This curious configuration was explained by Jerome de Moravia in his Tractatus de Musica, where he also tells about the possibility of stringing the instrument with five single strings.
We can see the side drones, a century later, in the lira da braccio.
I make this fiddles cutting neck and sides from a single piece of wood, and then glueing the vaulted top, back and fingerboard. Finished with oil and wax.
Proposed tunings:
SL 320 mm: d'-g'g'-d''d'' / d'-g'-g-d'-g'
SL 390 mm: d-gg-d'd' / d-g-g-d'-g'
Price: € 1,900.
We can see the side drones, a century later, in the lira da braccio.
I make this fiddles cutting neck and sides from a single piece of wood, and then glueing the vaulted top, back and fingerboard. Finished with oil and wax.
Proposed tunings:
SL 320 mm: d'-g'g'-d''d'' / d'-g'-g-d'-g'
SL 390 mm: d-gg-d'd' / d-g-g-d'-g'
Price: € 1,900.
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SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA FIDDLE
5 strings or 3-courses fiddle, based on the sculpture of the Cathedral of El Salvador in Santo Domingo de la Calzada (La Rioja, Spain, 1200).
It is probably the only representation of a medieval fiddle of this size and courses configuration.
Neck and sides made out of one piece of linden with carved back. Carved spruce top. Cherry tailpiece and fingerboard. Almond pegs. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 480 mm.
Proposed tunings: d-gg-d'd' / d-gg-d'-g'
Weight: ±1200gr.
Price: €1900.
It is probably the only representation of a medieval fiddle of this size and courses configuration.
Neck and sides made out of one piece of linden with carved back. Carved spruce top. Cherry tailpiece and fingerboard. Almond pegs. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 480 mm.
Proposed tunings: d-gg-d'd' / d-gg-d'-g'
Weight: ±1200gr.
Price: €1900.
3-STRINGS LATE-MEDIEVAL FIDDLE
Based on italian paintings from the 1st half of the 15th Century. Flat top, 3 strings.
I make these fiddles bending thin sides and gluing neck, top and back.
Proposed tunings:
SL 320 mm: c'-g'-c''
SL 370 mm: g-d'-g'
Price: € 900.
I make these fiddles bending thin sides and gluing neck, top and back.
Proposed tunings:
SL 320 mm: c'-g'-c''
SL 370 mm: g-d'-g'
Price: € 900.
4-STRINGS LATE-MEDIEVAL FIDDLE
Towards the second half of the 14th century, a hitherto unusual box shape, with smooth curves, is gaining popularity, and which today would remind us of a guitar.
In the iconography, which is above all pictorial, we find instruments of considerable size, with fretboards both flush and raised on the soundboard and 3 to 5-string setups.
Based on diverse iconography, I have designed an instrument that adapts to the convenience of the modern player, with a curved bridge, vaulted top, raised fingerboard and 4 strings.
Proposed tunings:
SL 320 mm: g-d'-g'-d''
SL 390 mm: d-g-d'-g'
Price: €1,800.
In the iconography, which is above all pictorial, we find instruments of considerable size, with fretboards both flush and raised on the soundboard and 3 to 5-string setups.
Based on diverse iconography, I have designed an instrument that adapts to the convenience of the modern player, with a curved bridge, vaulted top, raised fingerboard and 4 strings.
Proposed tunings:
SL 320 mm: g-d'-g'-d''
SL 390 mm: d-g-d'-g'
Price: €1,800.
ANTIQVVS Ensemble, Sefardi Song (S.XIII-XIV).
Josep Cánovas, fídula.
Josep Cánovas, fídula.
