Early Guitars and Vihuela

A network for historic guitars and vihuelas

The Dias rib - fluted and purfled

OK, here is my take ... and it's a true story ;) This fluted rib is a close reproduction of the original that was recently discovered in Lisbon (alongside with a note ...) and is believed to be originating from the workshop of the famous maker of violas Belchior Dias. The legend goes that it was supposed to be stolen from his workshop, together with the rib bending device, by one of Dias' rivalling makers - Stepano Francesco de Barbaro. As it turns, this last one was never able to master the craft himself and was constantly engaged in furious pursuit of trade secrets from his fellow makers. Nevertheless the rib has survived ...

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Comment by Alexander Batov on May 23, 2011 at 17:42
That's right! And there is very little chance nowadays to be burned at the stake for doing that; well at least in this part of the world :)

The purfling is put in after the rib is bent, in a similar way / technique as on the Dias vihuela fingerboard.
Comment by Waling Tiersma on May 23, 2011 at 14:41

Stealing it must be a lot easier than producing it.

I've tried it myself without prufling. Can't think how on earth you do this with the purfling!

Comment by Alexander Batov on January 28, 2010 at 13:17
Thanks Rob. Make one person laugh is quite an achievement for me!
Comment by Rob MacKillop on January 28, 2010 at 7:23
Now, that made me laugh!

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