Japanese shamisen (three string banjo-type instruments) can be taken apart in a similar fashion. The neck has two joints that slide into eachother. The body also slides over one of the neck parts, so it can be taken apart completely, put into a box and carried by a geisha from one appointment in a teahouse to the next. My shamisen is over 50 years old, and the joints still fit perfectly. I can put the middle part of the neck two ways, even, without feeling the joint. I can see the joint, though, as the parts are made of different pieces of wood. The joint shows hairlines exactly at fifth and seventh 'fret' positions, a very convenient visual aid, as a shamisen doesn't have frets. Just likes David van Edwards' foldable theorbo, the strings are kept at bridge and pegs for greater convenience and longevity.
David ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Van Edwards" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 11:44 AM Subject: [LUTE] Flying theorbo > Dear All, > > I apologise for the blatant advertising but some of you may be > interested in seeing the "folding" theorbo I have recently made for > Lynda Sayce, which is designed to pack up small enough to fit into a > standard airline seat. > http://www.vanedwards.co.uk/40a.htm > > This has been a long time in the planning and making but it took its > successful maiden flight last week. > > Best wishes, > > David > -- > The Smokehouse, > 6 Whitwell Road, > Norwich, NR1 4HB > England. > > Telephone: + 44 (0)1603 629899 > Website: http://www.vanedwards.co.uk > > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >
