The client has challenged me to modify this instrument (built by someone else) to be able to play independent of external amplification. It is intended to be used as a travel guitar, and carried in a backpack. It needs to be light weight, compact, and self contained. The problem is that the instrument is basically a diddly bow, and has no room for modification as is.
Solution… build an add-on body wing to house a battery powered amp & speaker system.
I ordered a set of 8 ohm, 1 watt, notebook computer speakers. I think that 4 speakers should work fine.
Next Step is to seal the wood work with shellac, and apply 4 coats of water based Acrylic Lacquer.
After it has been given time to cure good (aprox 72 hrs), I started to install the speakers and electronics.
Here is the control layout.
And here is the finished project.
G.S.Monroe 