While waiting for parts for my other build, I thought I would make a start on the Morin Khuur (Mongolian Horse Fiddle) electric concept idea. I have a traditional Morin Khuur (my wife is Mongolian) and have been trying to learn this awkward instrument for some time now. Despite having only 2 strings it is a nightmare to tune with its wooden friction pegs and multi strand horsehair strings, although mine are now the more modern nylon (130 strand for Morin, the male or stallion string, B flat) 105 strand for Khuur the female or mare string, F)
Although the instrument is beginning to surface in modern music, Jonon, The Hu etc , it is still mainly an acoustic instrument mic'd or fitted with piezo's etc. Fingering technique is somewhat alien to my western fingers as strings are about 15 to 20 mm above the finger board and are pinched or pushed with the fingernail while bowing in a sort of cello fashion (holding the bow upside down so as to be able to put pressure on the hairs from the inside) sitting with the instrument on the lap.
My masterplan is to create a similar instrument, solid bodied and electric, with flat-wound strings close to the fretless fingerboard. I will follow some traditional cues and westernise where it feels right to do so. I have used a 24" scale, my traditional one is 23 1/8"
I started with a fairly small lump of Spalted Ash and a length of Sapele for the neck. I was concentrating so much in getting the 3 degree neck lay back that I made the neck pocket a bit wide (doh!) so fillers already. The neck is bolt on to allow modifications if needed. The body will grow a bit as side wings are added to give the traditional trapezoidal shape, I will extend the back end by about the same amount. The angle of the neck is to get the strings at the bowing area away from the body, there will also be some relief to the body to accommodate the bow. The 2 string bridge will be mounted on a riser for the same reason.
I have temporarily set some bass tuners, the 3rd tuner hole is for a non sounding 3rd damped string that will start in a ferrule in the neck pocket and will run in a slot under the neck, it will be used to counter the tension in the neck in the absence of a truss rod, if indeed it is needed.
This is really just a project that popped into my head one sleepless night, we will see where it goes, but s the saying goes I'm playing this one by ear
first pic my traditional instrument, 2nd and 3rd the initial fabrication including fillets to correct idiocy, 4th and 5th, the neck set back angle
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The neck is bolt on to allow modifications if needed. The body will grow a bit as side wings are added to give the traditional trapezoidal shape, I will extend the back end by about the same amount. The angle of the neck is to get the strings at the bowing area away from the body, there will also be some relief to the body to accommodate the bow. The 2 string bridge will be mounted on a riser for the same reason.
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