I was one of the original members of sawmill creek, but haven't been around in many years - so many that I don't recognize any names anymore...
I have made a few CBGs, and a Saxon box lyre, and am itching to take on my first "real" acoustic project. The CBGs started as the simple, fretless 3-string that everyone builds, but I tried to add sophistication with each new project - first frets, for a cigar box "greek baglamas", then frets and a scarf joint for the headstock on a 4-string "tenor CBG". Now I'd like to build something that actually sounds OK when it's not plugged in.
I've been trying to decide what to build - I want it to be something a little out of the ordinary, but also something that I'd play. One candidate would be to make a 10-string classical guitar (I'd eventually like to tackle a theorbo lute - saw the one George Wilson built in the SMC archives, and developed some heavy-duty covet problems..., but I'm a long way away from being able to make one of those...).
My question is, can I just modify the measurements for the classical guitar that's covered in the Natelson/Cumpiano book to accommodate more strings, or are there other structural changes that I'd need to make to handle the tension of 4 extra bass strings? I was planning to go relatively inexpensive, with cherry sides & back, either cherry or maple neck, and a cedar top. (I'm expecting to have to throw away some wood on this first build...).
If that's not a good way to go, does anyone have any experience with any of the plans that are available online? (There are a number of them out there ...)
Thanks in advance!