5+5

Dan Trueman saw a 5-string Setesdalsfele I made for Vidar Lande. That fiddle had the shape of a normal Setesdalsfele, except that the body was broader. Dan wanted me to make something similar, but with a fatter sound. And it had to be suitable for playing comfortably along with violins..

The result was this fiddle. The body is broader and longer than a 4-string Setesdalsfele, and the string length is like a violin. It can be tuned in A, with normal Hardanger fiddle strings. Or violin strings can be used.

It is fitted with geared pegs, so no finetuners are needed.

After having played it for a few months, Dan made 2 recordings to demonstrate the dynamic and color range of the instrument. He made the recordings:
"..without any reverb, just in my dining room; very rough.
Recorded close with a DPA 4060 miniature mic; it's pretty dry, maybe harsh (the 4060 is a pretty bright sounding mic), but i didn't want to obscure the sound of the instrument itself, since that's what these recordings are for."

The Duncan
Tuning: DADAE from bottom string.

The Ways of the Underworld
Tuning: F#F#C#AE

Fiddle was set up with Hardanger fiddle (gauge:11) strings + a Pirastro Chorda viola C-string as the 5th, and played with a baroque style bow made by Michel Jamonneau.