Hardanger d'Amore
Dev's own version of the Hardanger d'Amore, a 10 string instrument with 5 playing strings and 5 resonating understrings inspired by the hardanger fiddle.
The Hardanger d'Amore was first conceived by Dan Trueman who commissioned Salve Håkedal to build one in 2010. Since then, many players have fallen in love with the instrument because of its magical, sonorous sound aided by the understrings and the addition of the low C string, as well as the use of gut playing strings, which add a lot of scope for beautiful cross tunings.
Dev makes several different flavors of Hardanger d'Amores, featured below.
9-string Hardanger d'Amore
Top:
Reclaimed Spruce from a pipe organ
Back & neck:
Myrtle from the Pacific Northwest
Fingerboard, chinrest & tailpiece: Rosewood
Pegs:
Wittner Geared Planetary Pegs
f-holes:
Hardanger-style f-holes
Scroll:
Custom-designed by Dev
Tested strings:
Pirastro Violino (synthetic),
Pirastro Euduxa (gut)
Sympathetic strings: Light gauge steel
This instrument has an expansive and crystal sound with built-in reverb coming from 5 sympathetic strings running under the fingerboard. The concept driving this instrument is versatility. It marries the ethereal quality of the Hardanger with the classic feel and sound of the fiddle/violin.
This model has 4 playing strings and a standard violin scale length (330 mm), with an intermediate bridge and fingerboard arch between that of a Hardanger and a standard violin.
This instrument can be strung with synthetic or gut strings depending on the player's preferences. The synthetic strings enhance the sparkling sound while the gut strings allow for a warmer sound as well as expanded opportunities for cross tuning.
The Sailor's Bonnet played on a 9-string Hardanger d'Amore
10-string Hardanger d'Amore
Top:
Reclaimed Spruce from a pipe organ
Back & neck:
Myrtle from the Pacific Northwest
Fingerboard, chinrest & tailpiece: Rosewood
Pegs:
Wittner Geared Planetary Pegs
f-holes:
Hardanger-style f-holes
Scroll:
Custom-designed by Dev
Tested strings:
Pirastro Violino (synthetic),
Pirastro Euduxa (gut)
Sympathetic strings: Light gauge steel
This model, with 5 playing strings and 5 understrings, is also designed for versatility. The width of the neck is smaller than the 10-string grande d’Amore, which results in the playing strings being spaced a little closer together. This is to facilitate the reach on the low C string and is designed more for players with a fiddle/violin background or those with smaller hands.
The bridge and fingerboard arch is between that of a Hardanger and a standard violin to enable the player to isolate single strings when desired but also easily play double stops.
This model also has a standard violin scale length, but the bouts are larger than a normal fiddle/violin to enhance the rich sound of the low C string and create balance across all 5 playing strings. The instrument is lightly built to maximize the resonance from the 5 understrings.
The amount of bridge arching and the curve of the fingerboard can be easily customized to the player’s preferences and style of music.
10-string Grande Hardanger d'Amore
Top:
Reclaimed Spruce from a pipe organ
Back & neck:
Reclaimed Cherry from the family farm
Fingerboard, chinrest & tailpiece: Rosewood
Pegs:
Wittner Geared Planetary Pegs
f-holes:
Hardanger-style f-holes
Scroll:
Custom-designed by Dev
Tested strings:
Pirastro Violino (synthetic),
Pirastro Euduxa (gut)
Sympathetic strings: Light gauge steel
This largest model is designed for maximizing the richness of the low strings and creating a deep, expressive sound with powerful, ethereal resonance from the understrings. It is typically made with a wider neck and flat fingerboard and bridge to match the specifications of the Hardanger d’Amore by Salve Håkedal. This, again, can be easily customized.
The body size is equivalent to a small viola, and the scale length is slightly longer than a normal violin at 336 mm.
The instrument is lightly built and is designed with gut strings and cross tunings in mind.
The Shop Window (by Sophie) played on a 10-string Grande Hardanger d'Amore