This 4 string electric violin was started in 1998 as a commission for a young man who wanted an electric violin with a eagle head instead of the normal scroll on the neck. I got a good start on it but soon found out that my client was way to impatient to wait for this violin to be completed. Because I had taken no deposit, I suggested that he should buy a completed violin elsewhere.

After sitting for several years, this project was revived after visiting a friend of mine that carved beautiful birds as a hobby. He inspired me to make the eagle head a little more realistic looking, and to continue the feather scheme farther down the body of the violin. Because I had not yet carved the top and back plates, I was able to leave extra wood on the back for the wings, and on the top for the breast feathers. Not being a wood carver, The turtle pace continued as I honed my carving skills on a few practice pieces. Once I had gained a little confidence, there was some slow steady progress over the next few years.

The Beautiful quilted maple wood on the back and sides came from Bruce Harvey at Orcas Island Tonewoods, as did the Port Orford Cedar used on the top plate. The finger board, Pegs, end button and tail piece were carved from a piece of Black Palm wood from Gilmer Woods. The Black Palm seemed to be a good fit with the eagle motif as it seems to favor the likeness of feathers. The nut, saddle, pegs and tailpiece are accented in ivory.

The warm heavenly sound comes from the transducer bridge made by Rich Barbera at Barbera Transducer Systems. The sound that comes out of this unique violin is something to behold.