Darryl, I don't come around here much any more, but happened to see this and thought I'd give my two cents. As far as size/shape - my only experience is my 14 fret Duolian vs a normal 12 fret style O. Both are basically 00 sized bodies with NRP cones, but as you know, a 12 fretter has a slightly larger upper bout (and thus air volune). The 12 fretter seems to have slightly more bass, which most reso's are weak on.Darryl Young wrote:A guy in the area custom builds entry doors and recently purchased a CNC machine to do some of the work. A co-worker and friend of mine (who is a wood worker and does automation like myself) is working on setting up and programming the CNC for him. I sent him the DXF file for the Baby Dred and hopefully he can cut out inside and outside templates for me to make a mold and bending form.
How difficult would it be to get a case made that fits the Baby Dred body? Does Tamarkin do this sort of thing?
Second comment about size/shape - make sure the soundwell, neck stick and all that internal stuff fit properly. Looks like you are doing that just fine. On my tricone I spent a lot of time figuring out he sound well and how to brace it.
Third, a cnc or laser is your friend for making jigs. I did a full sized autocad drawing of the tricone including fret location and scale length, then shot a dfx to our Trump and made a 14 ga pattern for the sound well and grill cutouts. That was carefully indexed to the 12th fret location and I could rout the holes knowing that the saddle would be perfectly located. You don't get a chance to move the bridge around like you do on an acoustic.
Fourth, cases for resos always have a recess in the top for the coverplate and the butt for the tailpiece. If you are making a slot head with the tuners sticking up you will have that issue, and of course the square neck won't fit a normal case. Therefore your case options are either to build something that fits a stock case (Dobro, Beard, etc) or have a custom one made. I have had very good luck with Cedar Creek - they made perfectly fitting cases for the tricone and two weird 12 strings. Expensive and very long delivery (3 months), but worth it and maybe your only option. A deep dread case with the neck hogged out and a couple of towels on top might work....
Carry on