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Does anyone know what this is. Its is described as a luthier clamp but they are not sure. i have never seen anything like this. If so whats is it for? Its on ebay here.clamp

I think it's a clamp to attach tops and backs to fiddles. The individual clamps can be adjusted in and out to sit on the rim area then tightened down to secure the plates.
That's sort of a guess but in my opinion, a fairly good one.

I think it might work as an armadillo trap.


Do you know the dimensions on it?

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Last time I saw something like that was in the Tower of London...yikes it looks scary

I think it clamps the luthier to the workbench in some way.
Thankfully there are unions now
Evan

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I think it makes waffles!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I don't know, looking at thess pictures





you can see that the long "vertical" (if that is the correct direction) clamps are stationary and the "horizontal" clamps move in and out.

I like your Idea Paul, but I don't see how that would work with this thing.

Here is the guys description of it.

You are bidding on one (1) Vintage Luthier's Clamp. The clamp is 26 inches long and 19 inches wide and is 4 inches tall. There are 6 movable clamps on the clamp. There are 12 total screws for clamping on the clamp. The clamp is made of steel and there is very little rust on the clamp. I assume that this device was used to make a musical instruments like a violin, but I'm not sure.   Feel free to add input if you can tell what this clamp is or what it was used for.   

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How about binding the fingerboad?

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

I personally think it would be to big for use on a violin.

Do you think that these would have been used for joining the plates together before they were carved? The horrizontal clamps to bring the plates together and the vertical ones in the middle (they look stationary) to keep the plates aligned.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Rod, I think you are right .... or .... Medieval torture device.

I agree with AnthonyZ

I don't have a clue

Mike
White Oak, Texas

Looks like a Bear trap to me, get it away from me!

If it's big enough, you might use it to clamp the center joint of tops and backs...

I think it's a case of the general public coming to the realization that luthier types will buy almost anything that has the name "luthier" attached to it. Same thing with hardwoods. The price of figured hardwoods have gone through the roof in the last few years, and it's mostly due to the luthier community getting soaked by hardwood vendors and the like. It's like they can sense us lurking around the corner and set their traps....

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[quote]It's like they can sense us lurking around the corner and set their traps.... [/quote]

Yea! They... smell.... us coming!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Luthier's Special... I have a nice old 86 Monte Carlo for sale. It was only driven back and fourth to the local wood dealer by a little old Luthier. Only $32,000 or $35,680 for are Canadian brother's.

Michael, i wish i'd still have my old 91 Pontiac 6000, i'd have traded it for US money anytime!

I think its definitely for putting plates together - look at the size, 26 long, 19 wide - the screw downs on the C portions hold the plates level to each other, then the outer clamps push them together. once glued, the whole thing opens at the bottom, swivels apart to get the plate out. Man what overkill compared to a simple string and wedge jig.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"