1700's Alto Recorder

thingiverse

This is my inaugural project, based on the last existing instrument crafted by renowned artisan Johann Porschmann (1680-1757). The actual piece is housed at the Musikmuseet, a Musikhistorisk Museum located in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 1997, precise measurements were taken via CT scan and calipers to obtain a detailed geometric dataset. This data was published alongside an accompanying drawing, which forms the basis of my model. I am particularly fascinated by the ornate embellishments that adorn this piece, and as I worked on it, I was astonished by the level of craftsmanship that can be achieved through hand carving. My aim is to successfully print this instrument, and I will update this post with progress reports as needed. For reference, please see http://www.bergstrom.dk/draw.html for the original drawing. As a note: I have incorporated an updated mouthpiece design in my model, which I believe will improve its playability. On 4/7/15, I revised the body (2.0) and mouthpiece (3.0) of the instrument, featuring a smaller bore that runs through its center and resulting in thicker walls overall. This modification should address issues experienced by rlevi related to slicing problems.