This is the fourth sheet music cabinet I've made for a very close friend from my college days. He has four daughters and has commissioned me to build a sheet music cabinet for each one for their HS Graduation. This cabinet combines art deco features from past work and puts a drawer at the bottom of the case rather than the top as in previous iterations.
The young lady is named "Maria" so the West Side Story Motif makes an appearance at the lower part of the door, she also plays oboe so an Oboe silhouette is mounted on each side of the case,
Upper frame is Maple with Anigre veneer. Top is Sapele, Door is Cherry, base is Cherry. Drawer front Bird's eye Maple. Hand made brass hardware. Finish is Amber Shellac- still needs buffing out.
Everything you do, Alan, is so well thought out and beautifully executed. This music cabinet is personalized for just one person, who will be so appreciative. Truly, it is a work of art and craft. The desired ends have been achieved with guile with finesse. The thing is, it's simply another in a long string of "hits" you have produced. I'm certain the requester and the receiver will be equally impressed and honored.
I really like the small drawer - I wish I had one (or two) in my music cabinet. Always need a place to put a tuning fork, reeds, guitar strings, pencils.
The instrument on the side is a nice touch. Bill, if switching instruments I can imagine the oboe still being loved and remembered. I know that even though I rarely play the French horn now compared to other instruments, it's still special to me. Besides, what should be done if she switched to the tuba?
What are you using for hinges (source). That must be a heavy door. Sources for quality hinges that don't allow a door to sag are becoming harder to find.
I am supposing the oboe was turned and split?
As usual there are all sorts of visual treats to be discovered.
The design process for the piece was somewhat evolutionary. Client asked for The West Side Story "Maria" theme and the Oboe to be on the door front. He was fine with the Art Deco emblem I've had for a some of my recent pieces.
My first renderings had the Oboe, and Maria theme as surface applications. Just like the Art Deco feature.
I also was exploring a variety of base/leg designs.
After some discussions my client went with this look:
I don't have pictures for reference but I made a G Clef figure and associated quarter and half notes and started placing them on a staff element.During the fabrication process It became apparent this look was not attractive. It was too crowded and the notations were clunky. I suggested putting the Maria theme on the inside of the door and keeping the oboe/split art deco element centered on the front:
Client really wanted the score on the front so we played around with more ideas.
When I put the oboe on the side it really opened up space on the door for the score and the Art Deco element. The final design ended up like this:
As to Bill's questions: I've been thinking that these cabinets would be better off with adjustable shelves. This leaves the piece more versatile for future uses ie a book case etc..so Yes-The shelves are adjustable-
The Oboe was turned then split on my bandsaw. back sides were flattened on large belt sander
I honestly don't remember where I got the hinges-Must have been woodcraft. They are Full Back To Back Wrap-Around Hinges :
The weight of the door does become a consideration. The panel is veneered 1/4 plywood-not solid lumber so the weight is reduced somewhat with that factor. I anticipated using a third hinge but the door fastens with rare earth magnets inset into the corners of the door's inside and galvanized steel plates are screwed to the inside of the case. so I believe the weight is controlled well.
The final design and fabrication of the "Maria" Theme should be covered in a separate post as it was more time consuming than I planned but the and result was satisfactory.
