When a luthier builds a stringed instrument there comes a moment greatly cherished ... it is the magic moment when the build is "complete" except for the finish and any adjustments that need to be made before the instrument is delivered to the owner ... at this magic moment the builder strings the instrument, tunes it to proper pitch and plucks the first notes, hearing for the first time the "voice" of the instrument he has created.  This is referred to as "stringing it in the white".  A luthier has toiled long and hard, usually in complete solitude to bring the instrument to life and there is simply no more joyous moment than hearing the first notes "in the white".

I had a similar experience today with the crib ... the pictures show the crib "in the white" ... no finish applied, final sanding still to be done, some knot holes need filling ... but all of the cutting, shaping, drilling, gluing is done the hardware is temporarily installed and I have verified the fit and square of the whole thing ...

It's a good day ...

From The Crib

From The Crib

From The Crib

From The Crib