We describe the construction of a simple but versatile single-beam spectrophotometer that uses no sample holder at all; one arm of a bifurcated fiber optic bundle illuminates the specimen, while the other receives the remitted light. Though designed with an eye to recording the diffuse reflection spectra of scattering-and-absorbing substances, it can also be used for conventional studies (ie transmission spectroscopy) by merely placing a plane mirror behind the cuvette. The performance of the instrument is evaluated and representative spectra of several powders, solutions, and biomaterials are presented.