Hi, I managed to find some time to do a few builds, here are some of them.
This family group, a 5 string Banjo, a three string guitar and a violin all carry the same genes, or should I say wood species. From the same wood pallet and fencing timber, I made the bridges from maple so that they all matched, Mulga arm and chin rests, and all have fiddle back figured necks.
The Box Violin. The body is made from packing case timber. I made the the neck in Tassie Oak, the fingerboard and Tailpiece are Black Wattle, chinrest is Mulga, bridge is Maple and the pegs are Ebony. These last two parts I did not make. The neck is bolted on.
Inside the 4/4 size body is a bass bar and soundpost as per standard violins.
Sound….? yes, it makes a sound, a good pleasing sound. It sounds like a violin. Whereas Box CBG style guitars do not sound like a full guitar, this sounds exactly like a student grade violin. I am incredibly surprised at the volume this thing puts out. The shape is obviously different but other violin specs have been loosely followed.
Five string Banjo. This is built as are my guitars, same box dimensions and neck attachment, screwed through the neck block, no neck stick or rim rods. The neck came from an old Mastertone Gibson banjo.
Three string guitar: Body is the same as the banjo as is the bracing inside. 25” scale. A strip piezo is fitted in the bridge slot under the saddle. Neck is Tasmanian Oak, same as violin. Tailpiece is modified and is from a Cello. The bridge has ebony highlights and saddle.
Thanks for looking Taff.