Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James D on September 22, 2010 at 4:23pm

Thanks! That is a very helpful article. It is giving me some good ideas about how to go about this.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on September 24, 2010 at 4:49am

Look through the pics; there have been several interesting fiddle designs the guys have come up with. At least one even installed proper "cutouts" on the sides of the box.
I've been tempted, but then if I built one I would be tempted to actually learn to play it and I hardly have time to work on all my other stuff....

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 24, 2010 at 6:53am

There's two groups about cb fiddles:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbfiddles

and

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cigarboxfiddlers

You do need a really narrow box, or have to cut yours down so the bow does not clip. I made combo soundholes/cutaways in mine, the photos are in those groups somewhere.

There's also links to other fiddle plans in there.

My Achilles's heel was the join of neck to body -- the stress from fiddle strings is enormous. I'm doing another one soon, likely going to follow this guys plans more like:

http://www.adventurousmuse.com/cigar-box-fiddles/

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Permalink Reply by James D on September 25, 2010 at 4:35am

HI Diane,

I just look through your picture gallery...you have some really nice designs there!

The pics of the fiddle you built were along the lines of what I was thinking of doing. Did you have to reinforce the inside of the cigar box to take the strain of the strings? I was thinking of using a steel coordinator rod (like a banjo) between the neck and the tailpiece, to take most of the strain from the box. I'm not sure what that would do to the sound, though.

Thanks for the reply!

~james

Diane in Chicago said:

There's two groups about cb fiddles:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbfiddles

and

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cigarboxfiddlers

You do need a really narrow box, or have to cut yours down so the bow does not clip. I made combo soundholes/cutaways in mine, the photos are in those groups somewhere.

There's also links to other fiddle plans in there.

My Achilles's heel was the join of neck to body -- the stress from fiddle strings is enormous. I'm doing another one soon, likely going to follow this guys plans more like:

http://www.adventurousmuse.com/cigar-box-fiddles/

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Permalink Reply by James D on September 25, 2010 at 4:36am

Thanks to all for the replies!

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 25, 2010 at 9:59am

I'd guess that the bar running through the box to the tail would be fine if it does not touch anywhere but the heel and tail. And your box should be as thin as you can find/make. The one I built is very quiet, but it was 1/4" thick. I was going for the dimensions, and wish I'd found a better candidate than that one as far as thickness. I did not reinforce it at all, nor did I include a soundpost or bass bar, but plan to on the next one.

James D said:

HI Diane,

I just look through your picture gallery...you have some really nice designs there!

The pics of the fiddle you built were along the lines of what I was thinking of doing. Did you have to reinforce the inside of the cigar box to take the strain of the strings? I was thinking of using a steel coordinator rod (like a banjo) between the neck and the tailpiece, to take most of the strain from the box. I'm not sure what that would do to the sound, though.

Thanks for the reply!

~james

Diane in Chicago said:

There's two groups about cb fiddles:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbfiddles

and

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cigarboxfiddlers

You do need a really narrow box, or have to cut yours down so the bow does not clip. I made combo soundholes/cutaways in mine, the photos are in those groups somewhere.

There's also links to other fiddle plans in there.

My Achilles's heel was the join of neck to body -- the stress from fiddle strings is enormous. I'm doing another one soon, likely going to follow this guys plans more like:

http://www.adventurousmuse.com/cigar-box-fiddles/

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Permalink Reply by Marty Jenkins on September 26, 2010 at 4:22am

This is sooo cool. Are there plans for this thing somewhere?
Naz Nomad said:

... you could always try one of these.


It's not a fiddle, but it's fiddle(ish) in its playing style/technique ... good way to learn bowing etc. and much easier to build.

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