Hi all,
I am getting some parts together to build a 4 string cigar box violin, and was wondering if anyone out there in cbg land has ever built one.
I am wondering specifically about whether a bass bar is still used, sound post placement, need to reinforce box...
Any tips or tricks would be welcome.
Cheers,
James
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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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
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....
Replies
Naz Nomad said:
James D said:
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:
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/
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....