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What can you make with the smallest tins of them all?

I just finished the 2nd version of a 17" two-stringer, and I'll be making a batch for a summer camp -- floating instruments that drift from tent to tent.

It is hard to get a good break angle over the bridge, you have to cut the tail section lower than the tin. I don't think the tin is strong enough to anchor the strings.

So far I like the altoid-tar more than a soup/veg/soda can build because you can have a floating bridge for better intonation. That plus the added bonus of ease of play - no dang can in the way!

Parts list for a two-string, diatonic fretted build:

2 tuners --                   $1.50 each from CBGitty
2 strings -                    $1.00 each
1 1x2 stick, 36"              $2.50 from Home Depot
narrow/low fretwire --   $1.00, it doesn't take much!
mint tin                          free, if you're watching for them (or ebay, in a pinch)
two #8 bolts/nuts           $.50, but are probably some laying around the workshop
scrap for the bridge         free

Grand total                      $9.00

Make a few and pay them forward!

(I'm tuning G C, and writing the notes right on the fingerboard with a paint marker. I'm hoping that is just the nudge a kid needs to pick it up and run with it. And also so it is easily tuned -- just match the C on the low string to the main melody string.)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by C Cook on July 27, 2011 at 11:20am

I just bought a couple of Prince Edwards Tobacco tins. Thet cost three bucks each at the antique mall. I can remember using them for hip pocket tackel boxes when I use to go fishing. I dont remember if they still make them or not so I bought a couple and think I will use them for a two stringer when I get my other projects finished up.

Permalink Reply by Order99 on September 13, 2011 at 5:24pm

I love this design Diane-but where are you putting the soundhole...or does this design even need it?

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on September 14, 2011 at 1:33am

With a tin, you don't really need a soundhole, but some people put one in.

Permalink Reply by Paul Monaco ( Whittling Guy) on January 11, 2012 at 6:49pm

Nice design. What size strings do you use?

Permalink Reply by Rand Moore on January 11, 2012 at 9:13pm

Hi Paul.

The string size depends a bit on the scale length (VSL) and a bit on what sound you are going for. I made one of these using a similar Altoids sized tin as a practice "guitar" for my young daughter. It has a short 38 cm scale length, 2 strings, Uke tuners, diatonically fretted with real fret wire and I used strings 1 and 2 from a set of ukulele 4 strings. The resulting instrument was easy to play, but w/o amplification, it was suitable for playing only to yourself in a quiet room. I subsequently replaced the Altoids can with a tuna can and it proved somewhat louder. Maybe when I get back into building piezo-based pickups I'll put one in. As it is now, my girl only occasionally plays with it, and then more as a toy than a real instrument. She seems more interested in the piano, so I'll teach her some songs and some music theory first on the piano and then show her how it works on a stick dulcimer. Here's a photo showing it and another small practice "guitar":

Back to you question, the Strothers' Web Site has a String Gauge Calculator which you can use to more "scientifically" determine the string size to use, rather than "winging it" a I usually do. Don't be "put off" by this being a mountain dulcimer, the same calculations are valid for guitars, banjos, canjos and most other stringed instruments. You need to provide the "scale length" and the "open tuning" you are planning to use for each string. Play around with the calculator, as it is quite simple to use. Since the Altoids sized tins are so small, expect to use thin solid wire strings (maybe banjo strings), and the range of the instrument will be pretty high pitched.

-Rand.