#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Box fiddle #1

Hi wanted to share a fiddle I just put together. Previously I built a 4 string guitar and a ukulele. But since I play only the fiddle... seemed like a good idea to try a violin.

1. I decided to buy a neck, since the neck itself seems even more difficult than a guitar neck...

2. I built my own box. Cigar boxes are rare in this part of Canada and it seemed cheaper to just pick up something at Home Depot. As well, cigar boxes don't work too well... not long enough and too wide. I used poplar for the back and sides and sprung for a sitka spruce top... made from one half of a ukulele top.

3. Made the f-holes from the CB Gitty f-hole templates. Definitely made the job easier.

4. Used Titebond hide glue mostly, especially helpful if you need to reverse anything. It's a little harder to work with, but I've already reaped the benefits of undoing some joints.

5. Used my friendly local violin luthier to cut the nut and the bridge notches. I didn't have any files and he didn't charge that much... I've had so much trouble with nuts and bridges on my other two instruments, I figured it was well worth the cash.

When it was all put together, I was surprised at how nice it was to play it. It's quite a bit quieter than my other violins (it's a bit narrower and not as deep).

3 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on June 14, 2019 at 1:03am

nice job! looks great.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on June 14, 2019 at 4:20am

Nice job. Fyi CB GITTY sells a ribbon style Piezo made for violins. SKU:50-066-01UPC:608939834194

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on June 14, 2019 at 10:29am

Its called a "Violin Bowtie Piezo"

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gervase Gallant on June 14, 2019 at 1:59pm

But then I'd have to buy an amplifier :)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on June 14, 2019 at 2:21pm

I bought one on Facebook market for $10 and another one for $15 plus the one I picked up from a scrap heap that needed a transformer, got a transformer from a music repair shop for free. Also check ebay for amps, they are small wattage but you can pick up the boards for a couple of bucks, find a speaker, put it in a cigar box and you're good to go!