I've gotten a good start on my fiddle project:

 

The neck blank is done and I'm ready to cut out the hole for the tuning machines.  I'm not going to use friction tuners...

I have the fingerboard cut out, I need to radius that and stain it.   I'm going to use the technique of relieving the sides instead of conventional f-holes; this will give bow clearance along with the rather tall bridge this will have.

It's a good, solid-cedar box; I'm hoping for a decent tone.

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  • I think I'm a member, actually.  If not (haven't checked in for a while) I'll join.

    I now have the hole for the tuning machines hogged out.. I'm using classic-guitar type tuners.

     

    Looking again at my box, and the angles I'll have available when I cut the sides away... It's kind of looking as if I can lower that neck relief some.   Not a big deal, just a manner of re-positioning the screw-bolts.

  • Hi Mark,

    By the way, Cigar Box Nation (CBN) also has a discussion group for Cigar Box Fiddles called "CB Fiddles". They have 41 members, including Dianne in Chicago who started the group. You might want to check it out.

    -Rand.

  • Looks like a great start, can't wait to see the finished product.
  • The main thing I'm worried about is the necessarily-tall bridge.

    If need be, I can always simply move the screw-bolts "up" a bit and reposition the neck structure.   Or wait for a better box.

    This one is very nice; solid cedar with dove-tailed joints.

  • Well, I guess you have thought it out. If it doesn't work the first time, you can always go back and modify it, or have a good excuse for doing another build. Hope it works out.

    -Rand.

  • It is tall.  It's to compensate for the too-wide box and allow some bowing room.   We'll see how it works out.
  • Well here it is...
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  • That heel looks very (too?) tall. You might check with Diane in Chicago as she has done a couple of cigar box violins. Keep the photos coming. I like to see how people do other kinds of instruments.

    Here is one of Dianne's fiddles.

    -Rand.

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