VIDEO & PHOTOS: Jim Morris Re-Creates Historic Fiddle from Just a Photo

Several months ago, I posted this photo from the 1890's in a Cigar Box Nation email with the challenge for somebody to make a similar instrument.  The young man in the photo was from Savannah, GA and is playing a crude violin.

Jim Morris of Springfield, WV immediately took the challenge.  Morris, a fantastic old time guitarist and fiddle player, has been featured in previous Cigar Box Nation features, including Gus Cannon's Frying Pan Banjo (article link).  I must first mention that the photo posted in the original email was a lot smaller than the cleaned up version above.  

Here is his version along with builder's comments.  Great work, Jim!!!

Fiddle copied from Shane's pictureA lot of guesswork went into this one. Decided it needed a homemade twig bow too.

Fiddle copied from Shane's picture

It looked like a 3 stringer from the pic.

Fiddle copied from Shane's picture

Most of the details were hard to make out in the pic but I didn't see a fingerboard so I went without one.

Fiddle copied from Shane's picture

Fiddle copied from Shane's picture

Views: 2781

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Greg Tiffany on May 21, 2018 at 2:15pm

Wow very well done.

Permalink Reply by Korrigan on May 21, 2018 at 11:23pm

That's awesome, nice work Jim!

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 22, 2018 at 3:58am

Thanks Korrigan

Permalink Reply by QGolden on May 22, 2018 at 1:27am
Wow! Very inspiring work Kim!
Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 22, 2018 at 3:58am

Thanks Q

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 22, 2018 at 2:32am

Thanks Shane for putting this on the page. And thanks for posting the larger, cleaned up photo since I can now make out what appears to be a carrying bag complete with a side pouch for the bow on the ground at the musician's left foot. Now I gotta make one of those too!

Permalink Reply by Bob Wurster on May 22, 2018 at 3:25am
Jim, you keep outdoing yourself. Very cool.
Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 22, 2018 at 3:57am

Thanks Bob. I had fun with this one!

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 22, 2018 at 5:57am

Thanks Poopshoe. I think Shane deserves a ton of credit for his research and bringing these things to our attention. I'm pretty sure I'd never have made this , or several other instruments, if he hadn't posted pictures or other info about these old homemade things.

Permalink Reply by Milt Haselmire on May 22, 2018 at 5:18am

Takes a lot to impress me at my age but I'm impressed.

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 22, 2018 at 5:57am

Thanks a bunch Milt.

Permalink Reply by Larry Chapman on May 22, 2018 at 5:36am

You've done a lot of great things but this might be the best! Thanks. 

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources

Forum

Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design

Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 6 Replies

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Flat bucker under box top. Any Success?

Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies

Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?

Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies

just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply

VIDEO: Building a CBG with limited resources.

Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply

Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

No Harmonics

Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies

Camera suggestions?

Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies

CBG site issues, continued.

Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies

Busking Songs...

Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 2. 6 Replies

Anyone used a violin-style tailpiece on a CBG?

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies

Guitar for the grandson

Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies

Building with vintage paper/pressed board cigar boxes.

Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

Trash Canjo

Started by Brad in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 19. 6 Replies

Do Measurements Matter?

Started by Jacob Shook in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 10 Replies

There goes the property values...

Started by Southern Ray in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 2 Replies

Blog Posts

I'll be fashionable this summer =)

Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments

Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)

Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments

.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•*¨*•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments

Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists

Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments

Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)

Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment

Latest Activity

Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Da Do Ron Ron: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 198th Zoom Mtg 04/15/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG Songbook.pdf...
2 hours ago
0 Comments
Matthias Bichsel left a comment for Moritz Voegeli
"www.cbguitars.ch auf FB This Bichsel"
21 hours ago
Matthias Bichsel left a comment for Moritz Voegeli
"Hallo, ich bin aus Solothurn. Lisa Stearns hat mich gefragt ob ich Dich kenne. Ich baue cbg. Gruss…"
22 hours ago
Matthias Bichsel liked Moritz Voegeli's profile
22 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for John Herrick
22 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Daniel Cook
22 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Skip Novakovich
22 hours ago
T-Gripped liked David Woodman 's photo
Thumbnail

IMG_0749

22 hours ago
Profile IconJohn Herrick, Daniel Cook and Skip Novakovich joined Cigar Box Nation
23 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

The Blues riff a Tutorial BCB 2024

"Yup Doug ! standart tuning for the four that el be missing the E's ADGB ,on the 3 Tree String…"
yesterday
Max commented on Max's video
Thumbnail

My second guitar

"Thanks everyone, yes well and truly hooked haha. If I ever put this one down it's to make…"
yesterday
Southern Ray replied to Moritz Voegeli's discussion Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design
" A few years later... Thank you."
yesterday

CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles

Add a Panel-Mount Gain to a C. B. Gitty Amp Board

Cigar Box Guitar Building Tip: Neck Reinforcement with Humbuckers

A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make a Straight Headstock

Cigar Box Ukulele Kit Assembly Guide

Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building guide by Joshua Gayou

“Open A” AEA Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open E” EBE Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open D” DAD Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

“Open G” GDG Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips

Diatonic (Dulcimer-Style) Fretting – What it is, How and Why to Use It

Events

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->