Reclaimers' Stick Fiddle

This is a fretted "folk fiddle" from less than $5 worth of materials.  We are building an orchestra made up of these instruments...
Here's a recording...
www.cyberferal.com/UncleBob/sounds/Death%20is%20Always%20There.mp3
Here's a short video of goings on at the workshop.

Step 1: Materials

The main spine is 19 x 25 hardwood (3/4 x 1")

Here are the rest of the bits.

Step 2: Shape the Pieces

There's a lot more to say about this.  There are a lot of ways of doing it...

Step 3: Put It Together

The bridge has a shallow "v" on the bottom of it which allows the bridge to rock slightly.

Step 4: String It Up

The plain strings are looped and twisted.  The wound strings are tied with a single half-hitch.

Step 5: Variations

The 4 string version has the standard triangular fret board profile.

Comments

[downderry4ron]

I know I am almost twelve months behind as i have only just come across the stick fiddle in my search for a horn violin ! I am now a member of "instuctables" folowinf instructionsas ro how to make a stick fiddle and am unclear as
1.to attach the "horsehair" to the bow ?
2 to attach the strings to the wing nuts and bolts ?
detailed guidance please

Merry Christmas as I write this on 25th December 2012

[digital159]

What did you use to make the bow?

[Reclaimers]

The wood is pine, the string is light fishing line. You still need standard rosin. Lots of different materials will work for the string, let me know if you find something good.

Charles.

[digital159]

Thanks for the quick response. I am going to try and find some fishing line and toxin tomorrow I already have alot of wood lying around so I will try and make this asap and let you know how it goes.
Andrew.

[Reclaimers]

I understand the actual instructions are a bit thin on the ground.  If anyone wants to help with some useful text.  Please feel free to post or get in touch.

[thewmas]

Sweet, nice format..got'a try