Violin from a screen door and piece of firewood

[GRadem]

I really did build this out of a screen door board and a slice of log that looked like firewood. I came across a book on how to build your own violin and it perked my interest. I had a screen door project that was not put together yet and the grain of the wood looked like what was in the book.. I then ordered a piece of figured maple that came just like a wedge of firewood.
I had never carved anything before so I had to buy chisels and learn to carve to finish the neck.. Though I have built a lot of things, I had never built an instrument before and the ironic thing is that I am not musically inclined and I have never played an instrument of any kind.
To this day have not played the violin.. I have had several good violinist's play it just to hear what it sounds like. A professional violin maker saw it, said it is quite valuable and asked if I want to sell it, I told him no because it was the only one I will ever make.. It is the hardest thing I have ever made

 

[Andrew_K99]

Wow, great job! What book did you see this in?

 

[GRadem]

It was a book I found at Rockler years ago.. I think it was a simple title like "How to build your own violin.. I did find a better book at a metro library it was old but that was even better, I can't remember the name.. This is a Stradavarius design.

 

[triw51]

WOW awsome now you have to learn to play then post a video with sound

 

[kludge77]

That is stunning. Quite a testament to your woodworking skills.

I hope you have a recording of how it sounds. (if not you should make one.) If I made it there would be a part of me that would want to sell it, only so that I could say it was being used. That would be so gratifying to know that you created something that could make beautiful music.

Very impressive!

 

[InvisibleMan]

 

[Robert111]

I can't express how envious I am. My grandfather played a "fiddle" and I've always wanted to build one, but never wanted to invest all that time and effort, though I've contemplated it many times. You did it! I salute you! Wonderful!

 

[PenMan1]

One nice piece of fiddleback and one nice fiddle!

 

[OLDMAN5050]

WOW, simply a masterpeice. how long did the build take?

 

[paintspill]

i'm currently building an acoustic guitar and as hard as that is it is no where near as hard as a violin. i have done tons of research on violin making so i know every step and i know how hard and how much work is involved. very well done. its beautiful. maybe i'll try one, one day. and ya gotta love those tiny violin makers planes.

 

[GRadem]

4 long years off and on.. when I got tired of the project I would do something else. I finally finished it though.

 

[GRadem]

I do have an 7 minute audio clip of the very first time it was tuned and played by a fiddler from a bluegrass group. She played with the violins range and excerpts from her favorite songs. I anyone wants to have me email it to them just PM me with an email address. It is pretty cool.

 

[ilikewood]

I restored several violins before I tried this project (I think I have the same book). Definitely a serious woodworking project and I am still working on mine. I'm not sure I have the patience to finish mine though.....yours sure looks super. Great work!

 

[corian king]

Beautiful Work! A real masterpiece.I'm like one of the other posters.I think I would have to learn to play even something simple just so I could say I did it.

 

[Bowl Slinger]

You are very talented! Absolutely stunning.

 

[nava1uni]

That is quite amazing. Great job with astonishing results.

 

[bluwolf]

That is very nice work. Glad you decided to finish it.

Mike

 

[rherrell]

WOW, that is a STUNNING piece of work!

 

[thewishman]

Greg, my wife and I are listening to the audio - what an awesome piece of work! How cool - find a book and make a violin - and it works and sounds great. Thanks for sharing!

 

[alphageek]

WOW!!! To make something that impressive w/o knowing how to play. That will make for some fun stories when you show it off! Its really a thing of beauty and it must be fun to let someone else play it, even if you don't know how.

 

[mrcook4570]

Outstanding! That is an awesome piece of work!

 

[holmqer]

Amazing craftsmanship, now you just need learn to play it!

 

[GRadem]

I am happy those who asked me to email an audio clip liked it!
Sometimes I just take the violin out and look at it. I will learn to play it someday.

 

[Haynie]

I think I would put it somewhere I could see it all the time.

 

[InvisibleMan]

I am happy those who asked me to email an audio clip liked it!
Sometimes I just take the violin out and look at it. I will learn to play it someday.

Having to take it out is a problem. that thing needs to be on display IMO It's true art.

 

[MattTheHat]

I'm at a loss for words. And that's a rare thing!

Absolutely beautiful!


-Matt