Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

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Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby Alfred » Fri Jan 11, 2013 1:23 am

Hey Gang,

I've been remiss in not checking in for awhile. We've been camping in the "Weekender-For-5" probably 7-8 times now, enough that I'm losing count anyway. My Ben and I have taken to a few Cub Scout camp-outs. Nice thing is we can remove the bunk when it is just 2-3 of us, and it is more room, then put the bunk back-in when all 5 go camping. I need to admit it is getting a little tight for the 5 of us, but still works for a couple of days at a time. We had a "backyard" camp-out in the late Fall, that was fun, too.

I have a couple of new non-camping projects in the works. I am building a homemade fiddle, using a cigar box. There is a lot of info about this on the web, and discussion forums, similar to the TD folks.

I "saw" on the fiddle some, I'm not any good at it, but it's fun (I'm a guitar and piano guy, mostly). Here I am on a traditional instrument.
Image

Here are the parts I'm assembling for the fiddle build:
Image
Cigar boxes were $3.00 each from local cigar shop, they give the proceeds from the sale of old boxes to the local animal rescue. I'm trying to decide which box will be best for the fiddle. Tailpiece was $3.99 from Ebay. Set of Uke tuning pegs off Ebay for $3.00. Neck will be Poplar and fingerboard will be red oak, both from Lowes for about $7.00. I'm trying to keep the cost under $25 for one fiddle.

I am also working on a small chicken ark or chicken tractor (this is a portable coop for a small number of chickens), as I hope to buy 4-5 hens in the Spring and start getting some fresh eggs. I've been buying fresh eggs from a coworker, and there is a BIG difference from store bought. Plus, I think the kids will enjoy caring for the chickens.

LIfe is good! Best to all of you. Hope to get back out camping in the Spring. Keep me posted of anything local!

AL in Asheville! :thumbsup:
Last edited by Alfred on Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
4 minute video of our build - A 5x8 Camper for a family of 5 - http://youtu.be/CYGTlkfpIhY
How we built a 5x8 camper for a family of 5, using a utility trailer with an incorporated bunk bed for the kids.
From plain trailer to campground!

ImageImageImage
Also - More pictures here: http://flic.kr/ps/225piC
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Re: Homemade Fiddle - Alfred Checking In

Postby WhitneyK » Fri Jan 11, 2013 3:58 pm

Good to hear from you Alfred, long time no see.

Good luck on the fiddle build. I aquired a Stradivarius a few years back from a close friend of ours (she needed the money and it was a sweet sounding fiddle). Always wanted to learn to play one. :)
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My build: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=41955

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Re: Homemade Fiddle - Alfred Checking In

Postby S. Heisley » Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:28 pm

Hi, Alfred!

It's good to hear from you. I noticed that your beard has gotten really white and it looks good. What a difference a year makes!
Glad to read that you are still camping and doing well. With the kids growing, you may need to add a tent soon, though.

The fiddle looks cool. I look forward to your posting of a U-tube video of you, playing it!!!! (hint-hint) :thumbsup: :D
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Re: Homemade Fiddle - Alfred Checking In

Postby CliffinGA » Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:30 pm

Good to hear from ya Alfred, hurry up so when you get done with your fiddle you can make me a cigar box banjo :lol:! Seriously been thinking of buildimg one! Good luc bud!

Cliff :thumbsup:
In God we trust, shoot the rest and he will sort out!

My Build:

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=42628
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Re: Homemade Fiddle - Alfred Checking In

Postby Alfred » Sun Jan 27, 2013 8:22 am

Hey Gang!

Here's some progress on the soon-to-be-famous "Stumpwater" Cigar Box Fiddle...
Image

Image

Image

Cliff! Get started on that banjo, we'll have us a band at the Spring gatherin'!

Here's the Cigar Box Nation website with free plans and lots of feedback to build homemade guitars, fiddles, uke's, and yes, Cliff - BANJO's!
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/

AL in Asheville :thumbsup:
4 minute video of our build - A 5x8 Camper for a family of 5 - http://youtu.be/CYGTlkfpIhY
How we built a 5x8 camper for a family of 5, using a utility trailer with an incorporated bunk bed for the kids.
From plain trailer to campground!

ImageImageImage
Also - More pictures here: http://flic.kr/ps/225piC
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby Alfred » Sun Jan 27, 2013 5:30 pm

Hi All!

Here's the neck: Stained and polyurethaned. When that gets dry, I can attach the fingerboard.

Image

AL in Asheville
4 minute video of our build - A 5x8 Camper for a family of 5 - http://youtu.be/CYGTlkfpIhY
How we built a 5x8 camper for a family of 5, using a utility trailer with an incorporated bunk bed for the kids.
From plain trailer to campground!

ImageImageImage
Also - More pictures here: http://flic.kr/ps/225piC
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby Alfred » Mon Jan 28, 2013 12:23 am

Hey Gang,

And now for the F-holes. I found the templates on Google.

Image

Image

The cuts are a little rough. I can hasp them out some. On the other hand, as-is they lend a certain "folk instrument" quality to the fiddle, so that the effect is not entirely bad. We'll see.

Back to work tomorrow. Next weekend I hope to put it all together.

AL in Asheville :thumbsup:
4 minute video of our build - A 5x8 Camper for a family of 5 - http://youtu.be/CYGTlkfpIhY
How we built a 5x8 camper for a family of 5, using a utility trailer with an incorporated bunk bed for the kids.
From plain trailer to campground!

ImageImageImage
Also - More pictures here: http://flic.kr/ps/225piC
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby S. Heisley » Mon Jan 28, 2013 2:54 am

I look forward to seeing the completed instrument, next weekend! :thumbsup:
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby prohandyman » Mon Jan 28, 2013 4:35 am

Al
Kurt is making a few up here as well. I am not a string instrument player but do alot of wood working and you two now have me interested in making one. I have a collection of boxes as I make shadow boxes out of them ! I just gave Kurt 5-6 boxes to choose from.
You ever seen one with a clear cover? Might make for an interesting fiddle!
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby Alfred » Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:36 am

prohandyman wrote:Al
You ever seen one with a clear cover? Might make for an interesting fiddle!
101640


Very cool! I reckon a clear cover would work, as long as it resonates. It would probably have been easier to start with a cigar box guitar or mandolin, don't know why I jumped right-in to a fiddle. Again, many ideas and plans at http://www.cigarboxnation.com

I really need to say, that is a great looking shadowbox, too.

The other thing, that should be noted - I would probably never have started this project, if it hadn't been so much fun to build the camper!

AL in Asheville :thumbsup:
4 minute video of our build - A 5x8 Camper for a family of 5 - http://youtu.be/CYGTlkfpIhY
How we built a 5x8 camper for a family of 5, using a utility trailer with an incorporated bunk bed for the kids.
From plain trailer to campground!

ImageImageImage
Also - More pictures here: http://flic.kr/ps/225piC
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby Alfred » Mon Jan 28, 2013 6:27 am

Hey Gang,

So, here we are with the pieces sort of laid-out together:

Image

Image

Image

Coming right along, eh?

AL in Asheville :thumbsup:
4 minute video of our build - A 5x8 Camper for a family of 5 - http://youtu.be/CYGTlkfpIhY
How we built a 5x8 camper for a family of 5, using a utility trailer with an incorporated bunk bed for the kids.
From plain trailer to campground!

ImageImageImage
Also - More pictures here: http://flic.kr/ps/225piC
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby S. Heisley » Mon Jan 28, 2013 10:04 pm

So, Alfred, are you going to treat us to a u-tube video of yourself playing this when you get it done?
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby CarlLaFong » Tue Jan 29, 2013 1:58 am

I built a couple of cigar box guitars for my brother. I don't play, but he was an avid guitarist and bluesman. I have a post on my blog about the second, and last, one that I built. Just posted it a few hours ago.
http://jkcallin.blogspot.com/
Take a moment to read it :(
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby Mukilteo » Tue Jan 29, 2013 9:18 pm

here is a cool video of what someone can do with a canjo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=E51ILIcqjiY
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Re: Progress: Homemade Cigar Box Fiddle

Postby CliffinGA » Tue Jan 29, 2013 10:52 pm

Thanks Eric now after watchibg several different videos follow them to the cookie tin banjo and thats what I'm going to try to build!! Plus gives me a good reason to go buy a big tin of Danish cookies and eat them, all in the name of art that is :lol:.

Cliff :thumbsup:
In God we trust, shoot the rest and he will sort out!

My Build:

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=42628
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