Newbie in Asheville - Building "Stumpwater" Fiddle

[Al Lyons]

Hi Gang,

I'm a newbie in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC. I'm hoping to build what I will call the "Stumpwater" Cigar Box fiddle. My Mama told me recently that my Great-Grandfather made and played a homemade fiddle, back in the day, barn dances and taverns and all that. I "saw" on a fiddle some, I'm not any good at it, but it's fun. I actually play guitar and piano, but there's something I really like about the fiddle, whether I can play it or not. Anyway, sweet Wife bought me a scroll saw for Christmas, been wondering "what to build, what to build?" Figured I would try to make a fiddle. So, I've acquired some cigar boxes, some uke pegs, a tail piece, some strings. I'm looking forward to sawing some wood - I will need some help from you all, too. Then we'll make some music!

Thanks!

AL in Asheville

[Al Lyons]

Hi All,

Here are some pictures of the progress on my "Stumpwater" fiddle!

It's coming along. I'll keep you posted!

AL in Asheville

[Ted Crocker]

Nice job so far Al, can't wait to see this finished.

[Al Lyons]

Hey Ted,

Thanks for the affirmation! Looking around the site I realize I'm building a toy that does not compare to the pieces of art some of the craft artisans here have built. Still, I am having a lot of fun with it and if I can squeak a tune out of it at all, it will be a conversation piece. Thanks again for the attaboy and the feedback. 

AL in Asheville

[Al Lyons]

OK, Gang - Now for the F-Holes. Found template for these using a Google search.

Cuts turned out a little rough. I reckon I can hasp them out some in the morning. On the other hand, it does lend a certain "folk instrument" look to the fiddle, so that perhaps the rough cut is not all bad. 

AL in Asheville

[Al Lyons]

Hey Gang,

So, here it is with all the pieces sort-of set in place. This is where we're at as we end weekend one of the build. 

I'm hoping to finish it next weekend!

AL in Asheville

[Al Lyons]

Hi All,

So, I purchased an ebony fingerboard off Ebay, which means I had to reexamine my strategy for the fiddle neck. I also had to decrease the angle of the neck, to accommodate the addition of the fingerboard. So, here is the neck in its present state. I just polyurethaned it again, waiting for it to dry.

I'll keep you posted!

AL in Asheville

[Al Lyons]

Hi Gang,

Here we are gluing the ebony fingerboard to the neck.

Coming along!

AL in Asheville

[Al Lyons]

...And here we're gluing the neck inside the box...

AL.

[Al Lyons]

Hey gang!

Here's the update:

End Pin:

I'll keep  you posted.

AL.

[Al Lyons]

Tuning pegs: I learned a long time ago, when I'm making sawdust...Sometimes you are able to complete parts of the construction with beauty and grace...Other times, well, there are no mistakes, just those steps that show character and home-made authenticity,,,That said, the tuning pegs are on my home-made fiddle...

I'll keep ya' posted. Keep sawin'

AL

[Ted Crocker]

Lots of nice features Al

[Al Lyons]

Hey Ted,

Thanks for the kind words of support and encouragement, duly noted and appreciated.

The tuners are a mess. I didn't leave enough room for them, then one of them went in crooked. Arghh! But, at least they're in. Like I said, years from now, someone will come across my fiddle and say, "Definitely an authentic home-made folk instrument...Lot's of personality!" At least they appear to be functional. Adds to my fund of knowledge for the next one!

I took a break from it for awhile, picked it back up tonight. Hope to finish it soon!

AL.