Books › Violins and other stringed instruments : how to make them ; with numerous engravings and diagrams, 1906 › scan 81
Scan 81
Violins and other stringed instruments : how to make them ; with numerous engravings and diagrams, 1906
12 lines. Read by computer on 29 August 2026. Printed page 77. See the scan on archive.org.
1CHAPTER VI.
3JAPANESE ONE-STRING VIOLINS.
5A ONE-STRING violin is a sweet-toned instrument at all times, even when made from a soap-box. One form of Japanese fiddle may be cheaply constructed by using for the body the half of a large cocoanut shell. The neck is of sycamore or similar straight-grained wood, and passes through the cocoanut shell, so protruding that it forms a button to take the tailpiece. The finger-board is a strip of ebony carefully glued to the neck. A thin piece of deal forms the top of the body, and has a sound-hole cut in it. Both the shell and the top must be carefully dressed to fit perfectly true when glued together. When a coat of the best varnish has been applied the instrument is ready for stringing.
7The above form of fiddle is liable to slip when held between the knees, but the octagon or hexagon shape has been recommended as being free from this defect.
9A one-string violin with a hexagonal body is shown in plan by Fig. 79, and in side elevation by Fig. 80, reproduced one-quarter size, and the instructions here given will enable anyone to make a very serviceable instrument. Glue only is used for the joints. The body of the violin is 9 in. in diameter inside, and yellow pine is used for both belly and back. The sides are 3½ in. thick by 1½ in. high, and are mitred at the corners.
11The arm or handle is cut from good straight-grained pitch-pine. Those who are proficient in the use of woodworking tools will no doubt be able to lay a strip of ebony about ½ in. thick along the top of the handle or arm, from the neck to a projection of 3½ in. past the shoulder, which butts up against the fiddle body; but as an alternative a short piece may be fitted in and glued.
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