Among my hobbies is playing fiddle at acoustic jams.
What I have noticed when a bunch of fiddlers gather is that everyone “ohhs” and “ahhs” over the cases.
I think this is because all of the fiddles look the same. Sure some have a prettier finish or grain than others, but none really jump out at you.
There is always someone with a crocodile vintage case that wins the show. Those are hard to come by, so I thought I would try building a wooden case to try and keep up with the Jethros. Plus I will get extra points as they talk about how they won it on ebay and I get to say I built mine from scratch.
Let the pictures commence:
Yes, that is Poplar. I don’t want to hear about it. All my woodworker friends say “Looks good, but why in the world did you use Poplar?”. It was cheap, and the big box a mile a way had lots of it. I also was not sure if I could really build this thing as I had never built a box and did not have the proper tool. So I did not want to ruin a bunch of expensive wood.
All of those box joints were cut by hand using a scroll saw. Yep, I am too cheap to buy a jig… I won’t do that again. It was DAYS of cutting…
The finish is a water based cranberry from General Finishes and 8 coats of Arm-R-Seal.
I am still working on the interior. I am building an accessory compartment and will mount a brass lid stay to it.
The rest is covered in green velvet, and I cut and dyed those leather strips cranberry for the bow stays.
It is almost finished. I can’t wait to show up to the next ho-down. Now I need a really gaudy western shirt to match it ;)
-- Wes, Garland, TX
11 comments so far
Bertha
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13111 posts in 858 days
#1 posted 393 days ago
That is one handsome case! Now you’ll do the blinging:)
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
Manitario
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1862 posts in 1048 days
#2 posted 393 days ago
Nothing, absolutely nothing is more awesome than a blinged-out fiddle case. Well done.
-- Rob, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
BTimmons
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1075 posts in 650 days
#3 posted 393 days ago
Box joints cut on a scroll saw? Wow, that’s ambitious. Kudos for making it work! I’m a cellist, so I totally understand string player “bling” envy.
-- Brian in Arlington, TX - Laziness is the foundation of efficiency.
ratchet
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1189 posts in 1952 days
#4 posted 393 days ago
Very nice. I like the poplar.
Wes Grimes
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38 posts in 608 days
#5 posted 393 days ago
Thanks all.
Brian, you can just see the butt of my cello in one of the pictures. I am thinking about building a case for it, but I am afraid it will end up 100 pounds…
I want one of those carbon fiber cello cases with the snazzy quick release clips. They cost more than my cello though…
-- Wes, Garland, TX
Lee A. Jesberger
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6486 posts in 2144 days
#6 posted 393 days ago
Nice work, for sure.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
BTimmons
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1075 posts in 650 days
#7 posted 393 days ago
Ah yes, I see it now. I even have the same type of collapsible stand. You know, I’ll bet that a nicer one made from wood would sure look cool. Hmm….
-- Brian in Arlington, TX - Laziness is the foundation of efficiency.
Craftsman on the lake
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2018 posts in 1602 days
#8 posted 393 days ago
The next thing you need to do is to video or audio record your favorite tune with you playing it and post it here. I play guitar and come from a long line of Quebec Canadian fiddlers (I’m from Maine) I spent half my life accompanying the damn fiddlers but love the music.
-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html
Wes Grimes
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38 posts in 608 days
#9 posted 393 days ago
I prefer the sound of Canadian fiddle style to Texas. They are more melodic. Texas fiddling style is all about showing how fast you can play. The great thing about not posting samples is I get to pretend like I am good with no proof that I am lying ;)
-- Wes, Garland, TX
woodchic
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814 posts in 1522 days
#10 posted 392 days ago
Nice!
AKA….............Woodchic
-- Robin Renee'
BigTiny
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1653 posts in 1053 days
#11 posted 386 days ago
YAHOO!!
Paul
-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!
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