Brass Fiddle

[TimRobinson]

The image below comes from the cover of a cd called "The Brass Fiddle - traditional fiddle music from Donegal" (Claddagh Records Ltd CC44CD). The booklet says:

The brass fiddle on the cover was kindly lent by Charlie McDevitt from Kilcar. It was made in the 1920s by Frank and Johnny Cassidy (Carlie's uncles), both Teelin fiddlers. The body of the fiddle is beautifully made from heavy brass obtained from a brass drum washed ashore at the bottom of the cliffs at Bun Glas near Sliabh Liag, site of some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The fiddle is quite heavy and has a quiet, soft - almost dull - tone, due to the accoustic properties of the brass. It is, by any standards, an outstanding piece of craftmanship."

Sadly the disc does not seem to have any recordings of it.

Regards,

Tim

[Banzai]

I probably don't even want to consider how heavy that thing is.

 I imagine you could get quite a shoulder workout after

playing it for just a little while...

[Banzai]

I was staring at the picture a bit more in morbid curiosity...it

looks oddly proportioned, and that bridge is VERY unconventionally

located.

Does it even use (or need) a soundpost?

Just some random observations.  Perhaps some more expert

"acousticians" will be able to enlighten me as to why it is so

oddly proportioned, and why the bridge is out of place. 

[Banzai]

Ok, one more.

This would be the appropriate time to chime in with jokes about

having "brass ones".

Discuss.

[magicfingers]

It would be the ultimate "bar room fiddle".... Would do nicely for fending off drunks.... Regards, Lonnie..

[Danny Bradford]

How much would this fiddle be worth? Does anyone know where it is now??