Stroh violin/violinophone

[fairlead]

Good morning all.  I am an amateur player and repairman.  My real job is chief engineer of a seagoing tug, and I also enjoy inventing.  I discovered the Stroh violin/violinophone on a Lindsay Stirling video and am embarking on building my own.  I have scoured the internet, youtube, etc. looking for blueprints or any sort of plans, but there isn't much out there.  I was wondering if anyone could provide some info on some specifics maybe:

 

1.  Details on the sound box; shape and materials that could be used.  I thought of trying a cast brass junction box?

2.  Diaphragm substitutes ( I saw one that utilized a mason jar lid)

3  Details on the "rocker arm" between the bridge and diaphragm (materials and geometry)

 

I have already rounded up a used Olds Ambassador trombone, a set of boat horns (for the monitor horn) and a VSO to sacrifice for the neck, etc.  I do a lot of hand carving and would like to do something nautically themed for the diaphragm box or sound box.

 

Thanks for any help.

[Bill Yacey]

You might want to try a piece of sheet mylar plastic for the diaphragm. It will be more sensitive than tin due to the decreased mass. This mylar can be commonly found as transparency sheets made for use in laser printers.

[Brad Dorsey]

Perhaps you could find some patent drawings.

[deans]

Is a telephone diaphragm too small? Maybe there are sizes large enough. I might look on EBAY.

[Will L]

Quite delightful in the right hands and conditions:

 

[fairlead]

I just stumbled onto a page on Facebook for Stroh violin enthusiasts… Maybe there's hope.