Gary M Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 I'm sorry but I was in need of a good laugh and I found this as part of my research for another post. I'm absolutely NOT laughing at the guy who built it or his efforts. I admire them immensely. Just at the amazing variety of the human experience. Hopefully some of you will enjoy it too. https://www.thehenryford.org/collections-and-research/digital-collections/artifact/1922/#slide=gs-264221 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 Thanks for posting this delightful oddity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 at last, a violin made in the USA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipKT Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 Didn’t Vuilluame make metal violins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipKT Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 I remember a story about William Conant scavenging wood from covered bridges to make his violins. The early car bodies used a lot of wood, but I do not know if there was a particular kind of wood that was considered the best)Although the exterior on woody wagons was typically ash, I believe.) One wonders if recycled wood from those old cars, would’ve made worthwhile Violins. And when I read the post, I was actually thinking about whether this creative fellow had salvaged wood from an old car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary M Posted November 26, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 37 minutes ago, PhilipKT said: Didn’t Vuilluame make metal violins? If you think cutting purfling groves in Maple is hard, try cold rolled steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 Kinda sad that no parts of that violin are easily recognizable as being from a model T Ford. A piston or a crankshaft, or a spoked wooden wheel somehow incorporated would have been much more interesting, to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew tkinson Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 Here is a picture of an 'iron violin' that was made in the 17th century by John Bunyan of Pilgrim's Progress fame. It is on display in the John Bunyan museum in Bedford. Sadly the automobile he may have made remains undiscovered! John Bunyan was a sheet metal worker so presumeably had the skills to make this violin. Many of you will be aware, but some of you may not, of some excellent videos on youtube of John Doherty a 20th centrury Irish fiddler and tinsmith which show him travelling around making useful tinplate items for remote farms and playing his violin to make his living. These 'magical' videos show a pace of life that only 50 years later, it is hard to imagine. ( I like the idea of this slow pace and I remember arranging to meet a friend for a drink by sending him a letter in around 2003 or 4 and his secretary was puzzled. But the reason was I never answered my landline telephone as it was always people trying to sell me stuff so I was difficult to reach by phone) See here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiehZZ2tXK It seems that Mr. Doherty and other tinsmith fiddlers also made "tin fiddles" as well as domestic and dairy items, according to this article https://donegalfiddlemusic.ie/john-doherty-1900-1980/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane88 Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 I have one of the Doherty tin fiddles. Kinda cool, kinda frustrating... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew tkinson Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 2 minutes ago, duane88 said: I have one of the Doherty tin fiddles. Kinda cool, kinda frustrating... I'd love to see a picture of it. Is it frustrating because of its sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew tkinson Posted November 26, 2021 Report Share Posted November 26, 2021 I have just found this article about Metal violins which may be of interest. https://boxandfiddlearchive.weebly.com/metal-fiddle-tradition-in-donegal.html It is interesting that the article says the metal fiddles were 'sweet' toned and the fact they were quiet meant they were good for practising in crowded cottages without disturbing other residents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted November 27, 2021 Report Share Posted November 27, 2021 Well, here's one - sweet as can be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNP3iqCkTuM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew tkinson Posted November 27, 2021 Report Share Posted November 27, 2021 17 hours ago, Dr. Mark said: Well, here's one - sweet as can be: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNP3iqCkTuM Thanks for this Dr. It just goes to show sweetness is in the ear of the beholder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swing Monkey 1 Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 Didn't Heifetz have an aluminum violin that he played in tropical regions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Yacey Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 I knew a local maker that used to scavenge spruce from demolished grain elevators that at one time were found in every western prairie town and village. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Yacey Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 On 11/26/2021 at 10:19 AM, jacobsaunders said: at last, a violin made in the USA Isn't American built instruments just a rumour? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 12 hours ago, Bill Yacey said: Isn't American built instruments just a rumour? Seriously? Looky here ya'll: Now, no criticism please Mr. Saunders - you know how sensitive Americans are about innovation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary M Posted November 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 Dr. Mark Nice! I have a "cigar box" on my shelf just about that size. Would look great next to my cigar box Ukulele. Thanks for posting it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted November 28, 2021 Report Share Posted November 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Dr. Mark said: Seriously? Looky here ya'll: Now, no criticism please Mr. Saunders - you know how sensitive Americans are about innovation... Viola d’Amore would like to know how it sounds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted November 29, 2021 Report Share Posted November 29, 2021 I can't really tell from the videos I looked up - I'd have to buy one or make one. You can purchase a fiddle from Steven Miller (Asheville N. Carolina), who says " “I’m very careful to make them the same dimensions as a standard violin, and they play just like a regular violin. They’re sometimes not quite as loud, but the tone is the same.” (!) But enough hilarity for one thread... I got a bit carried away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted November 29, 2021 Report Share Posted November 29, 2021 4 hours ago, Dr. Mark said: they play just like a regular violin. They’re sometimes not quite as loud, but the tone is the same.” That would leave various acoustics gurus here with a crinkly face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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