Q418c WezV Violin

What's Hot
I am mainly in to organise this challenge, so won't be an official entry in the vote for the winner

I decided on a Violin kit.   The cheapest one available from china ;)

This is the kit i will be using
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIY-4-4-Size-Violin-Kit-Natural-Solid-Maple-Full-Set-Violin-Parts-White/282933766542




The plan is to assemble it into a working Violin.  I want to see if i can take a basic solid wood kit and do a bit of tap tuning on it to develop the sound.

I have not yet decided whether to do a traditional finish, or something more out there

0reaction image LOL 1reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom

Comments

  • enjoenjo Frets: 250
    Cool! I can't see a mention of a sound post - might want to check that out when it arrives & also make sure there is some kind of bass bar.
    & Don't forget the bow!

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • SporkySporky Frets: 27579
    I've got a spare cello bow if'n you want to borrow it, Wez. 
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16543
    Ay, that would be awesome.   I have rosin for things like stopping bridges sliding about... never got around to buying a bow even though i always wanted one for guitar.  Are cello and violin bows the same/close enough.  I have no clue

    I know a bit about the construction side, so i know what a sound post is and what its supposed to do.  Never fit one before though so that will be fun. Is it considered wise to screw them in place, seems like it would stop it moving again ;)

    I might actually take the top off when it gets here to tune it a bit
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • SporkySporky Frets: 27579
    About 10 grams difference and some shape differences. There are cellists who use double bass bows so to some extent you can mix. 
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16543
    Well that kit never arrived, refund was issued and a new one has been ordered
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • DannyPDannyP Frets: 1667
    Bummer. I'm now picturing a corrupt postie trying to glue a violin together...
    2reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • RolandRoland Frets: 8590
    More likely a seller who didn’t post it
    Tree recycler, and guitarist with  https://www.undercoversband.com/.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16543
    back in the game, the second kit turned up on time




    the good news is its all solid woods and there is little to stop it being a good instrument once put together

    There are no instructions, but i didn't really expect any.  i think the most challenging bit will be fitting a sound post
    0reaction image LOL 2reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • I want one just so I can put it on display and pretend to be posh.

    £35!?!?!?!

    I'm not clued up on the price of wood but that seems really cheap so gives me concerns about the ethics of the supply chain, and the labour that is producing it.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • JayGeeJayGee Frets: 1254
    So are you going for fanned frets on this one then? :-)
    Don't ask me, I just play the damned thing...
    5reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • DannyPDannyP Frets: 1667
    Distressed Seafoam Green, yeah?
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • SporkySporky Frets: 27579
    DannyP said:
    Distressed Seafoam Green, yeah?
    Flip-flop!
    "[Sporky] brings a certain vibe and dignity to the forum."
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Could this kit be reasonably modded to make a ukulele or mandolin?
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16543
    I bet you all though i wasn't going to finish this didn't you!!

    Well i have.... today.   its not perfect, but it does sound surprisingly good

    a little while back i stained it, to add some underlying dirt to later finish steps... looks good on the back



    the fretboard was just stuck on with 2 spots of glue... which is exactly what i was hoping for as the fingerboard is normally removed for finishing


    neck tenon got cut


    and glued in



    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16543
    i decided to do a few coats of nitro for the finish, but got a bit caught out spraying the complex shape so its not perfect...i did red and a light black tint over  it to get to this






    i gae that a good rub back with wire wool and wax, and darkened the other wooden bits



    then i reglued the board and assembled it


    0reaction image LOL 2reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • normula1normula1 Frets: 639
    Looks good. 
    Out of interest, do violins not have stain on the neck or no finish at all? I'd always assumed that the finish had simply worn away with use.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • WezVWezV Frets: 16543
    they are usually just oiled.  i have stuck to it on this one
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
Sign In or Register to comment.