F-F-Fiddle is being redesigned!

[David Perry]

Hi all,

With financial support from a community member, I am starting work on a F-F-Fiddle redesign! 

We are redesigning with an eye on a fiddle called the Black Violin, made a few years back by Ned Steinberger. The Black Violin's utter simplicity is a good fit with what I had in mind when I designed the F-F-Fiddle. Here's a pic of one version of that instrument:

I'll be working to make this version of the F-F-Fiddle easier to assemble, much better to tune, and it will absolutely be more playable (I don't really enjoy playing the F-F-Fiddle). I'll also be reviewing the feedback collected from all of you in the survey and in the threads here. Thank you! 

If there's anything you would really like to see on this instrument, reply here! 

For example, any opinions on pickup options? Here's a screenshot of my current table of options...

[David Perry]

Hi all,

I would love your input for this FFFiddle redesign! Especially with regards to pickup selection. Right now I think we are going with the K&K Violinissimo. It is readily available in most international locations, moderately priced, and allows us to design a custom 3D printed bridge. 

But the Barbera is just such a badass pickup I have a hard time saying no...and I also like the battery powered one off AliExpress.

What do you think? 

Better yet, here is a link to the document we're using to track the design, specs, and other decisions. Jump in there, review it, and leave comments as much as possible. Like really, comment it up! 

Here's the state of the design thus far. Now that I have the barebones parts, I'll probably print underlays and sketch over them to design the overall form of the violin. 

The tuning system is a M3 hex bolt that nests into the blue printed knob. Turn that nob, and a threaded brass insert pressed into the green printed part travels along the bolt. The green part also holds the ball end of the string. It will either need to use steel strings or we probably need a secondary tensioning device for the nut end. Synthetic strings stretch a lot before they get to pitch.

I welcome your thoughts! @Caleb -- based on your experience, do you think this tuning system will work?

-David

[Caleb Coburn]

Cool, just seeing this. Probably too late to be helpful but looks great and yes it looks like it would work. I found at least 25 mm of actuation is needed to tighten the synthetic strings I'm using, my current design has almost 50 mm and I like having the extra room. 

[David Perry]

Sweet -- thanks! Yeah I was actually surprised to find that I only needed about 25mm. I've got 35-40 and will probably keep it about there. 

The tuners were a pain to turn. I've ordered some lubricated washers/bushing options and will try them out on the next build. I'm not sure if the friction is between the knob and the housing, or the string anchor and the housing...but ideally these can be tightened one handed while bowing...