Hey all, you don’t really ever see me in this section (I do occasionally lurk and am blown away by some of the stuff I see) because I have never tackled an arched topped instrument let alone a bowed instrument. I am a hobbyist in the instrument making craft but have made guitars, ukuleles and flat top mandos. I have a working understanding of some of the skills required but obviously there are many I do not have. I have held a secret desire for one of my daughters to grow up and want to play violin because I have always wanted to make one.
This morning while waiting for the bus, my eight year old told me that next year in school they get/have to play either violin or cello for their music class. Now may be my chance! Naturally she had a bigger twinkle in her eye when she talked about the cello, so I may be biting off even more than I can chew here. I know my daughter well enough to have serious doubts that she will continue with either instrument beyond next year’s music requirement, but who knows. With that in mind, I have no delusions of me making anything beyond a functional student grade instrument to hopefully inspire her a bit further. I don’t see myself chasing greatness in violin making, I’d prefer to continue to get better making guitars. Am I asking for disappointment? Is this the sort of thing that will take 10/20 or more instruments before I have something usable? With guitars there is a lot more leeway with timbre. There are many, many different styles of guitar and ergo, tones that still qualify as a guitar tone. A not so great sounding guitar can still be accepted. My impression of violins is that the expected tone is much narrower; I could be wrong though. . .
With these questions, I mean no disrespect to your craft by attempting to dabble. I just hope to be able to make an instrument that will be violin enough in tone and playability to not annoy the 3rd grade string teacher and be something special for my daughter. Also, am I correct that a cello would be even further out of my reach?