How to Make a Homemade Violin That's Playable

You don’t have to be a professional violin builder to make your own violin. Using a few simple materials and following a basic design, you can construct a homemade violin that’s playable. Buy ready-made pieces, or construct the body using a simple box, such as a cigar box. Tune your instrument and use it to make distinctive music derived from your own craftsmanship.

Make a sound hole in your wooden box with a drill. You can make it any size, but it should be in the center of your box so that it’s set up right behind the strings once you’ve built your violin, and it should be large enough for the sound to resonate when your new violin is played. Use sandpaper to smooth the edges of the hole.

Cut one piece of wood 1/4 inch wide and 1/2 inch deep using a power saw and a file, and cut the same piece of wood the same length as the inside of your box to make a bass bar. Apply glue to the edge and attach it near the drilled sound hole.

Power saw and sandpaper the broomstick piece to flatten it. Make holes 1 inch apart in the flattened piece for the pegs. File down the holes until the pegs fit snugly.

Drill a hole in the end of the box large enough for the broom handle to fit through. Use a screw eye and three or four small nails to secure it.

Use the box depth to measure the length for a small, round sound post with the thickness of a thin lead pencil. Use a measuring tape for better accuracy. Attach the neck to the body. Glue it in place and glue the cover of the box down. Secure it with small nails.