- Wood: Maple, spruce, or any other hard, resonant wood
- Strings: Steel, nylon, or gut
- Pegs: Hardwood or metal
- Endpin: Hardwood or metal
- Fingerboard: Ebony, rosewood, or another hard, smooth wood
- Nut: Bone, ivory, or plastic
- Bridge: Maple or ebony
- Sound post: Spruce or willow
Tools:
- Chisels
- Gouges
- Planes
- Saws
- Sandpaper
- Clamps
- Hot hide glue
- Varnish or lacquer
- Measuring instruments
- Pencil
- Ruler
Instructions:
1. **Prepare the Wood:
- Cut the wood into the following pieces:
- Back: 16 inches long x 8 inches wide x 0.5 inches thick
- Front: 16 inches long x 8 inches wide x 0.2 inches thick
- Sides: Two pieces, each 16 inches long x 3 inches wide x 0.5 inches thick
- Neck: 16 inches long x 2.5 inches wide x 0.75 inches thick
- Scroll: 5 inches long x 4 inches wide x 1.5 inches thick
- Fingerboard: 13.5 inches long x 1.2 inches wide x 0.2 inches thick
- Pegs: 4 pieces, each 2 inches long x 0.25 inches wide x 0.25 inches thick
- Endpin: 1 piece, 5 inches long x 0.5 inches wide
- Sound post: 1 piece, 1 inch long x 0.2 inches wide x 0.2 inches thick
2. Shape the Body:
- Glue the sides to the back, then to the front, to form the body of the violin.
- Use clamps to hold the pieces together while the glue dries.
- Shape the body with chisels, gouges, and planes until it has a smooth, rounded contour.
3. Carve the Neck and Scroll:
- Shape the neck and scroll using chisels, gouges, and planes.
- The neck should be tapered from the body to the scroll.
- The scroll should be carved with a decorative design.
4. Attach the Fingerboard:
- Glue the fingerboard to the neck.
- Use clamps to hold the pieces together while the glue dries.
- Sand the fingerboard until it is smooth and level.
5. Install the Pegs:
- Drill holes in the scroll for the pegs.
- Glue the pegs into the holes.
- Use a reamer to widen the holes so the pegs can turn easily.
6. Install the Endpin:
- Drill a hole in the bottom of the body for the endpin.
- Glue the endpin into the hole.
7. Install the Sound Post:
- Insert the sound post into the body of the violin, just behind the bridge.
- Adjust the position of the sound post until it produces a clear, ringing tone when the strings are plucked.
8. Sand the Violin:
- Use fine sandpaper to sand the entire violin until it is smooth to the touch.
- Be careful not to sand away the sharp edges of the body.
9. Finish the Violin:
- Apply a coat of varnish or lacquer to the violin to protect it from moisture and wear.
- Allow the finish to dry completely before stringing the violin.
10. String the Violin:
- Wind the strings around the pegs and tie them in a knot at the end.
- Tune the strings to the desired pitch.