Violin Forum/Message Board

oldguy · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject: cedar violin top

Has anyone ever tried to make a violin top from cedar? They use it for guitars so I wondered about using it for a violin.

Michael Darnton · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 6:24 pm Post subject:

I have tried it for violins, and the sound was thin and harsh. A couple of English makers from the early 1900s also used cedar, and when they did, their violins were thin and harsh sounding, so I'm thinking that's just the way it is.
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okawbow · Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:18 pm Post subject: Cedar

I made my first violin with an Eastern red cedar (juniper) top, and used osage orange for the back, sides and neck. The cedar is fairly soft, but actually strong for its' weight. I made the top a little thicker than the book called for, if using spruce. The violin had a soft and sweet sound, and the cedar top is perfect after 12 years.

It's hard to find eastern red cedar splits large and clear enough for a violin. It also tends to splinter more than spruce. Looks great under clear varnish.

oldguy · Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:27 pm Post subject:

I think I will give it a try. It is my first try at building from scratch, so all I have to lose is a little time. Thanks for the input.