I don't normally write such obnoxious blog postings, but I this is an exception. We've picked up some discussion on blogs and mailing lists suggesting that the machine tuners on one version of our 1860s style cigar box fiddle are historically incorrect...WRONG!
Everybody who actually knows the history of stringed musical instruments knows that geared tuners similar to those used today were invented in the early 1800s. The first Martin guitar (1833) has geared tuners. You can see a picture of it at the C.F. Martin website.
The current issue of 'American Lutherie' (Fall 2007, #91) has a very detailed article with lots of pictures of a pre-1860s Martin with, yes, geared side-mounted machine tuners.
What is VERY historically incorrect for anyone claiming to have a Civil War era cigar box fiddle or reproduction of one is pasted on artwork on the box. That did not start until some time in the 1890s. Before that, boxes were hot branded, stamped, and so forth, but no paper artwork like today's cigar boxes.
OK, I'll return to being nice :-)
geared machine tuners, guitars, cigar box fiddle, C. F. Martin
speaking of historical accuracy. . . what did Civil-War era fiddlers carry their fiddles in? wooden boxes? leather bags? or were there cases pretty much like there are today?
Posted by: Crystal | April 10, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Sorry for the delayed reply. The answer is that I don't know. I do not think, however, that there was a single common way to carry one's cigar box fiddle. I suspect a small sack that had been used for something else would have been the norm. Really, the only well-known record of anyone building a case for any bowed instrument besides a standard violin have to do with Thomas Jefferson's custom saddle case for transporting his pochette (pocket fiddle) via horseback to the local tavern. It is known that he owned an Amati, but would not travel with it for fear of damage.
I will keep an eye out for the information you seek.
Don
Posted by: Don Rickert | April 16, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!
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