I began my Luthierie with the violin.  I couldn’t decide whether to build a violin or guitar, so I went to the library and checked out books on both of them. Because of the smaller size of the violin, I chose to build it.  My only problem was that the plans had been taken out of the library book. 

See my plans in action: Don Morris builds his 3rd violin.  Yeah, that is me with a really cheesy web site I did a long time ago. I didn’t really have the exact same plans back then, but close enough!

I am still very interested in violins, and really wish that I could play them better.  This site currently offers 3 different plans, from traditional to quite different.

Loose 1720 Strad

Comes on two plates - the first one shown above. This is my interpretation of a 1720 Strad.  Looks and sounds great.  Includes details for Body, neck, fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece, and chin rest.

This plan is also available as a free download - but the quality is significantly lower due to technical specifications.

Loose 1720 Strad - 2 plates ............... $5.00

Free download! You must be able to print these plans full size on legal (8.5 x 14 inch) paper, and then take them to your local copy center and enlarge them by precisely 133% to make usable plans out of them.  Kind of complicated, but the price is right.

Flat Topped Guitar Shaped Violin

Only at donsplans. Very interesting violin is built from flat 1/8" stock for both of the plates. The body shape is simplified and very much like a small guitar. It is also significantly wider than a Strad to enhance the volume. Don’t expect Stradivarius quality sound from it, but it is a fun unique plan. All playing dimensions are the same as a standard violin.  Much easier to build than a standard violin.

Flat Violin - 2 plates ............... $5.00

17th Century Pochette

Another donsplans exclusive. Very small violins were known by a variety of names - including kit (England), sordine (Italy), and pochette (France).  They came in a variety of shapes, and were popular in the 17th and 18th century - particularly with dance instructors who kept them in large pockets and brought them out to provide music for lessons.  The shape of this particularly elegant pochette is loosely taken from an actual 17th century pochette, but the body has been sized slightly up and the neck and fingerboards have been kept the same size as an ordinary violin to facilitate playing and purchasing parts.  Again on two plates - the first one is shown.  This plan requires a custom fabricated tailpiece.

Pochette - 2 plates ............... $5.00

My 5th violin, which I completed at 3 AM on my 21st birthday.  Detail of scroll at the top of the page.