Stroh One-String Jap Fiddle
date: label: Date made
content: 1904-1940
name: label: maker
content: Stroh, John M. A.
notes: label: Description
content: This Stroh One-String Jap Fiddle patented by John M. A. Stroh, British Patent #9418, 1899 and manufactured by George Evans & Co. in London, England 1904-1942. John Mathias Augustus Stroh and an associate, Charles Wheatstone produced numerous innovations in telegraphy and the study of acoustics. They collaborated with Stroh’s son, Charles Stroh and George Evans, both violin makers, in the development of “Stroh” instruments. The patent application refers to the attachment of an aluminum diaphram and horn to amplify the sound of a vibrating string. The concept was adapted for use on modified violins, violas, cellos, mandolins, and guitars.
label: Description
content: This instrument is often known as the Japanese fiddle or One-String Jap fiddle. The name likely originated from the Japanese exhibition held in London at the end of the 19th century. It was produced in three models: “Home,” “Concert” and “Professional,” priced at 35s, £3 and £12 respectively. George Chirgwin popularized the Jap Fiddle on the British music hall stage. The body, neck, “pegbox” and “scroll” outline of this instrument are fashioned from a single narrow piece of mahogany with a dark red-brown varnish. There are aluminum knee grips and a single gear tuning mechanism.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United Kingdom: England, London
setName: label: See more items in
content: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments
label: See more items in
content: Music & Musical Instruments
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content: Violins
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: MI.72.06
label: catalog number
content: 72.06
label: accession number
content: 297494
objectType: label: Object Name
content: jap fiddle
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: mahogany (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: aluminum (knee grips material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 35 in x 13 3/4 in x 7 3/8 in; 88.9 cm x 34.925 cm x 18.7325 cm