Wiplstix Travel/ Practice Violin
The "Infiddel"
WipLstix is the minimalist's travel violin I invented in 1999. There are now over 950 of them floating around the galaxy, and they are still made solely by me in my shop in the southern Appalachians. The length between its bridge and nut is that of a standard 4/4 violin, but the body has been minimized to maximize portability so its overall length is 1.5" shorter than you are used to. The entire kit weighs in at 1 lb 3 oz. WipLstix is a self contained unit, and with a 1/8th size bow and inflatable chinrest (sold separately), they will fit inside a 2" diameter by 24" long watertight, traveling, tube transporter. Now available is a classical chinrest that gives the player more stability. It breaks down but doesnt fit in the tube. I just found an archived video about wiplstix in Fine woodworking if you want a word from the maker.
As of 02/28/26
Wiplstix are back in stock. I am further simplifying an overcomplicated world by offering Wiplstix exclusively in our native black walnut which has proved itself over the decades as a superior wood for sound, stability, lightness, beauty, and sustainability. I am excited to have "pretty liddle fiddles" again.
Relatively new things:
I have added an option for higher-quality strings on the Wiplstix.
For those that want a more traditional set up, check out the traditional chinrest/ shoulder rest. A threaded adaptor that mounts the chinrest with a bolt will replace the tuning pitch pipe at the butt of the instrument and a lightweight chin/ shoulder rest can be screwed in and out. The chinrest won't fit in the case like the inner tube, but they break down and are lightweight and quite minimal.
Woods of choice:
Black Walnut- is native to the East coast. It is a common, fast growing, "early succession" tree which makes it high on my list for regenerative agriculture. It is the standard workhorse wood that I prefer for wiplstix being very stable, having a balanced warm sound and projection, and rich dark chocolate color. That said, I sometimes do small runs of oddball woods when I take a fancy. You'll have to personal message me for current availability.
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Spruce on top-
​​​​​ Currently I am working through some nice Engleman spruce from eastern Washington state. (I just posted in the bla bla blog about the different woods in more detail if you like a little story telling) If you would like to order a Wiplstix go to the wiplstore page or if you have questions please feel free to send an email to: whipplebill@hotmail.com
or call me at 828-713 -2424 and one of my operators from overseas will gladly be able to help you in a dialect you will find impossible to comprehend. Please feel to browse the site, the Wiplworld pages are especially fun to peruse.
"Proves you not only think outside the box,
you don't even know where the box is!"
- A. Miller
Wiplstix customer