Stumpf Fiddle History

Best as we can make out, the stumpf fiddle was born of the rhythm sticks that may have come over to America from Central Europe. We found little information about the whys and wherefores, but can imagine it made its way here in the early 1900s with the waves of immigrants.

Legend (or maybe fact) has it that the modern stumpf fiddle was conceived by Charlie and Bob Cronin, along with a gentleman named Bill Schwartz. These guys met at a Packers game with rhythm sticks in tow, and combined their efforts to market the things by way of The Fiddle Factory (couldn't find a web site, but it may still be in business in Sheboygan, WI).

According to The Conertina and Stumf Fiddle Appreciation Page, the Cronin brothers nicknamed their axe after Harry Stumpf, who may be a handicapped (pegleg) myth. (You tell us if he's real or not—his picture's on our fiddle!)

Wikipedia makes mention of the stumpf fiddle on its Pogocello page, ascribing it as the basis for Mack Perry's invention in the 1950s, so we know it's been around for at least 50 years.

That's all we've got. If you've got more (real or imaginary) let us know!