Yes there is a difference. The wood on the fiddle is going to be a little thinner than the wood in a violin. The Violin is going to be thicker because the strain from the strings.
The fiddle belongs to the violin family, which includes instruments such as the violin, viola, and cello. These string instruments are typically played with a bow and share similar construction features, including a hollow wooden body and four strings. The term "fiddle" is often used interchangeably with "violin," particularly in folk and traditional music contexts.
The viola is larger than the violin, with the viola typically being around 2-3 inches longer in body length compared to the violin. This difference in size also affects the sound and range of the instruments.
The sound of a fiddle, or violin, comes from the vibration of its strings, which are typically made of gut, steel, or synthetic materials. When the player bows or plucks the strings, these vibrations resonate within the hollow body of the instrument, amplifying the sound. The shape and construction of the fiddle contribute to its tonal quality, with the f-holes on the top allowing sound to project outward. Thus, the combination of string vibration and body resonance creates the characteristic sound of the fiddle.
I have seen, on this site, several answers which make the violin and the fiddle identical instruments. In fact, my teacher, Boris Schwarz, used to call his instrument a fiddle (though he played classical violin). There is a difference, however, between the two. On the violin, the bridge has a typical curve that raises the strings and separates them from one another. Bariolage (moving from string to string and back again rapidly) is possisble because of the nature of this bridge. However, on a fiddle the artist might NOT want this traditional curve to the bridge and ask the maker to REDUCE the curve of the bridge to make bowing and double stopes easier.
The size of a Violin is measured by the size of the body only. A 4/4 ("Full Size") Violin tends to have a body size of around 14 inches. As violin sizes are non-standardized, this size will vary depending on who made the violin, when it was made and where.
Sound in a fiddle, or violin, is produced by drawing a bow across the strings, causing them to vibrate. The vibration of the strings is then amplified by the hollow body of the instrument. The pitch of the sound is determined by the string's thickness, tension, and length, which can be altered by pressing the strings against the fingerboard. Additionally, techniques like pizzicato (plucking the strings) or using harmonics can create different sound textures.
It depends on your electric violin. A hollow-body violin with an acoustic pickup (basically, a traditional violin with a microphone built into it) will make sound just like a standard acoustic violin. A solid-body electric violin will make sound without an amp...but unless you're the violin player, you won't hear it.
Spruce or maple.
The viola is larger than the violin, with a longer body and longer strings.
A violin-shaped bass guitar has a unique design that resembles a violin, offering a distinctive look and feel. It typically has a smaller body size and a curved shape, making it more comfortable to play for some musicians. The benefits of a violin-shaped bass guitar include its lightweight and compact design, which can make it easier to transport and play for extended periods. Additionally, the violin shape can provide a different tone and resonance compared to traditional bass guitars, offering a unique sound for musicians looking for a distinct and unconventional instrument.
On your chin in the chin rest.
The head, the neck, and the body.