Although the Fiddler commonly refers to it as his "fiddle", this device is actually a Stradivarius violin - a specially designed stringed instrument based upon designs originated by Antonio Stradivari in 1644. Although this is the instrument that Bowen commonly used as the focus of his powers, his first violin was actually a custom made device, similar in design to a classic Stradivarius, but constructed from crude materials in a prison cell in India. During the 1940s, the Fiddler used his first Fiddle as a tool by which to hypnotize his victims, as well as produce violent bursts of sonic energy. Invariably, his crime sprees were always foiled by the Flash, and the fiddle was confiscated. The Fiddler eventually regained possession of this instrument and used it for further acts of villainy