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Bridge/soundpost/bass bar relationship
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Just4Fun
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April 15, 2015 - 8:07 pm
Member Since: March 18, 2015
Forum Posts: 62
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I got my new violin (CVN-700) about a month ago and while I generally love it I know it needs some adjusting.  I was going to take it for a sound post adjustment but decided I should at least break it in first with some playing time and see how it settles. Last week I played around with a spare bridge, sanding it thinner and fitting the feet better after watching the @Fiddlerman video again and noticing he said the cecilio bridges were too thick (another video review had the same comment).  There was certainly a small improvement but I still felt like G/D/A were dull (no change with a new set of strings).

This week the G string seemed to be getting worse, responsiveness was awful.  I came across some forum posts that mention the bridge placement in relationship to the bass bar and luthiers were saying they would first be sure the bridge foot was centered over the bass bar even if it meant the bridge wasn't centered with the fingerboard. 

From what I could tell my bridge foot and bass bar were not lined up, so I slid it over a bit (then resanded the feet to fit better in the new position).  I swear it's like a totally different violin.  The G is only slightly slow to respond, only so much that I'd be willing to blame it on my skill level and all the strings are clear, no more muted dullness!

Just thought I'd share the change and improvement since I hadn't seen this mentioned much on fiddlerman.  Also has me wondering if it's really the relative bass bar position or the change relative to the soundpost that made the change.  Even though I didn't move the soundpost, the position relative to the bridge is different too.

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Oliver
NC

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April 15, 2015 - 10:43 pm
Member Since: February 28, 2011
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Can you guesstimate how far a "little bit" was ?

You routine is often considered in the class of sound post adjustment.

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

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Just4Fun
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April 16, 2015 - 8:15 am
Member Since: March 18, 2015
Forum Posts: 62
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@Oliver it measures about 2mm off center towards the E string (I would have sworn it was more than that by just looking). 

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
April 16, 2015 - 9:35 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Good point Just4Fun. I've never mentioned this but it does make a difference. Glad you pointed it out.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

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EricBluegrassFiddle
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April 30, 2015 - 4:34 pm
Member Since: August 18, 2014
Forum Posts: 183
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I read that the soundpost when compressed betwen the top and back in relation to the bridge helps transfer the sound frequency's from the strings and bridge through the top and back, producing the timbre of the Violin.

If I'm not mistaken, as a general rule, more towards the center of the belly, enhances the bass and mid range and more towards the f-hole and bridge will have a tendency to enhance the "higher frequencies"

Also, I know it's a bit controversial but I believe a well constructed carved top instrument ( I know this from having experienced it with hand carved Mandolins ) actually change somewhat and generally "improve" in tone and volume slightly with use and time. Especially the first year or so of heavy use of a new Violin after it's been well set-up.

There's alot of theories that float around as to "how" or "why" and frankly many seem plausable. But I think the phenomenon is real, albeit slight. It seems to go through periods where it sounds tighter, to more open. generally there is a deepening of timbre as well as a slight increase in volume and response over time and use with a good Violin.

" I just keep telling myself...."It's all about becoming one with your bow"

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