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violin buzz
faint buzzing when playing
Topic Rating: 2 Topic Rating: 2 Topic Rating: 2 Topic Rating: 2 Topic Rating: 2 Topic Rating: 2 (1 votes) 
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Blueboy

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November 10, 2013 - 2:43 pm
Member Since: November 1, 2013
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My violin is making an odd sound. It sounds like a faint buzzing. I've had the violin for only a couple of months but the sound is something new. I hear it the most when playing the D string, but it's there on all 4. I have a Snark tuner clamped on the scroll, at first I thought it was the on/off button. But even with it removed I hear the same sound. I removed the chin rest and shoulder rest and it's still there.  From what I hear, if I pluck the strings the sound is not there. I hear it only with the bow.

I appreciate some help.
Blue
 
P.S. It's not the G string. I just broke it cry
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Ferret
Byron Bay Australia
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November 10, 2013 - 4:13 pm
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Hi Blue

Have you changed the strings lately? Or anything else?

I don't know what type of fine tuners your violin has but check that none have become a bit loose on the tailpiece.

Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of dunno ..... What was I saying???? facepalm

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 10, 2013 - 4:52 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Could be the cut of the nut, end button, bad string, fine tuner, base bar (very rare), fingerboard is not concave enough, open seam.....

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

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Blueboy

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November 10, 2013 - 4:54 pm
Member Since: November 1, 2013
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Hi John, 

Ya I was messing around with the fine tuners (4). Was readjusting the G, watching the Snark tuner instead of using my ears, and then it snapped.

Looks like I'll need a new set from the Fiddler Shop.

The chin rest is the newest thing, but with it off the noise is still there.

Blue

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 10, 2013 - 9:17 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

Yes, that is right, forgot to mention the chinrest. LOL

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

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Blueboy

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November 10, 2013 - 9:53 pm
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Fiddlerman said
Yes, that is right, forgot to mention the chinrest. LOL

Stuber (fiddler Shop) chin rest I have. I need some strings... Talk to ya in the AM. I didn't like the G string any way, it sounded kinda flat.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 11, 2013 - 7:26 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

What I meant about the chinrest is that it could be installed loose, it could also be touching the tailpiece. The chinrests themselves don't make vibrating sounds as far as I know. If the chinrest touches the tailpiece and you don't want to relocate it, you can mark the spot where it touches and carve out the wood at that spot. :-)

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

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Kevin M.
Nicholson, Pa
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November 14, 2013 - 12:14 pm
Member Since: September 10, 2011
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I'd like to see a picture of the string height and the nut. Then put a straight edge on the fingerboard and take  a shot of the light coming out from under it.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 15, 2013 - 9:28 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429

That would be the most obvious reason Kevin but lately I'm dealing with some problems not related to the string touching the fingerboard which are very frustrating.
We set up a nice K565 with a BB bridge and a built-in jack and it has a buzz that we just can't figure out. I'm suspecting the bass bar.

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

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Kevin M.
Nicholson, Pa
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November 15, 2013 - 11:33 am
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Fiddlerman said
That would be the most obvious reason Kevin but lately I'm dealing with some problems not related to the string touching the fingerboard which are very frustrating.
We set up a nice K565 with a BB bridge and a built-in jack and it has a buzz that we just can't figure out. I'm suspecting the bass bar.

If you can make the noise when ever you want to then while making the noise press along the top plate and if the noise goes away at some point or lessons then it could well be the bass bar.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 17, 2013 - 3:01 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
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Great tip Kevin. :-) Will try it.

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

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Crazymotive

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November 19, 2013 - 7:28 am
Member Since: January 18, 2012
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I once started getting a buzzing sound when i was playing. It turned out to be the silver winding on my D string was coming loose. I didn't realize it but earlier on I had accidentally bumped the neck of the violin on the metal edge of the music stand right across the strings.  The moment it happened I was concerned as to whether or not I damaged the violin. Luckily I didn't even put a dent or a scratch in it but I overlooked the fact that the metal edge nicked and cut the silver winding on the D and it was slowly starting to unravel and, as it did the vibrations of the D and the adjacent strings set the loose winding into vibration and created the annoying buzz.  the fix was to replace the string. This could of course happen to the G or A as well.

In any event, I post this as one more thing to consider and check if your violin starts making strange noises that it should not.

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Blueboy

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December 15, 2013 - 10:42 pm
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Thanks to everyone for your help. 

My violin was complaining it was thirsty. With winter approaching and the wood stove burning the air was drying out. I got a hygrometer from the Fiddler Shop and realized the humidity was 27% 
 
I also got a new set of strings (Fiddler Shop), Obligato with the optional chrome A. THESE STRINGS ARE AWESOME!!! They seemed to help a little but it was definitely the low humidity. I tried a Dampit but it didn't seem to be enough. So I ended up making a cupboard out of select pine to keep my violin happy. I raised the humidity over a couple of weeks to a preferred 55-60%. Now it's up to me to make the sound coming out of it better each day.
 
 
Everyone have a very merry Christmas!
The greatest gift of all is the gift from God. Babies might be cute, but this baby, the baby Jesus, grew to a man, went to the cross for our sins, died, rose from the grave the third day and is alive today at the right hand of God.
 
God bless, Blue
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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
December 15, 2013 - 11:00 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16429
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Thanks for the update. Nice to hear about the Obligato strings too. I used to use them but never with the chrome A. Maybe it's time to revisit these strings. :-)

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

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