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Violin Maintenance
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damfino
my own little world
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November 15, 2016 - 3:30 pm
Member Since: July 23, 2015
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How often is it recommended to have your violin looked over by a luthier? Or how often do you (being whoever is reading this... so yes, you! ;) ) take yours in for a check-up to be sure all is ok?

Just wondering, because it was brought up in the chat today, so I did a little google, and saw annually seems to be recommended, and wondered if that is a good rule to go by?

I've had my expensive fiddle just a little over a year now (wow, time flies!) so it just got me wondering if I need to take it in to be sure nothing shifted too much, that the humid summer or dry winter months weren't too hard on it, and now going into another long dry winter season again (I do have a case humidifier).

(Also wondering this because my Ming seems to be getting brighter and brighter, and the D and G don't seem as nice and deep as they used to.)

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coolpinkone
California, the place of my heart
November 15, 2016 - 4:21 pm
Member Since: January 11, 2012
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I am curious too.  I have never had my Ming looked at or my Soloist.  I have sent pics when my bridge seems off to my knowledgeable violin friends for help.  Or posted here.

I have been playing with my Soloist lately because I have "fresher strings on it."

My Ming came with Larsen strings... not the Virtuosos but the "other" Larsen strings.  I love them very much.  I can tell my Ming is in need of new strings as it is playing  not as fantastic as it did in the beginning.    I know I need to change strings I have played that violin  A LOT this past year.   I believe I am at a year and four months on the same strings.

When I was testing the Ming vs my soloist I wanted to test violins with the same strings...so I have Larsen's on the Soloist too .. yippee... 

Thank goodness I have another violin with the same strings and I am having a ball. I am happy to report that my soloist 1st generation sounds BEAUTIFUL... more beautiful than ever.  I will be using it for the Christmas project this year.

So I didn't answer the question, but I blathered on and on about my violin.   :)  

I look at my bridge and I visually examine my violins.   I don't know about sound post stuff and I AM NEVER EVER EVER MESSING WITH A SOUND POST.  And I am still in denial of the day that one ever falls... 

Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato

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damfino
my own little world
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November 15, 2016 - 4:58 pm
Member Since: July 23, 2015
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I did email the question about annual violin maintenance off to the "Ask a Luthier" youtube crew at Fiddlershop :) I am curious what is recommended in that regard. :)  

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 16, 2016 - 6:00 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16430

Great idea Mandy. How often you need to have your instrument looked at depends on how much you maintain it yourself. Also, if there are issues that affect the sound all of a sudden. Brightness is not an issue, rather a characteristic. You post can be moved further from the bridge and a longer post can give a darker sound but only if it's located too far out. Added pressure is not good. Amo strings are very dark sounding. :)

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damfino
my own little world
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November 16, 2016 - 6:31 pm
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I'll look up those strings :) I figured the tone change is my fiddle growing up, the E is just going through a rather shrill stage, so I keep thinking about it more than I normally would, lol.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
November 16, 2016 - 10:20 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16430

Perhaps the whole thing is E string related. Test out the Westminster E string. Darker and brings out darkness though out the fiddle.

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but the one who needs the least."

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