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"Pimp My... Violin?"
Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 Topic Rating: 0 (0 votes) 
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bob.andrews
Apalachicola Florida

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June 22, 2011 - 3:52 pm
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Well I am still waiting to hear if the 30 dollar violin i found on craigs list is still up for sale if it is I will buy it and do a sound comparison of the 2. The one that has the sweetest sound to me will be left untouched the other will be the first one i attempt to customize. That one will be the dixie flag (yes I know its called the confederate flag but that name evoces many unwanted emotions in some) I will do a small recording of the violin with me just bowing the open strings before the change and after and will post the both the pics of the finished product as well as the video of the sound so all can hear if there were any changes and laugh at me if my idea was a major fail for the sound quality. Honestly though I think with the way it sounds now a professional paint job with an air brush will both give it the look i am going for and also possibly even out the sound quality as well. But still doing homework on it at the moment.

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anathama
Maine, USA

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June 22, 2011 - 4:53 pm
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Bob, have you considered just drawing one on yourself with sharpies? People do it to guitars all the time, and it wouldn't affect the sound.

It's not a difficult design, you could do it yourself. You could even use masking tape so you get the lines right. It depends on how dark the varnish is on your instrument though.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
June 22, 2011 - 5:42 pm
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That's an interesting idea anathama. Do you have more tips on how to do that?
I once did something similar to Bob and had my Luthier air-brush something cool on my 3rd fiddle in which I had a Fishman violin bridge with a built-in pickup. The fiddle was not that great so I figured I had nothing to loose. Unfortunately I never took any pictures. 

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

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bob.andrews
Apalachicola Florida

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June 22, 2011 - 7:08 pm
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Anathama I think you have a great idea my violin is dark but I might be able to figure it out. Unfortunatly I couldnt draw a straight line with a ruler to save my life lol. Fiddlerman did the airbrushing effect the sound of your violin? And would anyone know if they make sharpies in red and blue? I have only seen black and as far as artistic abilities.... well once the idea popped in my head i cant stop dreaming of new ideas for both traditional violins and home made electric violins where I KNOW paint and body design would not effect the sound quality.

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KewKewKatchew
Pompano Beach, Florida

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June 22, 2011 - 8:52 pm
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bob.andrews said:

And would anyone know if they make sharpies in red and blue?

There are Sharpies for every color in the rainbow. 

http://home-and-garden.webshot.....6460GNthjl

If you decide Sharpies are the best way to go, perhaps you should post an ad on Craigslist looking for someone to Sharpie-up your violin? Lol, I'm sure someone would be willing. The electric violin idea also is very smart. That way you know you aren't risking the sound quality. Definitely something I may try out.Smile

 

Fiddlerman,

I'm also curious about how your violin sounded after the airbrush paint job. 

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anathama
Maine, USA

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June 22, 2011 - 11:23 pm
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They even make white sharpies. If your varnish is very dark you could do a primer layer with one.

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
June 23, 2011 - 8:32 am
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This gets better and better. I believe that someone can make a good business filling this void.

My fiddle was poor to begin with and that is why I chose to do this. In a way I think that the sound was even better. Since it was done by my Luthier friend I am sure that he knew what to use for the base color (black). He air-brushed cool red and yellow pin stripes. Even pimped my scroll. I might be able to find a picture since I put it on the "SWEDISH" craigslist, so they must be somewhere on this computer.

The sound could have been better because it was in his hands and he probably adjusted everything at the same time. Also the bridge that was on it when I found it at the flea market was bad. The Fisher bridge was fit by him (Jan Larsoon) my luthier friend.

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

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bob.andrews
Apalachicola Florida

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June 27, 2011 - 10:07 am
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OK Its gonna take time to find someone I trust to do the customization on my fiddle. I know its called a violin in here everywhere but I figured if I was gonna learn fiddle I should call it a fiddle. But on the long lost topic of the dragon violin/fiddle I think I have an idea. I am thinking the final product would be an electric model. I will attempt to post my idea here as I seem to be able to come up with great (in my opinion lol) concept ideas. But lack the aptitude to bring them from the theoretical to reality.

 OK here goes. The dragons body will be small chrome articulated pieces of metal. Imagine basically the classic skeleton dragon from the celtic mythos. Now shrink it down to a lil over 2 feet long, basically, as it can be made any size needed. Articulate the tail to form the basic shape of the top of a question mark (?) lose the dot at the bottom. The tail can be left somewhat articulated for ease of movement and the tip of the tail would be the classic heart shape. The tail would go from the left shoulder around the back of the neck across the right shoulder a lil inside the right collar bone and the the heart shaped tip would rest against the chest.

The body of the violin/fiddle would be the body of the dragon itself. The skeletal pelvis would house the tuning knobs.and the hind legs would be tucked in as if in flight.But both the hip joints knee joints and ankle joints would have recessed screws to allow the individual owner to move the hind legs into a position against their shoulder/collar bone area  for maximum comfort and to also be a built in adjustable shoulder rest if desired.

The gap from the top of the pelvis to the bottom of the rib cage would give you the area you need to bow. Attached to the shoulder blades would be the wings formed into a slightly spread pose and then formed into a slight curl for both asthetics (sp?) and to keep them out of the way. Put removeable small weights in the underside of either the ribs or the wings to keep them hidden and to allow each player or owner to adjust for perfect balance.

The neck can be made using both the chrome style of metal vertabrae (sp?) and a clear epoxy to give it a manageble area for proper fingering.The spikes in the base of the skull would act as the friction pegs. As its an electric violin/fiddle you could add LED eyes and definatly give this beauty and open roaring mouth.

All adjustments for the sound and hookups can be hidden in the underside of the pelvis. And most definatly give it headphone hook ups there as well.afro

 Ok first what do you guys think? and second if you know any artist willing to make one please foard my design idea to them. And if any company would like to produce this model I only ask one small insignificant thing..... I get one free lol

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
June 27, 2011 - 11:04 am
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I think that this sounds super cool and I am really anxious to see the result. I call it a fiddle too. afro

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

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bob.andrews
Apalachicola Florida

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June 27, 2011 - 11:56 am
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Well if you know anyone in the buisness that can take this idea from conception to reality  please feel free to see what they think. And if they could throw one my way once its in the production phase that would be an added bonus. If not ...well... maybe I could get a discounted price for coming up with the idea lol thumbs-up

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KewKewKatchew
Pompano Beach, Florida

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June 27, 2011 - 7:46 pm
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I was in the process of reading Bob's post when I noticed the AFRO-SMILEY and got completely distracted! Whatthumbs-up Thanks fiddlerman!

 

Bob, your fiddle idea sounds awesome. I'd get one... no doubt about it. The weighted wings seem a little odd to me though. Maybe just wings that can come on and off? I may have misunderstood that part. I'm sure you would need to find a variety of people that would be willing to mingle and work together. The work would be so worth it though. And as epic as the idea sounds, I'm afraid it would cost a fortune! If I could afford it, I'd be willing. However, I had to put aside a bit of cash in order to get myself a $99 violin. The sound seems to sound worse each time I play too embarassed Maybe I should be investing in a decent violin before investing in a dragon, LOL.

 

cheers b33r

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bob.andrews
Apalachicola Florida

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June 27, 2011 - 8:57 pm
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the idea of the weights were for balance. By using the articulated tail around the back of the neck and setting the back legs against the left side of your chest as a stablizing point i didnt want the violin to be off sided on the weight issue. But as has been pointed out to me before I have a habit of over thinking things.

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Readalot
Albuquerque NM

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June 27, 2011 - 9:46 pm
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Bob there are a laughlot of people who would help you for free, just so they could be able to say "I did this!"

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bob.andrews
Apalachicola Florida

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June 27, 2011 - 10:33 pm
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Well I guess we will see. I just sent off an e-mail to KK Music Store asking someone to contact me. I actually asked if someone in the R&D dept could contact me I really hope they HAVE a R&D dept lol. I will wait a few days to see if I get a response. If so I will post the result here. If not I will try again and again. Worst thing they could say is no and I have heard it sooo many times in my life it holds no surprises lol.cheers

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Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
June 28, 2011 - 10:05 am
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Probably KK will not be interested in helping out because they are in the business of importing and selling instruments and accessories for profit. But who knows.

My thought was to contact the art department at some high schools, colleges or universities. I remember my parents used to go to hair styling schools to get their hair cut for free when I was young. I also remember some of my friends going to get their cars worked on for free or just the cost of parts. I can easily see an art project coming out of this.

As far as the details of your dragon fiddle is concerned, make sure that you keep the weight down as much as possible. Also, spend extra attention in making it comfortable to hold.

thumbs-up

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

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