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I have a circo 1900 German a hand made. Oolong which has no base bar.
The top plate is coming away from the side wall so I guess I could split it properly and fit a bass bar if needed, butdoo I really need one?
It has no nut so I cannot properly fit strings yet to see how it sounds.
Any advice?
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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Ps. An Oolong is. Violin when using an iPhone to post, lol
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Honorary advisor
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TerryT said
Ps. An Oolong is. Violin when using an iPhone to post, lol
Best typo ever!
As for the actual topic, I think you probably need a bass bar. But I reckon it'd be easier to add a nut and strings and try it out first, just for a fun comparison! (Unless that seam crack is too bad...)
~ Once you've ruled out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be true. ~
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TerryT said
Ps. An Oolong is. Violin when using an iPhone to post, lol
Think I'll go have a cup of violin.
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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You won't really be able to hear what it will sound like with adding a nut and stringing it up because the base-bar is vital for the sound. Just as vital for the sound as the sound-post.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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TerryT said
Ps. An Oolong is. Violin when using an iPhone to post, lol
I soooo know what you mean
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of 
..... What was I saying???? 
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Doesn't the bass bar transfer the G string (bass) vibrations to produce the deep rich sound? The sound post transfers the E string and treble, at least how I understand it. I would think without the bass bar, your lows would be dull and without life at best. I really don't know. A rubber band on a cigar box or oatmeal canister certainly gives bass but I seriously doubt if you'd get that deep powerful carrying energy in your sound waves from your lower tones without it.
I think you've discovered a permanent mute - rip out the bass bar and the sound post. 
On a side note, I do have to commend your iphones spell checker.
Its top grumjug!! (sp. notch 
)
"I find your lack of Fiddle, disturbing" - Darth Vader
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The bass bar is called bass bar because it is glued along the underside of the top directly beneath the G string side foot of the bridge but it has a balancing affect as well and affects the entire sound of the violin. It also strengthens the top for the pressure of the bridge. I have played on violins before having the bass bar changed and then after and promise you that their is a big difference in the whole sound afterwards.
Even though the sound-post is under the E string side of the bridge, moving it affects the sound on the G string as well as the top.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Pierre that is what I was jut going to say about the bass bar.
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Could it have been made without a bass bar fitted. I can understand a dislodged sound post coming out of the f hole, but a bass bar?
As the top is coming loose, I will lift it and see if there are any witness marks of a previous fitting, or maybe it's wedged in there somewhere
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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Exactly!
I'm guessing it snot there coz I can't see it through the f hole
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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Is it possible the bass bar was just made wrong? Maybe the wrong length or completely placed wrong? I can see the edge of mine if I look sideways through the F hole.
Take pictures along this journey. I'm interested to see how you go about this "operation"
"I find your lack of Fiddle, disturbing" - Darth Vader
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Good shout Kevin,
Shining a bright lightthrough the f hole and lookingthrough the end pin hole and there it is. Smaller profile than I expected, but there it is.
Now to glue the seam together.
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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So Terry, when you become proficient on your Oolong, will you post a video; can't wait to hear what it sounds like; sounds like very mystical instrument!
Btw, I've noticed a huge variation in the size and shape of bass bars, from country of origin, to violin style, to year made, to factory v. handmade. Oddly, I've noticed the Germans do have sparser bars,,, never knew why. Get yourself a $2 dental mirror buddy so you can see the inerds!
Ad Btw, the Italia shirt is GREAT; just washed and dried it so that it fits me (I'm no longer the manly XL that I once was, in the body at least, lol). Thanks so much; I'm loving it; gonna wear it when I drive my Alpha around the hood!
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ftufc said
So Terry, when you become proficient on your Oolong, will you post a video; can't wait to hear what it sounds like; sounds like very mystical instrument!
Btw, I've noticed a huge variation in the size and shape of bass bars, from country of origin, to violin style, to year made, to factory v. handmade. Oddly, I've noticed the Germans do have sparser bars,,, never knew why. Get yourself a $2 dental mirror buddy so you can see the inerds!
Ad Btw, the Italia shirt is GREAT; just washed and dried it so that it fits me (I'm no longer the manly XL that I once was, in the body at least, lol). Thanks so much; I'm loving it; gonna wear it when I drive my Alpha around the hood!
Haha, good one Fred. Unfortunately I made a schoolboy error this afternoon after fitting a new nut and strings. Forgot to periodically check the bridge whilst adjusting the strings. Snapped the old bridge in 2 as it collapsed! Doh!
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Need a bridge? I'll send you one but it might take awhile to get there.
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Many thanks for your kind offer Kevin, but as you say, it will take a while to get here, and I'm an impatient so and so.
I'll have to go to my local shop and grab a new one (and spares haha) and some new/old pegs and I want a few nut blanks so that I can experiment with heights etc.
Any hints on re-varnishing?
Should I bother? Or leave it as it is now?
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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That's cool Terry. You are also bitten by the luthier bug now. 
Will we have the pleasure of meeting you in California?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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