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I know that you're not supposed to make any violence to the soundboard such as mount a volume pot on it.
But theoretically, what would be the least bad place for it? Where is the soundboard least vibrant? My guess would be right outside the f-hole, near the corner. Does that sound correct? I mean, there's a corner block right beside that spot and besides that's where the soundboard meets the ribs.
The attached pickup has a unique feature in that it can be placed where it sounds best.
The bridge system is, of course, in one place and tends to "quack" more.
The attached pickup may lose a little bandwidth (fidelity) but not really a problem.
I'm using an attached pickup on one fiddle.
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Pardon me... I don't understand what this has to do with my question?
I wouldn't dream of desecrating my fiddle with a piezo. What I wonder is this:
"I know that you're not supposed to make any violence to the soundboard such as mount a volume pot on it.
But theoretically, what would be the least bad place for it? Where is the soundboard least vibrant? My guess would be right outside the f-hole, near the corner. Does that sound correct? I mean, there's a corner block right beside that spot and besides that's where the soundboard meets the ribs."
Sorry, just a little confusion in language.
I believe that the end of the violin where chin rests are mounted is a "quiet" area due to internal blocks but I do not have any experience with the vibration patterns around the body.
What type of volume control are you planning to mount? Carpenter jack?
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Not sure about the jack. I'd prefer a hole in the ribs on the left side if I figure out how to reinforce them, otherwise in the chinrest. The volume control would be the smallest thing I can find, small enought to pass through the f-hole. That part, to the right of the right f-hole, would be most practical. Logically it should be a relatively quite place too.
I'd like this fiddle to be an electro-acoustic, or actually a true electric with full acoustic resonance. However, I do not really dare speaking openly about making holes in an acoustic instrument. Therefore I try to keep the discussion on a theoretical level...
Well, I certainly shy away from the idea of holes, particularly with a quality violin. Besides, the idea of a volume control leads me up a blind alley. Such a device would suggest that there existed an amp with a remote volume capability. Just a lone volume control without other electronics is a big question in my mind?
My various electro-acoustic attempts (piezo) have met with some success but only because of a lot of equalizer options ...... never better than piezo can do.
The carpenter jack is essentially the hardware that mounts a chin rest but usually with a mount for a 1/4" plug. I've seen different versions.
(Yes, I'll snap up the first reasonable magnetic p/u that comes out!)
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You can get a good magnetic from REBO, designed by Uli Bösking in Germany. Also, you could easily make one for yourself. Find two coils from a Fender Rhodes electric piano and solder them together. Make a piece of wood arched like the fingerboard and make a hole for each coil, one hole between G and D strings, the other between A and E. The most elegant solution would be drilling the holes directly into the fingerboard.
I've never needed an equalizer, just straight ahead into the guitar amp. Before I got my electric built, I used the pu with an acoustic fiddle. An onboard volume pot is a good idea. Between songs, the volume can easily be turned down so that the instrument doesn't feedback. Besides, it can be used to change sound quality. Less volume from the instrument gives a warmer and softer sound.
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Usually I have to mute my acoustic violin if I want to record it haha. I don't know much about pickups specifically. If I do want to amplify my violin, I would typically use my electric violin instead, though that might be a pricier option for you.
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This fiddle will be amplified but I'm not sure about details like the volume pot. I will have an solidbody electric built too.
The pickup is no problem, but it's the volume pot that concerns me.
My question was if the area to the right of the right f-hole would be the best place for the pot. The soundboard should be relatively stiff there.
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I made a test today with some neodium magnets on the soundboard. I did in fact experience a slight loss of tone and output volume, especially when not bowing very hard. When I got the magnets all the way out to the edge, the loss was barely noticeable, but it wouldn't be possible mounting the volume pot there. The loss grew bigger the farther back towards the tail end I moved the magnets.
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If you get a chance I would love to see some pictures. Very curious about this.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Kevin M. said
Why not put the pot in the ribs?
I've been thinking about that. Maybe the pot can be put into the pickup. The reason for putting it into the soundboard is aesthetic... I like the look of electric attributes and I want the fiddle to look electric.
Fiddlerman said
If you get a chance I would love to see some pictures. Very curious about this.
When this fiddle is ready, the world will know all about it... Some photos here: http://www.fiddlehangout.com/m.....p?id=26798
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