Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Member
Offline
Hi there,
Last night, my violin made a strange creaking noise and every string came loose simultaneously
I cannot see anything obvious, but I am struggling to believe that my teacher says I just need some peg gunk . I mean they all came loose at ONCE, with a creak, like there was some kind of shift
Any ideas? and as simple as possible please
Offline
Hi, @PippyLongstocking. Sorry to read about your issue. I am going to put a shoutout to Fiddlerman in a PM for you, to get the message pointed out to him. He will most likely have a really good concise answer for you. I am sure you will soon get replies from others, too.
Welcome to the site, by the way.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Member
Offline
cid said
Hi, @PippyLongstocking. Sorry to read about your issue. I am going to put a shoutout to Fiddlerman in a PM for you, to get the message pointed out to him. He will most likely have a really good concise answer for you. I am sure you will soon get replies from others, too.Welcome to the site, by the way.
Thank you Cid - I really appreciate that. That is really helpful - thank you
Offline
You are very welcome. This forum is really a wealth of information, help, and fun.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Offline
@PippyLongstocking
Did your bridge tip over?
Did your neck snap and get loose, but not visibly so?
Maybe the cord (tail piece gut cord) holding the tailpiece is loose, worn out, snapped?
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Member
Offline
cid said
You are very welcome. This forum is really a wealth of information, help, and fun.
That' s great, I cannot believe I haven't come across this site before.
Member
Offline
cid said
@PippyLongstockingDid your bridge tip over?
Did your neck snap and get loose and snap, but not visibly so?
The bridge stayed put I think, and the neck seemed OK - but really I need to have a proper look over it this evening and see
I had the strangest night last night. I had just come home from work and a small child got knocked down in the street outside my house, and I rang emergency and gave first aid
Then when I came in to the house, I was just sat there staring into space - that's when the violin combusted - (REALLY freaked me out) and although I managed to tune it up again, I didn't attempt to play it or really properly check the neck or anything
I was in a bit of shock after the thing with the child so I didn't really do as many checks on the violin as I perhaps should have done
Member
Offline
The tail piece is a great idea. when I get in, I will give thorough checks to tail piece, bridge and neck
In reality, I am pretty clueless about the set up of a violin and every time I need to change strings I get my teacher or luthier to do it (I really am that bad) but if there is anything obvious I feel fairly confident I will notice it on close inspection
Member
Offline
I am heading home from work now but will check thorough and report back this evening
Thanks Cid x
Offline
That is a weird night. I am sure you will hear from others who may have better ideas. That would freak me out.
We had issues with strings with a viola and it was the tailgut piece. I also bought an old used violin a few weeks ago and all the strings went at once. The tailgut broke. It had the original twine cord tailgut and it wore out. i think the newer ones may be nylon, but they wear out, too.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Regulars
Offline
@PippyLongstocking and others. Most likely cause is a broken tail piece gut. Second most likely cause is the seasonal change is humid level dimensionally changed the peg box and/or pegs, so that tension on the strings was released. No big deal in either case but make sure that the sound post remains in position before tightening the strings. The sound post often requires a downward force on the top plate to keep its position and attempting to use the violin with pout a sound post can cause damage to the instrument.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
Member
Offline
Thank you
I am home now and have inspected my violin thoroughly for the last hour
The bridge had moved slightly to the right 2-3mm. I plucked up some courage and unwound the strings and got that back in position but I wont tighten the strings just yet
But I am not sure about the soundpost, it is upright, but leaning slightly.
I have an old violin, (my starter one), for comparison and it does appear that the sound post is leaning more on the affected one, that it does on my starter one
I have attempted to add a photo of the soundpost position - if you can see it (it wil be a miracle if I have done it) but could you let me know if you think it is in the correct place?
[Image Can Not Be Found]
Member
Offline
OH bother, the photo didn't work, is it possible to upload pictures?
Offline
I am not sure what you are describing. But this is a brief explanation how to upload a photo:
I usually add 2 to 3 lines after the last line of text in my post.
Below the text box is the option for “attachments”. Click or touch that.
You will see another box. Under that is the option to “Add Files”. Touch or click that.
Now you have options to take a photo or video, Photo Library, or browse. I always use Photo Library because all my photos are there. Touch or click “Photo Library”
Select your photos and then select “done” in the upper right.
Your photos will appear as thumbnails in that box that appeared below your original text box.
Below those thumbnails is the option to “Start Upload”. Touch or click that. Your photos will appear in your text box above.
Hope this helps you with the photos.
Maybe take a photo of the violin, tail piece too, if you do not have to move your violin around.
Since your strings are loose, do not be moving your violin around much. The strings, as Irv mentioned above, help hold your soundpost in place.
I don’t know what to say about what you just described, but, maybe someone will visit your thread and be able to help more.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
Regulars
Offline
I had this happen the first winter I had a violin. luckily was just able to tighten strings back up. I didn't have anything break or a sound post fall.
Member
Offline
Why did it happen- Greg?
Member
Offline
I am going to try and add a picture again
this shows the soundpost position but I couldn't get the best pic
I wonder if this will work
fingers crossed
Member
Offline
OH yes it worked , thanks Cid!
I know it is not the best pic
Im really sorry my descriptions are a bit rubbish (I know) I am doing my best though to describe things as accurately as poss xx
Regulars
Offline
PippyLongstocking,
Most likely humidity change from a temperature change both of my fiddles had that issue when we got down in single digit temperatures two pegs on both unwound ne sitting in the case and the other on a stand, as well at the tuning on my bass and acoustic guitar went out of tune more than normal.
Welcome the life with an acoustic instrument.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
Offline
Can anyone tell anything from the photo pippylongstocking provided? I just had some ideas of what would or could affect every string at the same time. Other than that, I have no idea how to help her out.
Pippy (Sorry for the shortened username. Have yet to do it without having to correct a typo, so quit while I was ahead), Pippy, have you been able to get the string all tightened and tuned? Just curious.
Learn Violin and Fiddle
on
Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk Forum
1 Guest(s)
Strabo
ELCBK
Mouse
Fiddlerman
Jols
