Thanks, guys! The red fiddle is about 100 years old and was played extensively by a professional, so it has had a chance to be "played in" and does have a much richer, fuller sound, at least under my ear.

My (cheap) speakers don't register much difference, but the OH, who was outside at the time, heard me playing and came into the house. "That's Brandon's fiddle, isn't it? Sure does a lot for your playing..." He then gave me The Look. You know the one - like I wasn't going to return it after refurbishing...I do fully intend to give it back It has been a pleasure to be able to play it and get a feel for what a "real" violin sounds like.

Fiddlerman said

I just listened to it. Great job Cat.

I prefer the darkness of the second one as well. Just out of curiosity, what kind of chin-rest do you use over the tail-piece on your "Six Foot Fiddle"?

I use a Berber chinrest, propped up with 1/4" cork wedges to make it a bit taller. So far it has the best fit for me - square, well-defined jaw with not a lot of padding (despite the double-chin appearance of the video )

Dee Major said

Cat, Your playing inspires me. For me, still striving to master basics, it helps to see the progress of those who have made a LOT of progress.   Good job, and thanks for sharing. 

Wondering, when you added the 1/4" cork to the Berber, what kind of hardware will accommodate that height? 

Thank you, Dee! I don't feel like I've made a lot of progress on some days - guess I should have made recordings of the very first days, weeks, months when it all sounded bad As it is, I haven't mastered anything yet.

The standard chin rest clamps just work with the cork. If more height is needed, viola chin rest clamps will be ordered. I'm considering it, just to have a bit more threads for security.

suresh said

Hi Cat!  I enjoyed both the videos.  The sound from the Red one was sweet.  But you had your tapes there.  Could not see whether the tapes were in the sff.  

Thanks for the videos.

You caught me! I do have tapes on the red fiddle - the notes are in slightly different spots than the SFF and I have to be right on to get a good tone. It's a bit persnickity

Mad_Wed said

Nice to see You playing, Cat!!! I've been waiting for that =) 

I liked te second violin a little more than the 1st. As for me the first is brighter, but i liked the highs 

Thank you! The red fiddle will be going back to its owner soon, but I found another German trade fiddle at a local thrift shop that needs a minor repair, so look for that one soon...