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Regular advisor
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Buzzing is indeed the 'the problem' I guess low strings is not the root of 'the problem'
Which is kind of good as I don't have to replace the bride (few) but not so good as the cause still eludes me
Thanks for you input though Oliver.
I should add, my E string is 4mm it was my D that was 7 so I guess they are all a little high but not terribly so.
I just watched my last video and that horrid buzz makes me flinch every time.
Could it be something I am doing wrong?
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Regular advisor
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Regular advisor
Regulars

So I re-watched it and again and noted down the first few instances.
0:09, 0:16, 0:23, 0:28, 0:31, 0:38
Unfortunately due to the somewhat rushed nature of the recording I have the angle set so you can't really see how the bow is on the strings.
Practising today I have watched my bow on the strings rather than my fingers and it is making the buzzing while I bow straight, dead middle between the bridge and the end of the finger board.
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Regular advisor
Regulars


Sam, first we have to know exactly where the buzzing occurs. Play the D strings and starting at the nut hold the string down and slide down the sting while bowing. Note where the buzzing starts and where it ends. I have an idea that your fingerboard may not have the proper belly in it. Fingerboards are supposed to be concave slightly and the reason is to stop buzzing. Many fingerboards are flat or in the worst case convex. you can check the fingerboard with a steal ruller. It should only be concave about 1 to 1.5mm but this is enough to stop the string from vibrating into the fingerboard when the notes are played in first position. as you move down the fingerboard with the strings being further away the problem is gone. If the buzzing is there on an open string it would be the nut but as soon as you played an E on the D string the buzzing would stop if it were the nut. Let us know what you find.

OK with correct video now.
Unfortunately, I did not hear the buzzing even at the designated time spots.
But I am not surprised. It is often hard to pass along sound quirks using common computer technology.
There is something I often do to assist with "impossible" noise diagnosis. Cut a thin piece of cardboard to cover the left lobe of the violin body and see how that sounds. (i.e. the left half of the violin)

Honorary advisor
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Regular advisor
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Thanks Kevin I have checked it out and the fingerboard is nicely convex (higher in the middle)
I attempted to slide and find the point the buzzing started and there was no buzzing at any point... So I tried to play and to start with there was none, then as I got going it started.
I think what is happening is I am getting carried away and applying to much pressure causing the bow to bend over the string I am playing and catch the A string. Now the A sting has my big clumsy fingers touching it as they are planted on the D string hence it makes a horrid noise.
Unfortunately my boss chose that moment to come into the comms room and catch me not exactly working lol! So I will have to leave further investigation for lunch tomorrow. Whether I am putting too much pressure on or my bow is not tight enough I am not entirely sure. But when I start out playing gently there is no buzzing.
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!

I think you found your problem. If your fingerboard is convex the as you play harder the amplitude of the vibrations increase causing the string to hit the fingerboard. To repair this it is best done by someone who has done it before but you could try to sand it some. We usually take the nut off and plane the fingerboard but I think you could fix it with a little sanding.

Regular advisor
Regulars

Out of interest for standard volume, how much pressure should I need. I realise this is hard to quantify but should it be just enough to keep the bow stable or more than that? As I am trying to play faster I find my self putting on more pressure for some reason. Possibly to try and stop the dreaded bouncy bouncy!
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Advanced member

Regular advisor
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No buzzing for the first couple of weeks no. It has felt fine to play with, much easier than the acoustic I have been lent. But I have checked all the simple things and nothing is touching anywhere.
I think it must be user error. I hate user error
I will find out with some more practice at lunch today.
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!

Regular advisor
Regulars

Bowing a little less ham fisted today has produced much better results.
It does seem to me that the string is oscillating more than it should though. How much 'width' should there be in the vibration while playing normally? The further up the string I play the tighter/better it sounds. Which is very much the opposite of previous experience lol!
It is almost as if the string is too lose, but my computer tuner whats'it says it is in tune so I cant really tighten it any more. Is it possible for strings to just be a bit crap after 10 hours or so of use?
I am tempted to take it to the luthier but I can't really justify spending any more money at the moment and I don't feel right using up his time without paying him.
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!
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