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OK, I have been waiting for a (Gliga) left handed violin to rent, but it hasn't come in yet. (it's been 3 weeks) So, I started checking around, To make a long story short, found a Cecilio CVN-320L, bought it from a student.
The case was in very good shape, the violin itself, looked good, no gouges or scratches, the pegs, the fine tuners, the nut all looked good as far as I can tell. It had only one bow, but had the digital tuner, some extra strings, rosin, and the extra bridge, with a first lesson book and DVD. The sound post in the violin was rolling around inside, and the G string was missing. Told him I liked it, but it needed a lot of work, so I ended paying 40 bucks for everything.
Sorry Mr Fiddlerman, you were my next resource if I couldn't find a used lefty. But I just placed an order with you for a sound post stick, the adjuster, the inserter and remover, and two g-strings medium.
For what I paid, I figured I can see if I can do the adjustments myself, and see what kind of sound I can get out of it. If that doesn't work out. No worries I'll just mail the violin to Mr.fiddlerman, and get his opinion. I would gladly pay the postage and return postage if Mr. Fiddlerman said he could fix her up.
Oh BTW, one last question??? Do you guys name your violins?
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It's great to hear that you found a violin.
The price sounds quite reasonable
I suggest that before you do the setting of the sound post you do a bit of research on its proper position and how the position effects the sound. It's a very tricky business and it will probably take a number of attempts.
And my violin's name us Lilli 
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of 
..... What was I saying???? 
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Thanks Ferret, I have watched the Fiddlerman video on the sound post, and many others on you tube. And I understand as being a novice to the violin, that I will have to learn many things thru trial and error. But for me that is some of the fun of learning about the violin. And because I paid so little for the violin, I'm not bothered if I screw things up. If so I will just purchase a lefty violin thru Fiddlerman.
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Congratulations on your violin!!! Yahoo..price sounds right!
My Voilins have names.
Noelle ( my Christimas present)
Violette (concert violin)
Gretta (german Factory violin from the 70s' (???))
Pinky (VSO - Mendini)
However... we live in a modern age and I feel lately that Noelle.. is not a girl!! As odd as that sounds... she seems to be male-ish. ha ha..
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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well you bought it right, but as you'll find out, setting that sound post up without the proper tools is a short ride to the nut house. It shouldnt fit to tight as the string pressure is what keeps it in place, wedge it too tight and bring it up to full tension/tune you can cause a crack in the top over time. As suggested, read,read ,read
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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Coolpinkone,
Thanks for the information on the names of your violins. You better keep an eye out for Noelle, sounds as if she wants one of those sex change operations. LOL
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Barry,
Thanks for your input. Let's say I purchased a Fiddlerman Apprentice Violin, no way would I try to fix the sound post or anything else, I'd leave that up to a Luthier.
But because I paid so little for the violin, and have ordered the tools from Fiddlerman, I would like to see if I can do it. As a side note: I am a Fletcher of Arrows, I make my own arrows, and have in the past made my own Bows, as in Archery, I mostly work with Cedar and Hickory woods. Believe me I understand the patience and frustration in working with wood. But I have already removed the sound post from the violin, using one of my Archery tools without any problem or difficulty. And yes as suggested I will read, read, read, and watch as many videos as possible. I am looking at my violin journey as learning something new and different. And also I hope to have some fun along the way.
Honorary tenured advisor
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Eh, I wouldn't worry about setting the sound post. A complete beginner can do a decent job of it, even with homemade tools. You just need some patience, manual skill, knowledge, and common sense. I myself wouldn't try it on a $2000 instrument, but for an instrument under $500 with a down sound post, I wouldn't be the least inhibited of giving it a try. The value of a violin is no more than the time put into it, and often the setup of a cheap instrument is very poor, to the extent that it can be improved by anyone who is paying attention. I would scrutinize the existing sound post and consider fitting a new one if needed.
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Almost Tone Deaf said
Barry,Thanks for your input. Let's say I purchased a Fiddlerman Apprentice Violin, no way would I try to fix the sound post or anything else, I'd leave that up to a Luthier.
But because I paid so little for the violin, and have ordered the tools from Fiddlerman, I would like to see if I can do it. As a side note: I am a Fletcher of Arrows, I make my own arrows, and have in the past made my own Bows, as in Archery, I mostly work with Cedar and Hickory woods. Believe me I understand the patience and frustration in working with wood. But I have already removed the sound post from the violin, using one of my Archery tools without any problem or difficulty. And yes as suggested I will read, read, read, and watch as many videos as possible. I am looking at my violin journey as learning something new and different. And also I hope to have some fun along the way.
I dont doubt you have the skills required. I am also an archer but dont make my own arrows so I think thats cool. When you look at your soundpost you'll most likely see a slot impressed in the post, that is where it was impaled by the setting tool. Also that usually indicates the "top" of the soundpost as most luthiers impale it on the upper half. If you look closely at the ends of the post you'll also see it is slightly tapered for fit. Let us know how it goes
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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Again, Barry thanks for your input, I did notice the sound post taper, I was able to lift the sound post out using the same slot that was impaled on the upper half. I learned that on one of the many videos I have been watching.
I have to ask, do you shoot compound or traditional ? I shoot a Longbow , Lakota style, I self nock all my arrows and then wrap deer sinew to strengthen the nock point. and to wrap the feathers, it's very time consuming, but I enjoy it. That is one reason why I am looking forward to trying to work with and fix up my violin.
I do have a few more questions but I think I will start it in another topic. Of course I am looking forward to your input, as you have a wealth of knowledge, and I am sure I can learn from your experiences.
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I shoot a Martin Jaguar recurve, Aluminum Riser, take down style. It excepts everything a compound does, sites,stabilizer,etc. Though I shoot without sites. Its a 55# pounder. I like it for bowfishing. I live just a couple miles from my archery club, they have a great range and a nice wooded 3D loop , with a stand that I really enjoy. Most days I have it all to myself.
I also live on the banks of the Cumberland river so I can walk out back and bow fish whenever the urge hits.
I learned to work on fiddles the same as you, bought a $50 amazon special, then a couple flea market finds. I now own both the fiddlerman concert violin & viola.
PS. I do have a fiber optic site that I used for a while but shot much better without it..so, yeah
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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RosinedUp,
Thanks for the sound advice. I was thinking of cutting a new sound post, when I receive my order from the Fiddlerman shop. I have already inserted the sound post with my curved heavy duty leather needle, and used a semi bent leather punch to try and position the sound post. Maybe it's ignorance on my part, but I just can't see how you can do much damage to the violin if you are careful. It's trial and error to see exactly where to put the sound post, to create the best sound. But hey, I'm having fun with this new challenge.
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Barry,
Awesome pic, I love your black lab. for bow fishing and shooting 900 rounds in the senior Olympics, I also shoot the the Martin Jag, 50 IBS @28". But my true love are my Longbows, just a preference, I started out with a longbow as a kid, and just kept on going.
The pic is in my back yard with my self made Lakota style long bow. It's 62 " long, 63 IBS at 27". You really can't see it in this pic, but I use a wrist wrap, similar to the olympic style used for recurves, to help steady my left bow hand and arm.
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Barry,
P.S. to you, I was in the Nashville airport, a few weeks ago, for a lay over. A very nice airport, my favorite, they always have something going on with Country Western music. I was in Tootsies grabbing a bite to eat, and they had three young ladies playing the electric fiddle. Awesome some of the best e-violin I have ever heard, I enjoyed them so much I almost missed my flight.
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I actually played at tootsies (guitar/sing) about 20 years ago, just once. I liked Miss Pats a few doors down much better. We would play for tips there and she always had a crock pot of beans on to feed the musicians. Miss Pat passed away and its under some other name now. I cant remember the last time I was down town.. true Nashvillian I reckon.
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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Barry and AlmostToneDeaf:
Love love the Archery photos. Very very nice.
I sure would like to visit Nashville, TN. I didn't think I would ever be saying that, but I do think I would love a visit.
ATD - Good luck with that Sound post. I have no doubt that you'll get it all done and fix up your violin.
Cheers!
Vibrato Desperato.... Desperately seeking vibrato
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No worries at all on the fiddle. We don't have any left hand violins in stock. I'm sure that your violin will be fine. It's also great to dare to make the repairs and adjustments yourself. You'll learn a lot.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Well Thank You Cool Pink One,
I try and stop over (Nashville) every time I fly up north to visit family and friends.
I don't know much about the city, but the airport is awesome, every where you go in the airport you hear music and mostly fiddle music. The country western entertainment either on the stage in the airport, or in a restaurant/bar type setting is non stop.
Thanks for the confidence about the sound post replacement, it's fiddlermans video that helped me decide to try it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
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Mr. Fiddlerman.
That is what I am hoping to do. Learn, learn, and learn some more. It is your video that explained everything so clearly on the sound post.
I am a firm believer to do the job properly, you need the correct tools, that is why I put my order in for the sound post stick and the proper tools.
I have used some of my archery tools to experiment with placing the sound post in the proper position, but I just can't get the sound post to stay upright in the correct location. Hence, that is why I will be looking forward to receiving my order from Fiddlerman Shop.
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