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So I just received my Fiddlerman Artist and I was pretty stoked to get it. I'm a long time guitar player but just picked up the violin in the past month. I wanted to know if it is normal for the finish on the back of the violin to be blotchy like this? I like the color of the antiquing but it looks like the clear part of the finish stuck to something or got to hot? Maybe this is normal with these finishes? Coming from a guitar world even antique or road worm finishes are pretty smooth and natural looking. Anyway I just wanted to see if this is normal.
Also, I notice when I play a G note on the D string, the open G vibrates daily loudly. Is that expected?
Yes the finish looks correct. Watch "the red violin" to see what an antique finish really looks like and what your violin is striving for.
Also, I notice when I play a G note on the D string, the open G vibrates daily loudly. Is that expected?
Only on good violins. Cheap violins do not have this characteristic. Other notes on your violin do the same thing but to a lesser degree.
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As said above, open strings vibrating in sympathy is normal. It's also a good way to check that you are pitching those notes correctly - if your pitch is off slightly it won't happen.
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Thanks for the replies. I understand now the vibration of open strings when I play their corresponding notes.
As far as the finish goes I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly...it's not the color I'm worried about, I love the variation in colors on the back corresponding to a wear pattern. I'm referring to the texture of the finish which is not smooth at all and is more like the texture of a wall inside someone's home. That is normal? Because from the uneducated view (mine) it seems more like overspray that wasn't smoothed out with sanding.
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Personally, I don't know about the "bobbled" (is there such a word ? ) varnish finish on the back. It may well be intentional. I have 3 acoustics from various sources - one is the FM Concert, the others are 50 and 100 year old. None of them exhibit this type of varnish/lacquer surface finish.
I assume you purchased directly from FiddlerShop - go on-line to them and chat, or call. They are the most helpful bunch of people I know - they'll listen, and you'll get no B.S. - and if there IS a problem with the finish they will get you sorted and make you happy !
Although the lighting is different, the image from the shop - http://fiddlershop.com/instrum.....iolin.html doesn't appear to exhibit this characteristic.
Call or chat - even if only to put your mind at rest !
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
Wow, it is tough getting this in a picture. I took 15 pics and this one is the only one that came close to showing what I wanted. This is the soloist. It has that "bobbled" look of clear varnish. I like it.
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joejitsumd said
... I'm referring to the texture of the finish which is not smooth at all and is more like the texture of a wall inside someone's home. That is normal? Because from the uneducated view (mine) it seems more like overspray that wasn't smoothed out with sanding.
My guess would be the varnish was a mixed a little thick, or it was a cold day. I'm fairly sure they don't sand down instruments to get the varnish smooth. Too much chance of taking off some of the instrument, and in a few spots, even that little bit can change the tone. (To be clear, I mean that little bit of wood, not varnish.)
If it bothers you, talk to Fiddlershop. They're pretty serious about their customer service. I doubt it makes any difference to the sound of the violin, though.
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Hey Charles,
The varnish is like that on the Artist violins. Kind of like a distressed look. The intention is to make it look old. If you are not satisfied with it we are more than happy to help find a solution. Just let us know.
On many of our violins, the maker hits the back to make slight age marks on the back.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman said
Hey Charles,
The varnish is like that on the Artist violins. Kind of like a distressed look. The intention is to make it look old. If you are not satisfied with it we are more than happy to help find a solution. Just let us know.
On many of our violins, the maker hits the back to make slight age marks on the back.
Do Artist Violas have the same "old" look? I have an Artist Viola, but the varnish doesn't look the same. I was wondering if there was something done differently on violas than on violins.
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It should really be the same. We get them from the same workshop and makers. Can you shoot some pictures over to me?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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