Your thoughts about frets on the fiddle?  

I've never looked at a viper up close - flatter neck profile? 

Do you have to buy special strings for a viper?

  

The frets are a bit taller than I expected, but not taking much to get used to since I am used to frets on guitar. Though you play on top of them rather than behind them like most people do on guitar, but I am also used to that since on my guitars I used pretty big frets and I play pretty much on top of them on the guitar as well.

Definitely not flatter, but much wider than I am used to, which makes sense with 6 strings. I am still working on adjusting it and getting it fit for me - I may need to get a longer chain for the chest brace, I will have to see about that. The hands free is really nifty though!

I also had to setup the bridge because it had fallen during shipping. I don't know if it needs some care/cleaning or if I just need to adjust the input level on my Axe FX 3, but the lower strings are making an obnoxious sound at times. It sounds like really bad digital distortion, but my input meter is not showing any clipping at all. I will have to play around with that a bit more. But, even if I need a new bridge/transducer, this was still a steal.

As far as strings, I don't think they are special, though there is an official set from Wood for it. I will have to see, because I will probably get some new strings for it pretty quick as well. I don't know how old the ones on it are, they don't look or sound horrible, but it would be nice to have new strings for the new fiddle. 

I'm sure you are already aware of all this info, but just in case: Wood Violin Instructions PDF

  

Thanks, I have seen a couple of the PDFs but I don't know if I saw that one yet.

@ELCBK I did want to let you know something about the viper even though I haven't been playing it much yet. It does have a name: Squeeks.  

Because to me the Barbera pickup in it has that electric 'squeek' to the sound in a very pronounced, but pleasing way. Like, if a cute little mouse inhaled a nice deep breath of sulfur hexafluoride and became baritone mouse.

ELCBK said
@Sasha -

'Squeeks' is a cool name! 

Not sure I understand the transducer effect you describe, I've only ever used one type of pickup - sounds interesting!

I was curious if you found any issues holding a Viper vs. a trad Violin shape - you answered in the other thread (post #10, One vs. two instruments? Thread), thank you.  ...asking because I've noticed (most recently post #2, Viola Craving Thread) the Viper bridge & string bowing area appears farther away from the player's body - like if playing a much larger instrument (maybe only due to individual set up).  Seems this could cause the bowing arm mechanics to feel awkward.  

You play other fretted instruments, but do you like having frets on 'Squeeks'?  ...do you end up trying to 'bend' strings instead of sliding in/out of notes?   

How's it going bowing/articulating notes on the low F string - tried any different rosin?

Is there a specific set of strings recommended for 'Squeeks'?

  

The bowing does not feel any different or any more awkward, other than more strings / closeness of them. That takes a bit of getting used to, though it feels a bit easier to me since Snuffles actually has a flatter radius than a typical violin.

While I am still getting used to the frets on Squeeks, I don't find myself trying to bend the strings at all. Sliding feels natural, and unlike a guitar, you can play between the frets on a viper. So you can easily be off on intonation. It's more like bumps you can feel for positioning, and not a demarkation area where "the note starts here" if that makes any sense. They are really low, and unlike a guitar where you play just behind the fret, you play right on top of them.

Other than reach, difficulty I have with it due to my weight/size bowing the F isn't an issue, but I have a Codabow Joule which is made for extended range instruments and that works just nifty with it. I have considered dropping the F down to an E but I think that would break my brain trying to play it that way.

Strings... there is supposedly an official Woods string set, but it's never in stock. It probably could use some new strings, but I am not yet playing it enough to justify getting a new set. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it.