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The sound post on my Cecillio Blue VSO is crooked, and forward of the bridge. It is also more towards the center of the body. There is no way in Hades I will attempt to move or reposition it. I may look for a Luthier (?) in the area and see what he or she will charge. I am not very good with fragile things under tension. I can see myself making some pretty blue kindling if I attempt it. I keep telling myself the violin sounds pretty good now, if the sound post was moved to the proper location, it will sound even better. First I would like to play better, then fix the sound post!
Dave

Do NOT go to a luthier unless you have a very reliable recommendation from someone who has actually been a satisfied customer.
In particular, don't be influenced by a pretty web site. They may possibly be much more professional than the services rendered.
Anybody can have a nice web site and a collection of luthier tools.
Some luthiers are wonderful craftsmen but you have to find them and be sure about who are dealing with.

I had my sound post fixed by a luthier, the original one was too long and was on the inner side of the foot of the bridge.
The luthier loosened all my strings (I didn't know why he did that, he did that even before I asked him to fix the sound post). The consequence was, my strings had to restretch (am I right about this?) so for the first couple days I only heard the A being louder and deeper. However, today, my violin all of a sudden sound a lot better (sort of like Paul or Dave said, the sound post seated itself in the right spot). I am very happy with my new sound post. I'm sure I will be even happier with my new strings.

Rather than starting a new topic, I dug through the "Cold Case File's" and found this on soundpost's.
I've read extensively on soundpost's and when they sould be adjusted for a more quality sound. Some say they adjust their's before every concert, some say every 3-4 month's, once a year and some say they never move their soundpost.
My question being, what are the thought's on a "play-in" period and soundpost adjustment. Should a post be repositioned after the play-in /break-in period ?
My 3 month old Concert Master just doesn't seem to have the nice sound that it had when I bought it. Sound's dead, of course it could be the bow/s since they only have about 2/3's of the hair's left. Is it possible that I could just be getting used to the sound, I hate buying a new violin everytime I get accustomed to that.
The string's on all three violin's are only a few month's old, well, on two anyway, on one the string's (Zyex) were bought on March 6, 2012, but they are on the fiddle I don't play much.
Thought's and opinion's, please.

Regulars
Fiddlestix said
Rather than starting a new topic, I dug through the "Cold Case File's" and found this on soundpost's.I've read extensively on soundpost's and when they sould be adjusted for a more quality sound. Some say they adjust their's before every concert, some say every 3-4 month's, once a year and some say they never move their soundpost.
My question being, what are the thought's on a "play-in" period and soundpost adjustment. Should a post be repositioned after the play-in /break-in period ?
My 3 month old Concert Master just doesn't seem to have the nice sound that it had when I bought it. Sound's dead, of course it could be the bow/s since they only have about 2/3's of the hair's left. Is it possible that I could just be getting used to the sound, I hate buying a new violin everytime I get accustomed to that.
The string's on all three violin's are only a few month's old, well, on two anyway, on one the string's (Zyex) were bought on March 6, 2012, but they are on the fiddle I don't play much.
Thought's and opinion's, please.
Sounds sounds like you need one of FM's carbon fibre bows. And you are probably getting used to it to a point. If your bow is really like that it would have to have an effect.
Is the weather much different now than it was 3 months ago? Could be a factor. Try a different resin perhaps.
But do be aware that this advice comes from a guy that has only been playing for 9 months
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????

@ Ferret: I had a FM/CF bow, but I returned it, was too heavy for my liking, although the bow was very nice with a beautifull sound, it just wasn't for me. 2.2 oz = 62 gm. My primary bow right now is a 130 year old Pernambuco which weigh's 1.9 oz, almost 54 gm.
The weather now is winter, I live in Michigan, USA. I just can't figure out where the hair's have gone off the bow's. I keep them on the hanger between the violin's on the wall. Never put them in a case, bow bug's ya know and the hair's aren't breaking off, just don't know where they've gone. It kinda look's like they have all bunched together inside the frog to form a single strand of rope.
I use "Laubach Gold", dark rosin, $27.00 USD per cake.

Regulars
Fiddlestix said
@ Ferret: I had a FM/CF bow, but I returned it, was too heavy for my liking, although the bow was very nice with a beautifull sound, it just wasn't for me. 2.2 oz = 62 gm. My primary bow right now is a 130 year old Pernambuco which weigh's 1.9 oz, almost 54 gm.The weather now is winter, I live in Michigan, USA. I just can't figure out where the hair's have gone off the bow's. I keep them on the hanger between the violin's on the wall. Never put them in a case, bow bug's ya know and the hair's aren't breaking off, just don't know where they've gone. It kinda look's like they have all bunched together inside the frog to form a single strand of rope.
I use "Laubach Gold", dark rosin, $27.00 USD per cake.
As I said, I'm a beginner but may I suggest that a re-hair of the bow may be the go
Am just throwing ideas at ya
Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of ..... What was I saying????

I know they need rehairing. I have four bow's and they all need it, but at $45.00 usd for each is $190.00, too expensive for me.
We just had about 5 inche's of snow overnight, but today I'm going to the lumber yard and buy a piece of Maple to make a bow rehair jig. I'm going to "attempt" it myself.

If you are going to atempt a rehair you will need a very fine comb. These can be a few bucks from a luthier supply but if you know any veternarians they now mostly use disposable flea combs to check dogs and cats for fleas. These combs work great.
I'm sure you can also buy them from a pet supply store. Now as for hair. I have used the hair from fiddlershop and am completely satisfied with it's quality. When you seal up the ends of the hairs just use an old cake of rosin ground up put the ends in the rosin and then heat it. Right after while it is still warm put the hair in the pocket and get it bent the right way. The heat and the rosin will help keep it that fit to the pocket. Ask your wife for some hair clips, the flat type. When you get the hairs all combed out put the clips on and they will keep everything in place for you.

Thank's, Kevin for the additional info., I am aware I will need a very fine comb and also I think I'll need a alcohol burner, correct me if I'm wrong, for, I'll say, tinning, wrong term but you know what I mean, the hair's when finished in order to get them all the same length ?
Where to buy a good quality hair was my next question. I guess I'll try Fiddlershop. I'm going to call him (Pierre) next week and find out about a special order bow, which he said he could probably order from his supplier. We talked briefly in the Shoutbox one evening, not too long ago.
This will be my first attempt at rehairing, so I'll begin with my cheapest/free bow.

If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.
If you are talking about using the alcohol burner on the hair after it is done, be extremely careful. The hair burns very easily. I use a hair dryer for that.
As far as quality hair, the stuff from ebay is terrible and as I said the quality of fiddlershop hair is excellent.
I would like to see your finished bow vise.

When I said, "attempt it myself", I meant the rehair, not the bow vice,, the vice is easy, I was a carpenter cabinet maker for almost 50 year's, but I'll post a pic of it when it's complete.
I didn't know a heat gun / hair dryer would work. So I'll save a few buck's and just use my heat gun. Rehairing a bow can't be all that difficult, other people do it.
Thank's for the tip, Kevin.
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