Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Private messaging is working again.

AAA
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
Soundposts...
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (4 votes) 
Avatar
David Burns
Winfield, Missouri

Honorary advisor
Members

Regulars
July 1, 2011 - 6:47 am
Member Since: June 24, 2011
Forum Posts: 425
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
21sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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

Avatar
Guest
Guests
July 1, 2011 - 11:10 am

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.

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
July 1, 2011 - 11:29 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16537
23sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Good idea Dave,

It's not certain that you can just move the sound-post anyway. One of the fiddles that I tested has a post that is too short and for this reason ends up close to the f-hole. I couldn't put it in the right place no matter what because it will be too loose. Also if they are very crooked they may not have the right shape on the ends from the start.

The best person to move it would be the Luthier. He may tell you that you need a new one. Call several luthiers beforehand to see how much they charge for a new post. If it sounds good the way it is you probably shouldn't think about it too much. The sound is all that matters.

It is unusual for a professional player to adjust their own post, but I had a friend that was such a fanatic that he moved his sound-post on a regular basis trying to find the optimal position. He moved it so much that he wore a hole in his cello and needed to have it opened to fill the worn out wood on both sides.

I sometimes get like him right before a solo concertdazed

The CVN-200 that I tested sounds great even though the post is crooked and in the wrong spot. I moved the post on the CVN-300 and it is now straight and in the right spot but it isn't easier to play than the CVN-200. The CVN300 is much better now than before I moved it but a little tight since the post is slightly too long. It is better for a post to be too long when the violin is new because the tops will eventually rise slightly.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

Avatar
Guest
Guests
August 24, 2011 - 1:25 am
24sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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.

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
August 24, 2011 - 9:04 am
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16537
25sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Yes Pky, He needed to loosen the strings to get the sound-post in place and to get the right fit. The strings to re-stretch but not as much as new strings.

Happy to hear that your happy with the sound now.smile

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

Avatar
Guest
Guests
August 24, 2011 - 11:54 am
26sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Fiddlerman,

Yes, it's so loud that i think I will lose some hearing on my left ear!

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 26, 2012 - 10:56 pm
27sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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. frown

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.

Avatar
Ferret
Byron Bay Australia
Members

Regulars
December 26, 2012 - 11:40 pm
Member Since: April 22, 2012
Forum Posts: 1575
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
28sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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. frown

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 dunno

Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of dunno ..... What was I saying???? facepalm

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 27, 2012 - 2:12 am
29sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

@ 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.

Avatar
Ferret
Byron Bay Australia
Members

Regulars
December 27, 2012 - 3:40 am
Member Since: April 22, 2012
Forum Posts: 1575
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
30sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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 dunno

Am just throwing ideas at ya pie_in_the_face-2223

Seen it all. Done it all. Can't remember most of dunno ..... What was I saying???? facepalm

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 27, 2012 - 9:25 am
31sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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.

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 27, 2012 - 9:55 am

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.

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 27, 2012 - 12:13 pm
33sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

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.

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 27, 2012 - 1:40 pm

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.

Avatar
Guest
Guests
December 27, 2012 - 4:17 pm
35sp_Permalink sp_Print
5

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.       hats_off

Avatar
Fiddlerman
Fort Lauderdale
December 27, 2012 - 10:45 pm
Member Since: September 26, 2010
Forum Posts: 16537
36sp_Permalink sp_Print
5

I did it once, however, I didn't cut any new wedges. LOL
I just used the old ones. Turned out ok none-the-less.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 696
Currently Online: stringy
Guest(s) 60
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today SethroTull86
Upcoming fryserisnon8, Picklefish, Shell, Schaick, GlassTownCur, Violinista Italiano, VirginViolinist, Cearbhael, eugenephilip572, celeigh87
Top Posters:
ELCBK: 8826
ABitRusty: 4303
Mad_Wed: 2849
Gordon Shumway: 2731
Barry: 2690
Fiddlestix: 2647
Oliver: 2439
DanielB: 2379
stringy: 2371
Mark: 2272
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 3
Members: 31781
Moderators: 0
Admins: 8
Forum Stats:
Groups: 16
Forums: 84
Topics: 10858
Posts: 137992
Newest Members:
jeni2024, Goldenbow, joanie, hunmari01, lydia.vertu SP, Thavence SP, tcaron21, Ustiana SP, DennisRathbone SP, Dan
Administrators: Fiddlerman: 16537, KindaScratchy: 1760, coolpinkone: 4180, BillyG: 3746, JoakimSimplePress: 0, MrsFiddlerman: 2, Jimmie Bjorling: 0, Mouse: 6096