Violin Forum/Message Board

violinbod · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:31 pm Post subject: Blairing open 'e' string sound.

I've got a problem with a violin at the moment. It's a fantastic sounding violin on every note on every string except for the open 'e' string. The open 'e' string sounds loud, bright and painful to the ear. When I put fingers on the e string it sounds fine. That suggests to me that there's a problem with the nut, but it looks fine to me.

It's not a whistling open 'e' string, it's just really bright, harsh and blairing!

I've tried all the following remedies:
*checking the nut to make sure the string is released at the nut's highest point.
*checking the bridge grove
* trying different brands of strings
* trying different sound post positions.

I've set up thousands of violins in my shop over the years, and this problem has often popped up. It seems to be a more persistant problem with this current violin, so please help Sad

Mat Roop · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:29 am Post subject:

Violinbod... looks like you have had much more experience than I, but I would be moving the post further back and or further to the treble side. I would also be tempted to try a wound e string like a Dominant or Superflexible.
When all else fails, this is what I turn to.... It usually fixes the problem and/or helps to understand the issue. http://violins.ca/accessories/wolftone_eliminators.html
Good luck! Mat

L P Reedy · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 3:47 pm Post subject:

It sounds like there is something not quite right about the nut, but I haven't encountered this exact problem. Have you tried something like a thin piece of leather under the string in the nut groove? Another test, although I'm not sure what it would tell you, might be something like a nylon or leather cord wedged under the string against the nut. Not a solution, just a test.

Mat Roop · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 12:09 am Post subject:

How does the e on the d string sound?

violinbod · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:30 am Post subject:

violinbod · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:32 am Post subject:

violinbod · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 5:35 am Post subject:

Mat Roop · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:51 am Post subject:

[quote="violinbod
Thanks Mat,
I haven't tried a wound string and haven't even thought of
wolftone eliminators. I'll give the strings a go. I'll feel a bit
defeated if I have to throw a wolfnote elim on though.
Rich[/quote]
Not defeated... just a step closer to a solution. If all e's are off and the the wolf eliminator fixes the problem, then it may not be a mechanical fault, but rather a resonance issue that will require some rework of post, bridge, tailpiece or graduation.
To be open, I am the originator of the Rezx, so I hope my comments are not construed as marketing. The reason I like the Rezx concept is that it simulates adding thickness to the plate and it is very helpful in trouble shooting. If you have any small neodymium (rare earth) magnets you can use them and experiment. For your reference, the standard weight of the Rezx violin model is 4.35 grams... but any other weight will also work to varying degrees.
Hope this helps....Cheers, Mat

violinbod

Thanks for the help guys.
I ended up making an entirely new nut for the violin and it
has fixed the problem. I was pretty sure the 'e' string groove
depth,width and endpoint were fine after I had worked on it, but
obviously there was an issue somewhere in that groove....
I'm just going to say it was an evil piece of ebony and move on.
Rich

Mat Roop · Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the update... its always nice to learn from others' experiences.
Cheers, Mat