Violin Forum/Message Board

kjjoubert · Junior Member Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 1

Hi,
I am new to this website. I have a question that I hope someone can answer: I recently acquired a Wilkanowski violin in excellent condition.
One previous owner, 76 years old; everything looks original on this instrument. My question is that the soundpost is very strange. I removed it to see it more clearly and it is normal diameter on the top and the bottom very skinny in the middle. Almost shaped like an hour glass.
Did Wilkanowski use soundposts shaped like that?

John Cadd · Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 7:13 pm Post subject:

That`s a very unusual idea. Did you release all the string tension before removing it? What was the tone like? There will be some value in keeping the post if you want to change to a traditional one.The length and end surface angles will give useful information. Now I have written that it occurs to me that the idea was for the post to maybe flex slightly to allow the ends to settle flat against the plates How is that for a theory? Is there an element of flexibility in the post? What are the exact dimensions of this thinning? Does it look as though the post settled in a flexed position? The last few ideas have undone what I said about a record of surface angles. Most important as I mentioned before , what is the thinnest dimension?