Violin Forum/Message Board

RobCur

When I purchased this violin in1988, it had a lush tone rich in overtones, but the E was, however sweet, a little weak for orchestra play. So I had it "adjusted". Big mistake. I wish I had noticed the placement of the sound post before the adjustment, so I could recapture the soul of this violin, for now (except for the E), it's terribly unresponsive. Even after Shar fitted it with a new bridge and post (to the unrewarding tune of $300!). I suspect the original sound post was unusual in some way, either in its placement, or its shape, etc. I'm now experimenting with a repairman, but so far, with no luck. Anyone have any ideas? Such as perhaps placing the post mid ships instead of near the right foot; thicker post, etc.? (Starkle starkle little twink)
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starkle starkle little twink

Chet Bishop · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:12 pm Post subject:

Sad story. When did you have the "adjustment" done? Recently? Why did they replace the soundpost instead of simply adjusting it?

Have you gone back to the same luthier who did the work and stated your dissatisfaction? Was anything else changed at the same time? (Type of strings, etc.)

You are too far away to suggest you come over and we spend some time playing with it, but that is what comes to mind.
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Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject:

Tough to advise without seeing it. Every instrument is different. My suggestion is to call someone who really knows his stuff ... like for example ...Michael Darnton in Chicago http://darntonviolins.com/ . calling won't cost and he is one of theee best!
And you can also read the setup section starting at page 14 on soundposts followed by bridges here http://www.darntonviolins.com/violinmagazine/book/setup.pdf
good luck... Mat

FiddleDoug · Member Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Posts: 227 Location: Hilton, NY

I did some major clean-up and set-up work on a Wilkanowski last year. I don't see anything in my notes about replacing the SP, so I'll say that I the existing one was in place, and no notes about position or adjustment, so I'm guessing that it looked OK, and pretty standard. I did put a new bridge on it, and set it up with Zyex medium strings. Sounded fabulous, and sold pretty quickly.
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Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com