Violin Forum/Message Board

ollieken · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject: Violin Or fiddle set up

I would like to know if there is a differant set up for Old time fiddle & one for
violin that is played in an Orchestra I am told that the bass bar is moved the sound post is moved the bridge is moved
(I dont belive it but i May be wrong .) If a violin is set up to get the best sound it can put out & playabilty Is that not all you can do for it .
Michal Darton can you give your opion on this ? Thanks Ken

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

To the best of my knowledge, the positions of the bass bar, soundpost, and bridge are not changed. The only difference may be the curve of the bridge. Some fiddlers prefer a flatter curve on the bridge. Also some old time tunes use a different tuning than the usual GDAE.
_________________
Doug Wall

www.wallindependent.com

ollieken · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:46 pm Post subject: Doug

Thanks`s Doug for the reply I am making #2 Fiddle & any books that I have & what I have seen on post here no one has said that there is two mesurement`s & set up`s I know that left hand players have the bass bar changed or violin made for them with the bar on the other side depending how they want the strings on .Ken

Jack Rushing · Member Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 170

Like FiddleDoug says about the bridge being a bit flatter, this allows
them to play double stops easier. Also, a lot of fiddle players use steel
strings for a louder, more penetrating sound.

Mat Roop · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:24 am Post subject:

Ken... The difference is that for fiddle the strings are set lower..( I use a clearance of 2.4mm for the E and 3.8 for the G... but that varies with the player preference) assuming of course that the fingerboard has the correct shape). The curve of the bridge is flatter... use about a 48mm curve vs the standard 42mm.
Supposedly so that it is easier to finger the notes quickly and the flatter bridge makes it easier to shift strings quickly..... so I am told.
Bass bar and post are the same as they are placed for best response... but in that regard, everyone has different taste.
Fiddle strings are also usually different... braided steel core for fast fiddle and synthetic core for classical.
Cheers, Mat

Mikes · Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:39 am Post subject:

Also most fiddlers want tail piece tuners on all strings which is easily accomplished with a Wittner tailpiece but alot of players simply put the indivual metal ones onto a wooden tail peice cause they don't like plastic!

woodwiz · Junior Member Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 9

I sell primarily to fiddlers, including some nationally prominent professionals.

Fiddlers generally want a very different voice than what most violinists want. Tastes vary with style, whether bluegrass, old time, jazz/swing, Cajun, and with the level of play, but the top level players seem to abhor the singer's formant in the 3khz t 5khz range, and prefer a darker sound and more muted treble than what violinists like.

I use a normal bass bar. Sound post home base is 2 - 3 mm behind the treble foot and about 1.5 mm inside the outer edge of the treble foot, and adjusted from there to taste.

Grads run a little thinner, a little more flex in the plates for a darker sound. A little bit of a hollow or boxy sound doesn't seem to be a turnoff.

I leave the bridge thicker, and don't open the kidneys and heart as much as on classical setups, all of which tend to mute the treble a bit. I thin the knees about the same as most. I also have some proprietary things I do.

My usual fiddle setup is just a little lower than classical - 42mm bridge radius, 4.55 mm under the G, 2.3 to 3 under the E, 0.3 mm at the nut, with normal spacing, 5.5 at the nut, 11.5 at the bridge. It's easier to go flatter if the customer wishes, but I seldom get asked to go flatter than 50mm, rarely 60mm.

Four fine tuners, or else Perfection Pegs are normal, since most of them play Helicore or Prims. A few use Dominant, or even Evahs, with appropriate changes in setup.

ollieken · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 9:45 pm Post subject: Set Up

Thank you all for the reply`s
Yes I can agree with sound post adjustment & the bridge angle,+ Strings for sound to suit the player .A few would like me to belive that they move the bass bar & bridge every time they set one up for orchestra or old time players is what I ment should have explained it a bit better Thanks for all the imfo Ken