Violin Forum/Message Board

Paul Cormier · Junior Member Joined: 05 Feb 2013 Posts: 12

So my violin is completed, and the color and varnishing came out well. Thank you all for your counsel. This animal is a loud one! the tone is good. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what would affect the volume .

Chet Bishop · Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Loud Violin

kjb · Super Member Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 385

and a sound clip if you can swing it.

Michael Darnton · Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:17 pm Post subject:

Loud is OK if it can be played softly enough. I have more musicians complaining to me that they can't play softly than about not having enough volume. No one in an orchestra or quartet wants to be the FF in a herd of pps.
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Paul Cormier · Junior Member Joined: 05 Feb 2013 Posts: 12

I have to wade through the how to post photos section. I'll have pics soon. I had a super - professional play it yesterday, so I know it's not me.

John Schmidt · Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:29 am Post subject: Re: loud violin

Did you measure the M5 tap tones?

If you followed Wake, your top M5 was about 330Hz. I made a violin like this. It was very loud. But now I have decided that the sound is "tubby." Not enough of a "singing" voice. More of a growling voice.

Paul Cormier · Junior Member Joined: 05 Feb 2013 Posts: 12

My top ended up weighing 65 grams. Wake gave it as 68 grams with a 10 gram margin of error. My back came in right on the money at his suggested weight of 115 grams. My feable attempt at tap toning was abandoned, and just went withthe weights.

John Schmidt · Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: loud violin

jacobyfineviolins · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 55 Location: Omaha, NE

Are you asking for ways the to dial a loud instrument back with setup? Or just wondering what got your fiddle there?
If I have a wildly brash instrument, I check to see that the soundpost is easily moveable (not too tight), that the afterlength isn't too long, and then check the neck angle/ bridge height/ saddle height.
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Paul Cormier · Junior Member Joined: 05 Feb 2013 Posts: 12

Yes, well discribed. I guess I am asking how to dail back the volume. And How did it get there. I was thinking about the sound post. What if the saddle IS too high? Mine is visually high, but I didn't think it mattered that much.

Canuck · Member Joined: 15 Oct 2012 Posts: 29

I am told my main violin is "loud". My usual retort is to reply with the comment that is NOT loud! I prefer to call it "responsive". But having a responsive violin has a plus, as I see it! Very frequently, I am asked to take the lead, to (sort of) cover for those whose confidence level may be lacking in a particular selection.

Paul Cormier · Junior Member Joined: 05 Feb 2013 Posts: 12

Thought I posted this, but will try again. Jcobyviolins nailed it. It was the sound post. 2 things I found. #1 The grain of the original was not perpendicular to the plate. #2 it was too tight. I kept sanding it down on my hardwood sanding block one stroke at a time with 150 grit sandpaper until it was perfect, Almost falling out. Just the slightest friction to hold it. Actually at this point the sound post almost set itself-- no more fighting. This puppy has such a full tone , it brings tear s to my eyes! The difference is unbelievable! Thank you.

jacobyfineviolins · Member Joined: 04 Mar 2013 Posts: 55 Location: Omaha, NE

I love the satisfaction of solving a tonal problem on one of my own fiddles! Feels great! Cheers!
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