Violin Forum/Message Board

jessupe goldastini · Posted: Thu May 10, 2007 10:26 pm Post subject: sound post

regarding the positioning of the sound post...

is it just my violin....or does this seem to be the case in general...

{once the general vacinty is located...}

further away from the bridge...more treble

closer...more bass

closer to the center...more power

further away more reverb...???{ring}

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

I have found that when it comes to positioning the soundpost to get the
desired tone, no two violins are alike. you might have to move it a half
dozen times or more, to get close to the results you want. As you say
"once the general vacinity is located" , which is usually about 3 or four
mm's back of the foot of the bridge, moving it away from the bridge will
give you a softer tone, closer to the bridge will give you a brighter tone.
Moving it to the right, will give a darker tone. you will have to experiment.
Have some good soundpost wood, dried and aged if possible. with some
good grain. cut and shape the soundpost where the grain runs 90 degrees
to the grain of the top of the violin. Do not set the soundpost too tight. Set
it so that it will just snugly sit in position with the strings loosened.
Good Luck.

jessupe goldastini · Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject:

thanks jack, i appreciate your advice...

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

You're welcome, Speaking of soundpost, I just finished re-assembling
a violin that had the top removed to do some repair work. I replaced the
soundpost in its original position, and it did not sound so good. After
several attempts, I found the best location possible {at least for me}, and
it was a good four or five millimeters away from it's original position.
Removing and replacing the top seems to always change the tone of the
instrument a little.