Violin Forum/Message Board

maricas · Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 1:55 pm Post subject: new strings on a new violin

I haven't played for many years, and have been presented with a new, cheap violin (Bridgecraft, USA). On first tuning, a string broke so I thought it best to replace all strings. Purchased mid-price steel-core set and the package included a half-dozen or so tiny rubber washers about 5mm outside dia, 2mm inside. What in the world are these for??

The friend who gave me the violin (a new player himself) kindly tampered with the bridge by putting a big blob of glue where the E string crosses, but he replaced the bridge backwards and it has been slipping leftwards. So I purchased a new bridge. I have read posts about marking grooves and will work on those suggestions.

My question first is: should the post be centred beneath the bridge? On this violin it is definitely off-centre (from r to l) and off-centre in relation to F holes (a bit toward tailpiece). Is it moveable, and if so should I try to move it?

Thanks for any help. I'm really eager to start playing again!

Shirley · Posted: Sun Dec 26, 2010 3:08 pm Post subject:

Whoa, Maricas! Wait for an experienced repair person on this site to answer you, or you may cause some real damage. The soundpost definitely does not belong under the middle of the bridge, but at least close to where you describe it, although you will want to have it checked if the bridge (and therefore the holding pressure of the top plate) has been removed. (There is an art to setting a soundpost - even teensy moves can be effective.)

As for the little rubber "washers," I haven't a clue, and will anxiously be watching the replies to your query.

Good luck with your "re-entry" to the world of violin playing - Yay for you!

Shirley

Chad48309 · Member Joined: 26 Sep 2010 Posts: 110 Location: Michigan

The rubber washers included with your strings are for dampening the shrieking tone of metal-core strings. Sometimes they come with black tubing, which is threaded on, or they come with rubber washers, which I've found are best installed by simply placing under the string so that the string makes contact with the bridge (when at full tension), but is dampened on either side by the washer, like so:

Please do not move the soundpost without an idea of what you're doing. The soundpost should be placed in with just barely enough tension to keep it upright. The soundpost is placed with enough sensitivity where squeezing the sides of the violin is enough to move it. A properly placed soundpost is integral to good tone, and you should not move it once it has been set up by a reputable luthier. It takes years of trial and error to develop a sense of where to place the soundpost. Even so much as a millimeter in any direction can completely change the tone.
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-C.S.

Shirley · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 1:55 am Post subject:

Chad - I am happy to learn about the "washers."

Shirley

Chad48309 · Member Joined: 26 Sep 2010 Posts: 110 Location: Michigan

Of course, this is all player preference. It's just included for convenience.
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-C.S.

Lemuel · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: new strings on a new violin

maricas · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:15 pm Post subject:

Thanks, all, for your replies. I am on a search for a luthier not too far away so I don't have to ship the violin. Perhaps in Calgary....

caeman · Member Joined: 11 Dec 2008 Posts: 143