When I tap on my fiddle I get a "G" note on my Peterson Strobe.
Is there a note that builders strive for when they put the top,back plate and sides together? Is one note better than another as far as getting a dark or bright tone is concerned?
Thanks.

Posted - 02/08/2010 :  18:02:22  

The tap tones vary a great deal as each builder has or her own ideas about this. There is usually a difference between the top and the back on better instruments. This is a complicated subject and perhaps one of the luthiers will contribute to this.

Posted - 02/08/2010 :  19:47:17        

Mr Coehlo is correct. Very complicated.

I recommend watching this video. Its 6 parts and really enjoyable. At one point the master luthier takes a bow and plays the sides of the plates to tune them. I think one is a half step off from the other in the video.

Worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjByJMwOMcc

m.

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  04:42:25    

Thanks for the link. Very enjoyable and informative. I am putting together a Kit and wondered if there was a note I should look for now that the top and back plates have been attached to the sides? My expectations are pretty low!haha..looking more to learn about the fiddle than to construct anything of exceptional quality :) that way anything above "junk" will be a plus!! I am lucky to have a Luthier helping me as I go along but, he also likes for me to search out answers on my own instead of him just telling me. That way he says, I will learn and not just mimick. Thanks.

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  05:51:20        

Does this note change with chinrest mass changes?

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  05:56:01      

On most decent violins, if you blow across the f holes you will get something close to a C#. But that reflects the air volume of the body.

Edited by - emviolins on 02/09/2010 06:01:23

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  06:00:52    

The note I was refering to was produced from tapping on my old German fully set up fiddle "G"
when I tap on the body of the Kit fiddle I get a "G#" so far. Just wondered if there was a "target" note that you folks look for. Thanks for your replies.

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  06:08:27    

emviolins,
Are you referring to bowing across the F holes before they are attached to the sides or after?
Mine are attached and I tried it just for the heck of it and got a "D" note.

Posted - 02/09/2010 :  06:15:45      

Tap tones on plates can vary from a 1/2 to 1-1/2 tones difference between the top and back. My finished strung up instruments generally register around C#. When tapping depending on where you hold it and where you tap the note will vary. Some vary their tones in the upper bout, c-bout area, lower bout and even the same areas on their bass bars. You may not be getting a true tap tone note.
Bowing your body and and getting a D shows you are close to the C#.
Ed

Edited by - emviolins on 02/09/2010 06:19:38