I wonder if there are any Hardingfele folks out there? I built a Hardanger violin with plans bought from Mr. Berg out in Oregon. I have never been quite certain what to tune the under-strung strings to. Some say the first four notes to Greig's Spring is the traditional. But at what pitch? I can make them the same note an octave higher or lower. I never have figured out the pitch notation like G vs g with a number.  If I make them a higher pitch like the top e string and then each somewhat lower after that I do not get much drone effect if I go an octave lower they seem too quiet. Also does anyone have a good supplier of the sympathetic strings?

If you need ball end strings, you can use the thinnest guitar strings from somewhere that will sell you single strings.  I have the .010, .009, .008 and I believe .007  on mine just now.  You just cut off a whole bunch.

If I am playing A or D tunes in ADAE, then I have them tuned a d e f#, which for A gives you the 1, 4, 5 and 6; and for D gives you 5, 1, 2 and 3.

If I am playing in GDAE, I tune them a b d g, which in G gives you 2, 3, 5 and 1 and in D gives you 5, 6, 1 and (if you drop the g to f#) 4.

This is all based on nothing buy my own noodling and I am sure is completely  non-standard.  I am no authority on the "right" way to do anything.

Swampash,

You are almost certain to find out how to tune those sympathetic strings if you put a tune up on YouTube and indicate your tuning, whatever you used.

People who make it their business to correct you will start commenting.

Larry

Check this out:

https://sites.google.com/a/hfaa.org/hfaa-test/Home/articles-on-the-hardanger-fiddle/a-guide-to-tunings-on-the-hardingfele

The D string and the D understring should be the same pitch.

You can also order understrings from the HFAA website above.

Edited by - mossyfiddle on 08/22/2012 18:30:17

Thanks to all for the info!

I've gathered nearly all the components and hope to build an electric hardanger fiddle.  It's been on my project list !   :-)

Edited by - rustycase on 11/30/2012 22:10:28