Erockin - Posted - 09/06/2022:  04:52:21

Hello,

Hans Kotschka Aussig Breite Gasse 4 Spezial Musik Warenhaus

My name is Eric and I'm new to the fiddle world. I bought this fiddle the other day at a Thrift Store and I cannot find anything online about it. I did find someone local here is PA who is going to set it up and get it playable. Fine Tuners, Strings and a chin rest. He also said the neck and pegs might need attention but nonetheless, I paid $45 for it.

It feels solid. There are no cracks anywhere. For some reason, I just love the way it feels and looks. I haven't heard it yet! If anyone can tell me one thing about it, I'll buy a beer somehow.

I play bluegrass and have for 20 plus years. Bass, Guitar and Mandolin. This will be a private hobby for the next 20 years..but just something I've wanted to do and have the upmost respect for. I tried this post from my phone previously and could not attach the photos for some reason.

Thanks for any input.

Edited by - Erockin on 09/06/2022 05:11:29

My Fiddle

Fiddle

 

RobBob - Posted - 09/06/2022:  07:30:16

The light spots from wear on the tuning pegs and fingerboard tell me they are not ebony but perhaps maple that was stained black. Otherwise it looks OK but probably of not the highest quality. Probably good enough to learn on with a good set up and a decent bow. The bow is half of the outfit. You might want to add fine tuners to the tailpiece or get a carbonfiber tailpiece with them built in.  It will make tuning much easier.

Edited by - RobBob on 09/06/2022 07:31:34

Erockin - Posted - 09/06/2022:  08:01:28

Thanks! I thought the same thing about the neck. I'm taking it to have it set up with new strings and fine tuners. Probably pick up a tail piece and shoulder rest.
Yes, I need to get a bow. It came with one that was destroyed. So what you're saying is $45 was the right price!? lol

pete_fiddle - Posted - 09/06/2022:  09:51:34

When i listen to Ian Walsh on youtube, i always think that his fiddle with the dyed and worn through fingerboard sounds great. even better than his fiddle with an ebony fingerboard.



here's a for instance:

youtube.com/watch?v=Kb0NW5PzaD8

fiddlenerd - Posted - 09/06/2022:  09:55:00

Looks like a nice fiddle. Especially for $45. Could be ebony still...some ebony is light brown then stained. Either way, the wear shows that someone played this fiddle a lot, so that fiddler must have liked it. Tail pieces... some like the carbon fiber, some like wood. With well fitted pegs, there's no need for fine tuners other than the e string.

Erockin - Posted - 09/06/2022:  10:44:47

Really appreciate the information. I've been playing bluegrass 20+ years(guitar and bass) and have avoided this instrument for good reason...lol
We bought a $50 one on Ebay when our daughter was 8, hoping she's take it on and she never really grasped it.
I hosted a Bluegrass Jam in Frederick MD for over 4 years and experienced all levels of players. I was always kind to those starting out. I just hope I see the return. Cheers!

ChickenMan - Posted - 09/06/2022:  17:54:38

quote:

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Originally posted by fiddlenerd

Looks like a nice fiddle. Especially for $45. Could be ebony still...some ebony is light brown then stained. Either way, the wear shows that someone played this fiddle a lot, so that fiddler must have liked it. Tail pieces... some like the carbon fiber, some like wood. With well fitted pegs, there's no need for fine tuners other than the e string.

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My experience with these old fiddles is they rarely have smooth operating tuners. This one might be an exception. 

RobBob - Posted - 09/07/2022:  05:18:51

It will probably sound good but if you are using steel core strings I'd get fine tuners or replace the tuners on that fiddle with some kind of geared tuners. Getting it in tune with out fine tuners is a big adjustment from fretted instruments to bowed and may slow your progress down by fighting to get it in tune. There is always a chance you get the knack of it right away but I found it a challenge and used fine tuners back in the day since I used steel core strings.

Earworm - Posted - 09/07/2022:  05:49:46

I just think it's pretty.



If it gives you goosebumps just holding it, looking at it, everything else is "details". Does it smell good too? If you've got a local luthier setting it up, you'll find out soon enough how it really sounds. I agree that (4) fine tuners are a necessity though. Good luck on your new adventure!

Edited by - Earworm on 09/07/2022 05:54:42

DougD - Posted - 09/07/2022:  07:26:36

I like the looks of that fiddle. It also looks structurally sound - no visible top cracks, etc. which is important. Might be some open seams that need attention - your luthier will find that.
I doubt the fingerboard is ebony- more likely dyed maple or some other light wood. You can dye it again if you'd prefer that look, but you can tell that somebody has played that thing a lot, and w-a-y-y up the neck, which is interesting!
To clarify about strings, I can't tell what's on there, but there are no fine tuners, even on the E string. If you use gut or synthetic strings you really only need one for the E because its steel. The others are stretchy enough to tune with just the pegs if they work well.
That's a big "if" because as Billy said they often don't on old fiddles. These pegs also don't look like ebony and they're mismatched, so that might be an area to improve. If you want to use steel strings, the Wittner tailpiece with fine tuners built in is a good, inexpensive option. In any case you'll want to replace the tailgut, which looks to be real gut and is probably ready to break.
All in all it looks well worth $45 IMHO.
PS - What about the bow was "destroyed?" Might be worth having the luthier look at it too.

Edited by - DougD on 09/07/2022 07:30:01

WyoBob - Posted - 09/07/2022:  08:08:15

quote:

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Originally posted by DougD

 If you want to use steel strings, the Wittner tailpiece with fine tuners built in is a good, inexpensive option. In any case you'll want to replace the tailgut, which looks to be real gut and is probably ready to break.

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A big thumbs up on a new tailgut (which comes with the very reasonably priced Wittner tailpiece) for an old fiddle with an unknown history.

The tailgut on my first fiddle that was given to me broke a tailgut when I set it on my lap so I could rosin my bow.   It sounded like a gun shot!   The bridge landed 10 feet away from where I was sitting.   Thank goodness the fiddle wasn't on my shoulder when the tailgut let go.

Erockin - Posted - 09/07/2022:  08:47:07

quote:

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Originally posted by DougD

I like the looks of that fiddle. It also looks structurally sound - no visible top cracks, etc. which is important. Might be some open seams that need attention - your luthier will find that.

I doubt the fingerboard is ebony- more likely dyed maple or some other light wood. You can dye it again if you'd prefer that look, but you can tell that somebody has played that thing a lot, and w-a-y-y up the neck, which is interesting!

To clarify about strings, I can't tell what's on there, but there are no fine tuners, even on the E string. If you use gut or synthetic strings you really only need one for the E because its steel. The others are stretchy enough to tune with just the pegs if they work well.

That's a big "if" because as Billy said they often don't on old fiddles. These pegs also don't look like ebony and they're mismatched, so that might be an area to improve. If you want to use steel strings, the Wittner tailpiece with fine tuners built in is a good, inexpensive option. In any case you'll want to replace the tailgut, which looks to be real gut and is probably ready to break.

All in all it looks well worth $45 IMHO.

PS - What about the bow was "destroyed?" Might be worth having the luthier look at it too.

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Hey, thanks for the input. You guys have been more than helpful so far on my journey! My main concern was the $45 haha. I've seen the student ones and the really cheap Chinese ones and this is no comparison to those types. I am really excited to get going on this thing. Oh and by destroyed I meant that there are only a few strands of hair left on it. My plan was to try and have it re-strung if it was worth it. 

DougD - Posted - 09/07/2022:  09:08:22

Eric - "My plan was to try and have it re-strung if it was worth it." Good idea. I've found some pretty good bows with old fiddles, some not so good!
Bob - Ha! I know what you mean. Years ago we were playing at a club in Iowa City on a raised stage so our heads were near the ceiling and it was very hot. Bob Potts' tailgut let go and you're right, it sounded like a shot. It took a couple minutes to sort out the mess and we had to pause the show until we came up with a temporary fix.