barretone - Posted - 01/17/2023:  10:11:52

Hello experts. I'm having a challenge getting spreader wedges to stay in one piece when I install them. I find after I score and (gently) snap off the excess that small chunks come out on the sides near the ferrule, making an even spread of hair impossible. I'm using bass wood. Any advice appreciated.

Randy

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 01/17/2023:  16:41:06

Are you fitting the spread wedge in and then just breaking it off while it’s still in the ferrule?

barretone - Posted - 01/18/2023:  08:53:19

Yes. If there's a better way, I'm all ears.

TuneWeaver - Posted - 01/18/2023:  15:11:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by barretone

Yes. If there's a better way, I'm all ears.

---

An aside comment.. but sure to put a few (several) extra hairs on the part of the frog that is away from you.. That is so when you tip the bow away while playing, there are still plenty of hairs on the string..It is a finer point.. If you research it you will see what I'm referring to..

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 01/18/2023:  17:06:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by barretone

Yes. If there's a better way, I'm all ears.

Test fit the wedge. When it's the right shape and size, put the wedge stock in place and mark a line across at the ferrule with a pencil. Then just cut the wedge off the stick with a fine saw. No more jagged edges!

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 01/18/2023:  17:09:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by TuneWeaver

quote:

---

Originally posted by barretone

Yes. If there's a better way, I'm all ears.

---

An aside comment.. but sure to put a few (several) extra hairs on the part of the frog that is away from you.. That is so when you tip the bow away while playing, there are still plenty of hairs on the string..It is a finer point.. If you research it you will see what I'm referring to..

 

---

The ribbon of hair needs to be neat and flat, not bunched up at one side. It's not adding more hair that improves the tracking of the bow on the playing side but getting the hair tension right.

The only exception is a Vuillaume frog, where the wedge has to be shaped differently to allow the hair to curve with the ferrule. The hair is still evenly distributed and the tension needs to be right. 

Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 01/18/2023 17:11:55

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 01/19/2023:  10:41:08

Just wanted to add for clarity:

When cutting the wedge to the pencil line with a saw, the stick should be out of the ferrule. That way you can be very precise and cut on a work surface. Once the wedge is cut off, it can be installed with a flat -edged tool.