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My fiddle arrived after a one week tour of the Eastern Seaboard. That's all I can figure, since I drove from Maryland to Maine in one day..........well, yeah, it was a long day ,....... but stillllllll.
This is only the second fiddle I've put my hands on, and the difference is like night and day. The cheap rental will go on it's merry way , to torture student, parents and mostly the poor , unsung music teacher , who has my undying sympathy.
My fiddle is an old German ( it even says "Made in German" ) on the label. Acording to the internet, German craftsman started labeling country of origin in 1894, to show pride in their exports. By the early 1900's, it was required by importing countries. She ( not to be sexist, but men usually refer to objects that they love as She.) has been around the block a time or two and her condition shows it. There is a crack in the top that I will have to deal with, and since I am also going to change the bridge to one not so flat, and try synthetic strings, it might as well be now.
The tone was good from the start, but I thought I'd give Pogo's vibrational theorys a go. I played it strongly for four hours straight, concentrating on the lower two strings mostly. I don't know how long it's been since this instrument was played regularly, but she seemed to open up, to my ears. This fiddle has " The Tone " that I was looking for. Very rich, resonant and warm. So, I won't mind spending the money to get her in the best shape. She'll never make the cover of "Beautiful Violin " monthly, but she has a tone, that I wouldn't be embarassed to hand to any one of my favorite players, and say " try this one ".
It came with a piece of folk art, called a coffin case. Probably the original, made in the makers shop. I'll definitely need to get something modern.
And now that I have a good fiddle, and I have to drive to a string shop anyway.............It probably makes sence to at least try some better bows than a Glasser ( not that there's anything wrong with a Glasser.) But, the hair is skimpy and very loose so I'm going to have to leave that to be done. Anyway, it makes a good excuse as any.
So, now, at least I won't feel like I'm fighting a losing battle to try to sound good. But..........now, I'll have no excuses if I don't........ Seems like a fair trade-off.
7 comments on “My First Fiddle has Arrived”
Rene Says:
Thursday, April 9, 2009 @3:42:06 PM
Congrats!!! Your first fiddle, just like your first love, a special bond there, you'll never get over. Enjoy her and play, play, play.
Oh by the way, where is ellsworth in relationship to woolwich maine? I've got relatives in woolwich and bath.
mudbug Says:
Thursday, April 9, 2009 @4:18:27 PM
Thanks for the comments. Bath is about 1/4 of the way up the Maine coast, and Ellswoth/ Acadia Nat'l Park is about 2/3 of the way up the coast. You should deffinitely visit your relatives!
bj Says:
Thursday, April 9, 2009 @5:11:52 PM
Congrats on the New Arrival! I knew it would be Love At First Sound! Get hold of Swing for luthier recommendations. Sometimes the better luthiers don't work out of music shops.
bj Says:
Thursday, April 9, 2009 @5:12:47 PM
oh, and POST PICS! It's a tradition, like family photos!
Rene Says:
Thursday, April 9, 2009 @5:56:39 PM
We were up there about 5 years ago, may try and make it up this year or next. Have to get a big jam session going.
ViolaFiddler Says:
Thursday, April 9, 2009 @10:16:52 PM
Happy Homecoming to your new 'she'!
I also refer to my viola as 'she' ,so this is not just a guy thing.
Glad the tone of her meets your ear expectations. I've an old and scratched up Strad viola and she has a warm and deep tone to match her age. Now to get into that practice schedule this weekend.
I"m so happy that your fiddle has landed and you are smitten!
fiddlepogo Says:
Friday, April 10, 2009 @6:33:38 PM
Congrats,
but I'm a little concerned about the top crack- not anywhere near the sound post I hope...
by all means get it fixed soon so it doesn't get bigger.
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