DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online fiddle teacher.
Monthly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, fiddle news and more.
There was a man named mudbug in search of a fiddle. ( I just finished reading the Icelandic Sagas' , and this is how they all start. ) I just received my new fiddle ( old German trade fiddle ) in the mail, and it had a cracked top. I checked the internet, and found a string shop in southern Maine. It was the only one listed w / out going to Massachusetts.
Having the day off, I took a two and a 1/2 hour drive down. This was my first time in a designated string shop and I was in and out in 15 min. With one other customer there ( a classical violinist with impecable technique spewing thirty-second notes to the adoring girlfriend and salesman (( kinda like Guitar Center , but violin instead of electic guitar. )) It was made clear to me, by their tone of voice, that they did not desire to deal with fiddlers. Their bows start at $350, if thats any clue.
Having the rest of the day, my wife and I decided to drive back by the scenic route along the coast. My wife spotted the sign that said "fiddles" underneith a larger sign saying "rugs". A wonderful man who repairs old fiddles when there are no rug customers, made me understand my cracked top wasn't worth repairing, without being rude or condescending. I told him I'd keep it for a "beater" and shim the bridge with a match to at least make it playable ( the bridge was flat). He said "wait a minute, I'll fix that for you" . While he so graciously did this, I tried fiddles on the wall. I got the beater dirt cheap, and had a little money from the IRS, so I soon convinced myself ( with my wife's help) to buy a very resonant old German trade fiddle. It was in the middle price-wise, but had the best tone.
It didn't come with a bow, and my Glasser, which has loose sparse hair, isn't worth re-hairing, because it's cheaper to buy a new one. So I asked to try a new Glasser, but he didn't have any, and said try this. He handed me a bow, and while I don't know bows, I know well made objects. Just holding it in my hand, I knew this bow was high quality. After checking the price, I thanked him and handed it back saying it was out of my range. He said "oh no, since you're buying the fiddle" and dropped over 60% off the price. I couldn't pass it up.
So...........3 days ago, I had a cheap rental fiddle, and now I have two Germans, one a beater, both with great tone, and a bow that is better than I deserve.
I also learned to avoid certain string shops. Not all, by any means, as further up the road I found anouther string shop / maker, who sold high end violins and bows and was warm and welcoming. Two out if three ain't bad!
9 comments on “Saga of the Two Germans”
Swing Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @6:37:38 AM
I have visited that shop many times and bought my best bow from David Begin. He offers some wondeful fiddles and bows, you just have to stop in from time to time. There are more shops out there, keep playing and keep looking.
Play Happy
bj Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @7:49:52 AM
Steve, I'm glad you had a relatively happy ending with this. And if you do ease some hide glue in that crack you might find that the beater is perfectly okay for years to come. It'll make a great fiddle to bring to fiddle camps!
And I'm glad you found a great luthier! Cherish him, he's worth his weight in gold!
Being an afficionado of Blue Highway Travelling does have its benefits, eh? :-)
bj Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @7:54:26 AM
Oh, and now that you have two fiddles you can put one in crosstuning . . .
mudbug Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @8:14:21 AM
You're right Swing!
David is a wicked goooood man to know!
fiddlepogo Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @10:57:32 AM
Yeah, some violin shop owners and/or repairmen ought to be avoided if your a fiddler.
instrumentality Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @2:12:19 PM
Great story! Question: can you by any chance let me know where I might find this wonderful little fiddle shop, which sounds like it's in the southeastern part of ME? I'll be up that way in about a month...always love discovering new places for fiddles and related toys.
carroll Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @2:50:25 PM
Is that the shop that is on Rt 1, just north of Wiscasset? I've driven by that one many times on the way to Monhegan (via Port Clyde ferry) where we take our annual vacation. Often wondered if I should drop in.
- Carroll
mudbug Says:
Saturday, April 11, 2009 @3:35:13 PM
Yes, It is on Rt.1. , in Newcastle, Me. The name is the Salt Bay Trading Co. It is a relatively small , red building filled with beautiful rugs and the scent of homemade soap which he also sells. On the far wall are numerous, completed fiddles and a workbench witrh many more ahead of him. His name is Daviud Begin and his # is ( 207 ) 563-6611.
And if you're going that far, 1/2 hour North on Rt. 1, just N. of Rockland in Glenn Cove, Me., is Woodland Studio. The man is a luthier who builds guitars and restores violins and rare bows. Very knowledgeable and personable.
jamieholmes Says:
Sunday, April 26, 2009 @11:18:16 AM
Hi mudbag!.
Cute storie I enjoyed it and grats on you're new fiddle!.
Jamie.
You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.