Just a fun topic to get inspired and discuss stuff you recently acquired regarding your fiddle hobby.
I never ordered from a Chinese webshop before, but lately they are talking about the end of free shipping soon, so I thought why not make an exception for once and have a look at Temu. So after all those years I set principles aside and shopped this remarkably 39 euro carbon fibre bow that was in promotion (originally around 91 euro) The advertisement said: "Carbon Fiber Violin Bow 4/4, Artisan Made by Professional Violin & Bow Makers, Sturdy, Stiff & Well Balanced, Made with Mongolian Horsehair, for Violinists & Fiddlers of All Skill Levels."
I took me a couple of days before I got used to the balance of this bow, but now I played it for a while I can tell you that I am very happy with my purchase. For now , a nice extra carbon fibre bow that feels light in my hand and sounds nice on my fiddle and a good alternative to my codabow that needs a visit to the luthier.
Another thing I ordered is round shaped and made of wood with a brush attached to it. It is a rosin spreader. After you put rosin on the bow you can use this very cute nice tool to spread the rosin equally over the bow hairs. Very handy!
I cleaned my fiddle with a dampened cloth as I read RichJ saying in one topic, now my instrument shines again and it looks very new again. And my new titanium A string is on. Together with yet another bow I feel like a took well care of my fiddle at last :-) I even put it back in the suitcase now that is has been cleaned so well.
I have had 2 fiddles fit with Perfection Pegs. Thinking about a third one.
Had them done one at a time - trying to make sure that I didn't regret getting it done.
I really like them. I'm leaving the fine tuners installed, but wondering if I would recognize any difference in tone if I went back to a tailpiece without the fine tuners. I don't really need them anymore.
quote:
Originally posted by tonyelderI have had 2 fiddles fit with Perfection Pegs. Thinking about a third one.
Had them done one at a time - trying to make sure that I didn't regret getting it done.
I really like them. I'm leaving the fine tuners installed, but wondering if I would recognize any difference in tone if I went back to a tailpiece without the fine tuners. I don't really need them anymore.
I really like the Wittner geared pegs. Have them on four fiddles and a viola (did them all myself). Replaced tail pieces on all with wood tailpieces without fine tuners. I don't know if the lighter tailpieces without fine tuners makes a difference in tone but I like the simplicity.
I love the ease of tuning and it is so much easier to slightly detune then turn a peg till there is no beating. Plus I have a fairly long beard and the fine tuners on the tail piece were harder to mess with. :)
Edited by - DougBrock on 07/28/2024 18:47:00
I used to make a nuisance of myself at various fiddle/violin shops when I lived in L.A. And yeah, I bought more than my share of stuff at the places, including a trio of violins, bows, cases, etc. I got to say, too, that it really does increase your satisfaction when you can actually go to a shop, test a bunch of musical instruments, and get the sales person to play the instruments so that you know what they sound like at a proper listening distance.
I also twisted more than my share of tuning pegs, and soon warmed to the idea that if the pegs were properly fitted you really didn't need geared pegs. Then again, though, yeah I do still have fine tuners on my tail piece, but they're really little more than a holdover from my earlier fiddling days.
Not to change the subject..... I did have an interesting experience this past month. It is time to renew my instrument insurance. So, I went through my stuff and discovered a violin that I did not know I had, and do not remember purchasing. < sigh It is a fine Guarneri copy that I am enjoying playing. Go figure.
What an amazing discovery Richard!
That’s exciting! I wish I had musical instrument clutter!
My sister is cleaning out my mom’s house and has reported finding more than 20 boxes of bandaids and 12 dental flosses. No violins though.
( mom is fine, just a bit of a hoarder :-)
Last purchase for fiddle stuff was like 5 -6 months ago, I bought almost every type, kind, brand of E string out there. Still going thru them to find the perfect one.
quote:
Originally posted by wrench13Last purchase for fiddle stuff was like 5 -6 months ago, I bought almost every type, kind, brand of E string out there. Still going thru them to find the perfect one.
I'd like to read more on your findings after testing them all! Like, which one so far stands out and why and which one you would less likely advise to another player and why would that be? I am considering an experiment with a different brand E string also, since it seems to be done many others.
quote:
Originally posted by wrench13Last purchase for fiddle stuff was like 5 -6 months ago, I bought almost every type, kind, brand of E string out there. Still going thru them to find the perfect one.
Try Savarez guipsy guitar .010 a popular choice among fiddlers.
Interesting - I've never heard of anyone doing that over here, although of course I don't know everyone, and don't often even ask people what kind of strings they use. It might even be difficult to find those strings in most stores.
Here's a site with a large selection of violin E strings: fiddlershop.com/collections/vi...e-strings Heifetz reportedly used the Lenzner Goldbrokat E string, and so do I, as a replacement. They're about $3 or less.
PS - Corelli violin strings are made by Savarez. I wonder how the violin E compares to the guitar strings.
Interesting. Maybe a variation in gauges. I use a .012 to get E (down an octave) as a 1st string on my 4/4 cello.
quote:
Originally posted by Quincyquote:
Originally posted by wrench13Last purchase for fiddle stuff was like 5 -6 months ago, I bought almost every type, kind, brand of E string out there. Still going thru them to find the perfect one.
I'd like to read more on your findings after testing them all! Like, which one so far stands out and why and which one you would less likely advise to another player and why would that be? I am considering an experiment with a different brand E string also, since it seems to be done many others.
Anja, I am only 6 strings into this, with perhaps 14 more to try. My fiddle - well I am in love with the lower 3 strings and how it sounds, no matter the strings I use. The E, well I am looking for sonority, balance all the way up the string, but with a bit of warmth (hard to achieve on E's). Not shrill and piercing. It may turn out that a sound post adjustment might be in my future, although I HATE messing with sound posts, absolutely hate it. I;ve had some bad experiences with luthiers and sound post placements.
**SMACK** Oh yeah and a new bow to replace my exploding one (which did get repaired but I trust it not as a main bow now). Friggin' bows are just as pricey as fiddles.
I hear ya on the E string thing! It’s a hard string to love.
my obligato gold E is nice, but it used to make horrible whistling sounds ( in lieu of actual sound of the string). So my last two fiddle purchases were:
- a Hill E string (gonna try it out)
- an online workshop for melody players, on the keys and modes
Ps. As someone who also plays guitar...how do you install the string without a ball end? Do you tie a knot, and how would a knot hold with all that tension? (I've only played classical guitar...when I change strings there are only knots to hold ...)
Edited by - NCnotes on 07/31/2024 06:54:39
quote:
Originally posted by NCnotesI hear ya on the E string thing! It’s a hard string to love.
my obligato gold E is nice, but it used to make horrible whistling sounds ( in lieu of actual sound of the string). So my last two fiddle purchases were:
- a Hill E string (gonna try it out)
- an online workshop for melody players, on the keys and modesPs. As someone who also plays guitar...how do you install the string without a ball end? Do you tie a knot, and how would a knot hold with all that tension? (I've only played classical guitar...when I change strings there are only knots to hold ...)
"an online workshop for melody players, on the keys and modes"
Which one?
Have you got a link?
The workshop passed, so my link doesn't work anymore :-(
But it was through Tune Supply, which has cool remote stuff like lessons, virtual sessions...
and the workshop was taught by Andrew Finn McGill, an awesome fiddler.
Here's the link for Tune Supply, if anybody wants to check it out all the stuff they have...
I never knew they existed until our sesh leader sent us the info...
https://tune.supply/
I just wanna add that I was resistant to virtual sessions, but am warming up to them for the following reasons:
- It's after midnight and I feel like doing some playing? Pull up a virtual session...
- You can rewind the specific set you like and want to learn over and over again...
- Instead of gasping to keep up, you can set the YouTube at 75% speed...
- Tune names are clearly written out (unlike the session mate who says "dunno, learned this one last week from Ashley" :-)
Edited by - NCnotes on 07/31/2024 15:31:53
quote:
Originally posted by NCnotesThe workshop passed, so my link doesn't work anymore :-(
But it was through Tune Supply, which has cool remote stuff like lessons, virtual sessions...
and the workshop was taught by Andrew Finn McGill, an awesome fiddler.
Here's the link for Tune Supply, if anybody wants to check it out all the stuff they have...
I never knew they existed until our sesh leader sent us the info...
https://tune.supply/
I just wanna add that I was resistant to virtual sessions, but am warming up to them for the following reasons:
- It's after midnight and I feel like doing some playing? Pull up a virtual session...
- You can rewind the specific set you like and want to learn over and over again...
- Instead of gasping to keep up, you can set the YouTube at 75% speed...
- Tune names are clearly written out (unlike the session mate who says "dunno, learned this one last week from Ashley" :-)
Just Watched the "Celtic fiddle festival" With Kevin Burke Et Al.....Brilliant. Smiled all the way through it. Thanks for the link.
I'll watch that too! Thanks. :-)
