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Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I am contemplating getting a fiddle made and am looking for some advice on the best makers in Ireland/North America or anywhere else for that matter.
As I am a left hander, I am frequently frustrated by my inability to play an old instrument before choosing it as the bass bar and sound post have to be adjusted on any fiddle I play. This also creates difficulties in that this type of serious tampering with the fiddle can create an instrument which sounds different before and after it's surgery, so I am never guranteed as to what I am going to get at the end of the process. Also of course the dimensions of a fiddle are asymmetrical so switching it around is not really true to the original intention of the maker.
I am currently playing an early Wolff Bros fiddle which is a German made violin.
I am looking for a deep rich resonant tone. My old fiddle played particularly well on the D and G strings and was great in D minor but perhaps the rest of the instrument suffered a little as a result of the imbalance. Can anyone advise me on a good maker and on the possible budget. I am really thinking about euro3,500 - 5,000 but perhaps this is unrealistic for a hand-made instrument?
Has anybody anywhere ever heard of a fiddle that was made left- handed or can some bright spark think of any alternative solutions to my dilemna?
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I guess I don't understand why one would want to play "left handed" because I've never thought of the instruments (violin or guitar, or other string instr) as "handed."
There is a top fiddler in the US, from idaho (forgot her name at the moment) that plays "lefty" but now that I think of it, she just uses regular fiddles, not restrung the other way, just with the chin rest on the other side. I remember watching her and thinking it was odd to raise the bow arm to reach the e string. Visually odd. Especially when playing with another fiddler. But she does it, and well, too.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Think again wyogal. The fiddle is set up with a bass bar and a sound post. were you to just play the fiddle left handed the close strings would be the GD like the Cello. I can Tell you from experiance that playing tunes is harder having to reach over for the top E. So you need a lefty handed fiddle with the bass bar on the other side, strung up the other way.
Some guitars have a cutaway for accessing the higher positions on the top strings, were you simply to play that guitar the other way round you would lose this facility. so a left handed guitar is needed if you wish to play jigs and reels in he high octave as I sometimes do.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
A member of our session ordered his fiddle in Romania and it is really great. They don't have left-handed fiddle on their site right at the moment, but I know that they build them. Maybe you can send them an e-mail and ask.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
David Papazian in Cape Breton makes left handed fiddles. They're quite lovely. I have a normal fiddle from him myself. Last time I checked he was still selling his handmade fiddles for under $2,000 Canadian. A bargain.
You can find his address by probably writing to Paul Cranford thru Paul's website, Cranford Publications. Paul and David live and work in Cape Breton.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I wasn't suggesting that is how one would go about playing left-handed (like the fiddler I was talking about, (that I've seen live and on recordings I've made of her playiing), thus the oddity. This fiddler in particular was taught to play that way from an early age and apparently the reach doesn't bother her a bit. (classical player as well) I just thought it was interesting.
I would agree that the way one would go about it is with a"real" left-handed instrument with the bass bar, etc, done properly, and it sounds like there are several suggestions as to where to find those.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Dont miss understand me, wyogal, i never thought you were for a minuet. If we spend enough time we can achieve anything, within reason. This fiddler goes to show that the human is infinitely adaptable. I met a Cellist who played tunes and jimi hendrix solo type stuff! incredible player. I was just pointing out the technical problems that need to be superseded . how ever one approaches it there will be challanges that a righty wont have to deal with.
My sonis a lefty, as leftys are at a dissadvantage in life[ statistical fact]we taught him to be ambidextrous from day one. He Writes left handed still but he has a greater choice available.
This fiddler goes to demonstrate what can be achieved through dedication and starting at a young age.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I have six lefthanded fiddles. Two are 100+ years old and were converted. Another is a 1920's Mirecourt. I recently got a Gama. Considering the cost, resale value, and uncertainty with conversions, I would heartily recommend a Gama. If you want something nicer, Contact Robert Kogut in Lenoir, NC. He's building some of the gutsiest most robust fiddles these days. Darol Anger was playing one about 4 years ago. I've talked to him, and he is comfortable with lefties, and they are in your price range.
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
not sure where you're based Macamoo - but if in UK I recommend Dave Mann in Hexham. He gets in unfinished good quality bodies from a maker in I think Romania, which he finishes off to a high standard. They're in your price range and - having tried one - I can heartily recommend
Ian http://www.myspace.com/ianfrancisfiddle
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Thanks everybody for all the interesting leads. Now it's just a question of so many choices. I would love to indulge in a bout of chronic indecisiveness but I gave that up for the New Year so decision time is upon me. I will keep you all posted!
I don't know if Gliga are the only makers who don't charge extra for lefty models, but they are fabulous value for money. The Guarnerius version of either the Gems or Gama has the rich, dark tone that you're after.
Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I am contemplating getting a fiddle made and am looking for some advice on the best makers in Ireland/North America or anywhere else for that matter.
As I am a left hander, I am frequently frustrated by my inability to play an old instrument before choosing it as the bass bar and sound post have to be adjusted on any fiddle I play. This also creates difficulties in that this type of serious tampering with the fiddle can create an instrument which sounds different before and after it's surgery, so I am never guranteed as to what I am going to get at the end of the process. Also of course the dimensions of a fiddle are asymmetrical so switching it around is not really true to the original intention of the maker.
I am currently playing an early Wolff Bros fiddle which is a German made violin.
I am looking for a deep rich resonant tone. My old fiddle played particularly well on the D and G strings and was great in D minor but perhaps the rest of the instrument suffered a little as a result of the imbalance. Can anyone advise me on a good maker and on the possible budget. I am really thinking about euro3,500 - 5,000 but perhaps this is unrealistic for a hand-made instrument?
Has anybody anywhere ever heard of a fiddle that was made left- handed or can some bright spark think of any alternative solutions to my dilemna?
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by Macamoo
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Michael Allen is your man.
He made my fiddle and its a real beauty.
He will make you one and grade it for a left handed person too.
Best of all he won't srew you. He is the most genuine guy to deal with.
Your can contact him through the mustard board here.
http://www.thesession.org/members/display/3533
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by session savage
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I guess I don't understand why one would want to play "left handed" because I've never thought of the instruments (violin or guitar, or other string instr) as "handed."
There is a top fiddler in the US, from idaho (forgot her name at the moment) that plays "lefty" but now that I think of it, she just uses regular fiddles, not restrung the other way, just with the chin rest on the other side. I remember watching her and thinking it was odd to raise the bow arm to reach the e string. Visually odd. Especially when playing with another fiddler. But she does it, and well, too.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Think again wyogal. The fiddle is set up with a bass bar and a sound post. were you to just play the fiddle left handed the close strings would be the GD like the Cello. I can Tell you from experiance that playing tunes is harder having to reach over for the top E. So you need a lefty handed fiddle with the bass bar on the other side, strung up the other way.
Some guitars have a cutaway for accessing the higher positions on the top strings, were you simply to play that guitar the other way round you would lose this facility. so a left handed guitar is needed if you wish to play jigs and reels in he high octave as I sometimes do.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by jig
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
A member of our session ordered his fiddle in Romania and it is really great. They don't have left-handed fiddle on their site right at the moment, but I know that they build them. Maybe you can send them an e-mail and ask.
http://www.stringinstruments.ro/
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by fiddlinsue
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
David Papazian in Cape Breton makes left handed fiddles. They're quite lovely. I have a normal fiddle from him myself. Last time I checked he was still selling his handmade fiddles for under $2,000 Canadian. A bargain.
You can find his address by probably writing to Paul Cranford thru Paul's website, Cranford Publications. Paul and David live and work in Cape Breton.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by mtodd
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I wasn't suggesting that is how one would go about playing left-handed (like the fiddler I was talking about, (that I've seen live and on recordings I've made of her playiing), thus the oddity. This fiddler in particular was taught to play that way from an early age and apparently the reach doesn't bother her a bit. (classical player as well) I just thought it was interesting.
I would agree that the way one would go about it is with a"real" left-handed instrument with the bass bar, etc, done properly, and it sounds like there are several suggestions as to where to find those.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by wyogal
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Dont miss understand me, wyogal, i never thought you were for a minuet. If we spend enough time we can achieve anything, within reason. This fiddler goes to show that the human is infinitely adaptable. I met a Cellist who played tunes and jimi hendrix solo type stuff! incredible player. I was just pointing out the technical problems that need to be superseded . how ever one approaches it there will be challanges that a righty wont have to deal with.
My sonis a lefty, as leftys are at a dissadvantage in life[ statistical fact]we taught him to be ambidextrous from day one. He Writes left handed still but he has a greater choice available.
This fiddler goes to demonstrate what can be achieved through dedication and starting at a young age.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by jig
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
While you are looking up David Papazian also check with Otis Tomas of Cape Breton. He is making me a lovely fiddle. Lovely man.
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by oriley
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I have six lefthanded fiddles. Two are 100+ years old and were converted. Another is a 1920's Mirecourt. I recently got a Gama. Considering the cost, resale value, and uncertainty with conversions, I would heartily recommend a Gama. If you want something nicer, Contact Robert Kogut in Lenoir, NC. He's building some of the gutsiest most robust fiddles these days. Darol Anger was playing one about 4 years ago. I've talked to him, and he is comfortable with lefties, and they are in your price range.
Jim
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by jhol111964
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
not sure where you're based Macamoo - but if in UK I recommend Dave Mann in Hexham. He gets in unfinished good quality bodies from a maker in I think Romania, which he finishes off to a high standard. They're in your price range and - having tried one - I can heartily recommend
Ian
http://www.myspace.com/ianfrancisfiddle
# Posted on January 8th 2008 by ian francis
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Hi, I make,repair and play violin .I'm in Morelia Mexico.
I can make one left handed for you.
E-mail to angel_rf4@hotmail.com
# Posted on January 9th 2008 by 766103
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
Thanks everybody for all the interesting leads. Now it's just a question of so many choices. I would love to indulge in a bout of chronic indecisiveness but I gave that up for the New Year so decision time is upon me. I will keep you all posted!
# Posted on January 9th 2008 by Macamoo
Re: Seeking advice on a good fiddle maker or any left handed fiddles
I play a left-handed Gliga Gems 2, which I bought from Elida: http://www.elidatrading.co.uk/
I don't know if Gliga are the only makers who don't charge extra for lefty models, but they are fabulous value for money. The Guarnerius version of either the Gems or Gama has the rich, dark tone that you're after.
# Posted on January 9th 2008 by DavyR