When last heard from our ahem, heroine, she was struggling with her violin-esque instrument, tuning, tailpiece, fine tuners etc. Many thanks for all the suggestions. After pondering all of this for aprox. 30 sec., she made an appointment to take the instrument in for a new tailpiece and discuss the problems. The time spent with the luthier was invaluable. The upshot was a new tailpiece and ultimately an upgrade to a serious fiddle.
The horror?: The replaced tailpiece was for a VIOLA! I feel like a complete and utter pinhead for not recognizing this. I knew that something was rotten in the state of Demark, but I didn’t have anything to compare with, until I had it replaced and got a good look at the thing. The luthier looked at the entire instrument and found that the bridge was “mal-aligned” with the sound post as well. Of course it was, the bridge was obviously moved up to accommodate the viola tailpiece. My bowing had changed for this ill fitting thing and intonation is slightly different as well.
"O, what men dare do! What men may do! What men daily do, not knowing what they do!" Since he is still shuffling this mortal coil, I say “Drown thyself”!, to the person who put the viola fitting on the instrument. "O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!"
All’s well that ends well. And since the play(ing)s the thing, lead on MacDuff!
Are there other horror stories out there so the heroine doesn’t have to feel like the ultimate pinhead? Do you think she could come up with more Shakespearean metaphors and quotes?
Actually, Grego, I have gained the pound of flesh. The violin was extremely heavy between the tailpiece and the heavy chrome mute I am using. I've been building upper arm strength. Plus, I've had an onoing romance with Ben And Jerry to sooth my shattred nerves and heart due to my troubles with the music. I intend to get my money back at the very least. I think they owe me strings too. I went through a complete set of strings in 2 months.
But look on the bright side, Deb. You found the source of the difficulties you've been having. Now all you have to do is fix your fingering, bowing, and all the other little things that this odd set-up caused. That should only take a few weeks, eh? [Dodges spare fiddle parts and heavy volume of plays flung by muscular Deb] And you have those great ripped triceps from holding the contraption up.
Yes, you are correct in the bright side. I actually went home during lunch to speed up the process on adjusting the bowing, fingering etc. It's coming. But, I may have exaggerated a bit on the upper arm strength. So I still have a way to go on being considered buff in the upper arms!
You shouldn't feel like a pinhead - every incident like this is a learning experience - and the fact that you've been brave enough to share it with the rest of us may prevent someone else having to go through a similar experience in the future. Yours may not have been the only fiddle this person got their hands on!!
This could be important. I looked up Tarrantella's profile, cos that's something I do now and then - and from there I looked at www.hookeagle.org.uk I think you should look at it. Take a look at the "musicians page" and read down to item 8.
JK has yet to turn up to one of our gigs in a gold lurex leotard - but if he does he will be most welcome!! The musician's code was re-iterated at riotously hilarious AGM a couple of years ago - there was an awful lot of drinking and the next year's AGM started with "Did anyone take notes of last year's meeting - if not, can anyone actually remember last year's AGM?!!!
Dave, It's worry off my mind. Yes, Joe ought to be told. The leotard is part of his kit and I'm sure he will rest easier knowing where it went off to. Rose probably nicked it from Joe, she's got to be stopped!
Tarantella, thanks for your kind words. I'm sure this hack luthier has worked on other instruments. He repairs at the music store where I have my fiddle lessons. I really didn't go Wahoo's Auto & Fiddle repair! Perhaps Wahoo would have done better. BTW, Joe I think would look great in your costumes! Do you allow Bodhrans, Chinese Gongs, Spoons & Vibra Slaps? He's your man!
If anyone in the Milwaukee and surrounding areas needs a referral for instrument repair, I highly suggest Beihoff's (www.Beihoffmusic.com). They have been great, and really care for the work they do.
Deb.
So, did the music shop accidently give you a viola tailpiece? Without comparing a full size violin to a viola tailpiece, is there an obvious size difference?
As for repair horror story - the first luthier I contacted quoted me AU$600 to repair the cracks in the top plate. Now they are pretty long cracks, but come on, $600? They must be really good at repairing for that price!
Beano, obviously you'll be looking around for a quote from another luthier! The problem is, if there's only one in a few hundred square miles he's going to charge what he thinks the market as a whole can bear, whereas if there are two or more luthiers working independently in a town then a degree of competitiveness will be present. See if you can get some private recommendations, possibly from classical players or teachers in your area.
As I mentioned on another thread, http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/4152/comments, it cost me £160 last year to have a 2" critical split in the belly repaired. This needed skilled attention, including taking the front off the fiddle, so it was a near re-build, and was therefore labour intensive. In the light of this a quote of AU$600 for repairing a number of long belly cracks may not be outrageous, but, as I said, ask around.
Also, is the instrument intrinsically worth repairing? A competent luthier would be able to advise you, and such a person may be reluctant to spend his time and resources on a lost cause.
The tailpiece was much wider, longer and hence heavier. The bridge had to be moved closer to the fingerboard to accomodate the tailpiece. But the cost of replacement was minimal and I know that I can reuse the new one on the upgrade I plan on. It's been less than a week and Am already noticing a difference in my ability and comfortability. I spoke with Beihoff's ant they do have a few instruments within my price range. Am going Saturday to take a look and maybe, I'll get lucky!
Trevor - In my eye it is a really nice violin. Has nice patina and looks good - hope it sounds good too. It looks like it was set up to be played by a good player (i.e. it only has an adjustor on the E string, whereas I am still using 4 adjustors!), so I'm using that as a good sign that it sounds better than my current one (which is a rebuilt skylark with a Strad label in it!).
I have shopped around, and I got a quote from a violin shop for AU$55 for the first inch and AU$11 for each inch thereafter. So I think I'll take that quote.
The Hook Morris website is hilarious! "I'd prefer to be referred to as a "multi-talented trombone maestro who should have been a seminal influence on Jamaican music in the past three decades"." *snort* Compliments to one nutter or another, Anne.
Thanks, Zina - Hook Eagle is a side full of nutters Great fun - although my appearances this year have been severely limited because of Tarrantella gigs.
Amongst the most memorable highlights was our version of Riverdance after a dance out at Stonehenge (I still can't believe I took a hand crafted fiddle in to the river - how pissed was I!!).
At the end of the dance I looked at the high bank I'd slid down and wondered how I would get out - and then a long black arm appeared and one of the Wolfmen pulled me out - and the fiddle survived!
Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
When last heard from our ahem, heroine, she was struggling with her violin-esque instrument, tuning, tailpiece, fine tuners etc. Many thanks for all the suggestions. After pondering all of this for aprox. 30 sec., she made an appointment to take the instrument in for a new tailpiece and discuss the problems. The time spent with the luthier was invaluable. The upshot was a new tailpiece and ultimately an upgrade to a serious fiddle.
The horror?: The replaced tailpiece was for a VIOLA! I feel like a complete and utter pinhead for not recognizing this. I knew that something was rotten in the state of Demark, but I didn’t have anything to compare with, until I had it replaced and got a good look at the thing. The luthier looked at the entire instrument and found that the bridge was “mal-aligned” with the sound post as well. Of course it was, the bridge was obviously moved up to accommodate the viola tailpiece. My bowing had changed for this ill fitting thing and intonation is slightly different as well.
"O, what men dare do! What men may do! What men daily do, not knowing what they do!" Since he is still shuffling this mortal coil, I say “Drown thyself”!, to the person who put the viola fitting on the instrument. "O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!"
All’s well that ends well. And since the play(ing)s the thing, lead on MacDuff!
Are there other horror stories out there so the heroine doesn’t have to feel like the ultimate pinhead? Do you think she could come up with more Shakespearean metaphors and quotes?
Deb-pinhead
# Posted on August 3rd 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
I'd be looking for a pound of flesh, if I were you.
# Posted on August 3rd 2004 by grego
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Actually, Grego, I have gained the pound of flesh. The violin was extremely heavy between the tailpiece and the heavy chrome mute I am using. I've been building upper arm strength. Plus, I've had an onoing romance with Ben And Jerry to sooth my shattred nerves and heart due to my troubles with the music. I intend to get my money back at the very least. I think they owe me strings too. I went through a complete set of strings in 2 months.
# Posted on August 3rd 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
But look on the bright side, Deb. You found the source of the difficulties you've been having. Now all you have to do is fix your fingering, bowing, and all the other little things that this odd set-up caused. That should only take a few weeks, eh? [Dodges spare fiddle parts and heavy volume of plays flung by muscular Deb] And you have those great ripped triceps from holding the contraption up.
# Posted on August 3rd 2004 by Batlady
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Yes, you are correct in the bright side. I actually went home during lunch to speed up the process on adjusting the bowing, fingering etc. It's coming. But, I may have exaggerated a bit on the upper arm strength. So I still have a way to go on being considered buff in the upper arms!
I still feel like a pinhead though. :o(
# Posted on August 3rd 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
You shouldn't feel like a pinhead - every incident like this is a learning experience - and the fact that you've been brave enough to share it with the rest of us may prevent someone else having to go through a similar experience in the future. Yours may not have been the only fiddle this person got their hands on!!
# Posted on August 4th 2004 by Tarrantella
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
DebWah
This could be important. I looked up Tarrantella's profile, cos that's something I do now and then - and from there I looked at www.hookeagle.org.uk I think you should look at it. Take a look at the "musicians page" and read down to item 8.
So that's what happened to the Gold Leotard!
Should we tell Joe?
Dave
# Posted on August 4th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
JK has yet to turn up to one of our gigs in a gold lurex leotard - but if he does he will be most welcome!! The musician's code was re-iterated at riotously hilarious AGM a couple of years ago - there was an awful lot of drinking and the next year's AGM started with "Did anyone take notes of last year's meeting - if not, can anyone actually remember last year's AGM?!!!
# Posted on August 4th 2004 by Tarrantella
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Dave, It's worry off my mind. Yes, Joe ought to be told. The leotard is part of his kit and I'm sure he will rest easier knowing where it went off to. Rose probably nicked it from Joe, she's got to be stopped!
Tarantella, thanks for your kind words. I'm sure this hack luthier has worked on other instruments. He repairs at the music store where I have my fiddle lessons. I really didn't go Wahoo's Auto & Fiddle repair! Perhaps Wahoo would have done better. BTW, Joe I think would look great in your costumes! Do you allow Bodhrans, Chinese Gongs, Spoons & Vibra Slaps? He's your man!
If anyone in the Milwaukee and surrounding areas needs a referral for instrument repair, I highly suggest Beihoff's (www.Beihoffmusic.com). They have been great, and really care for the work they do.
Deb.
# Posted on August 4th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
There was a song about Milwaukee wasn't there?
# Posted on August 4th 2004 by showaddydadito
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Could be Dave, but the only "song" I know is the jingle for Old Milwaukee Beer. We used to be a minor beer capitol in the States.
# Posted on August 4th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
So, did the music shop accidently give you a viola tailpiece? Without comparing a full size violin to a viola tailpiece, is there an obvious size difference?
# Posted on August 5th 2004 by beano
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
As for repair horror story - the first luthier I contacted quoted me AU$600 to repair the cracks in the top plate. Now they are pretty long cracks, but come on, $600? They must be really good at repairing for that price!
# Posted on August 5th 2004 by beano
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Beano, obviously you'll be looking around for a quote from another luthier! The problem is, if there's only one in a few hundred square miles he's going to charge what he thinks the market as a whole can bear, whereas if there are two or more luthiers working independently in a town then a degree of competitiveness will be present. See if you can get some private recommendations, possibly from classical players or teachers in your area.
As I mentioned on another thread, http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/4152/comments, it cost me £160 last year to have a 2" critical split in the belly repaired. This needed skilled attention, including taking the front off the fiddle, so it was a near re-build, and was therefore labour intensive. In the light of this a quote of AU$600 for repairing a number of long belly cracks may not be outrageous, but, as I said, ask around.
Also, is the instrument intrinsically worth repairing? A competent luthier would be able to advise you, and such a person may be reluctant to spend his time and resources on a lost cause.
Trevor
# Posted on August 5th 2004 by lazyhound
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
The tailpiece was much wider, longer and hence heavier. The bridge had to be moved closer to the fingerboard to accomodate the tailpiece. But the cost of replacement was minimal and I know that I can reuse the new one on the upgrade I plan on. It's been less than a week and Am already noticing a difference in my ability and comfortability. I spoke with Beihoff's ant they do have a few instruments within my price range. Am going Saturday to take a look and maybe, I'll get lucky!
# Posted on August 5th 2004 by Agnes Nutter
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
cool hope you get a nice one!
Trevor - In my eye it is a really nice violin. Has nice patina and looks good - hope it sounds good too. It looks like it was set up to be played by a good player (i.e. it only has an adjustor on the E string, whereas I am still using 4 adjustors!), so I'm using that as a good sign that it sounds better than my current one (which is a rebuilt skylark with a Strad label in it!).
I have shopped around, and I got a quote from a violin shop for AU$55 for the first inch and AU$11 for each inch thereafter. So I think I'll take that quote.
# Posted on August 6th 2004 by beano
Btw
The Hook Morris website is hilarious! "I'd prefer to be referred to as a "multi-talented trombone maestro who should have been a seminal influence on Jamaican music in the past three decades"." *snort* Compliments to one nutter or another, Anne.
# Posted on August 6th 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
Thanks, Zina - Hook Eagle is a side full of nutters Great fun - although my appearances this year have been severely limited because of Tarrantella gigs.
Amongst the most memorable highlights was our version of Riverdance after a dance out at Stonehenge (I still can't believe I took a hand crafted fiddle in to the river - how pissed was I!!).
# Posted on August 6th 2004 by Tarrantella
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
ummmm, is that hand-crafted fiddle still ok?
# Posted on August 7th 2004 by beano
Re: Instrument Repair Horror Story.....
At the end of the dance I looked at the high bank I'd slid down and wondered how I would get out - and then a long black arm appeared and one of the Wolfmen pulled me out - and the fiddle survived!
# Posted on August 9th 2004 by Tarrantella