ABRSM  
Search the forum

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> Forums Rules

A shortened version of the Forums Rules is given below. The full version can be found here.

By maintaining a user account and by posting to these forums, you hereby agree to abide by these rules.

FORUMS RULES - A SNAPSHOT
- Stay safe - protect your privacy and respect the privacy of others
- No abusive, offensive or aggressive postings
- No insults or personal attacks
- No foul language
- No trolling
- No inappropriate or illegal material
- No advertising (including "For Sale" or "Wanted" adverts)
- No crossposting
- No forum spamming
- No defamatory comments
- Avoid using jargon, abbreviations or "text talk"

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Changing Tailpiece
ffliwt
post Jul 1 2009, 06:39 PM
Post #1


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 899
Joined: 17-February 07
From: Cymru/Wales
Member No.: 9572
Seeing as my violin is now 100% paid for and mine, i can now get the tailpiece changed on it like i've been planning on doing for a while now... (she has a horrible metal one on i bought a nice boxwood one for her!)
But now that i can, i'm worrying - is there aaany way it could have an effect on her sound? (ooobviously i'm not going to be changing it! i'm taking her to a violin shop)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jojo
post Jul 1 2009, 07:06 PM
Post #2


Prodigy
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1420
Joined: 18-December 06
From: South London, UK
Member No.: 8716
QUOTE(ffliwt @ Jul 1 2009, 07:39 PM) *

Seeing as my violin is now 100% paid for and mine, i can now get the tailpiece changed on it like i've been planning on doing for a while now... (she has a horrible metal one on i bought a nice boxwood one for her!)
But now that i can, i'm worrying - is there aaany way it could have an effect on her sound? (ooobviously i'm not going to be changing it! i'm taking her to a violin shop)


I would imagine that if the sound changed it would be for the better? (from metal to wood??) but hey, when you take it to the violin shop, play on it after it's been changed and if you don't like it have the metal one put back (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
only takes 5 minutes to a luthier to change a tailpiece
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mcm
post Jul 1 2009, 07:57 PM
Post #3


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 427
Joined: 29-March 07
From: Scotland
Member No.: 10395
It may surprise you to know that the tailpiece can make quite a difference to the sound -- it is not the material it is made of but the weight which matters. The metal tailpieces by Wittner, with built-in adjusters, are designed to be the 'correct' weight.

Some luthiers consider a boxwood one to be a bit on the light side. I have boxwood (Hill pattern) on my violin and am quite happy with it but one of these days am going to change it to ebony.

My previous violin came with an ebony one but quite small, and it looked a bit tatty. Purely for cosmetic reasons I changed it for a boxwood Hill and the difference and improvement in sound was amazing.

There is a good book called The violin explained which goes into this (and lots of other interesting detail).

Let us know how you get on.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rosfrog
post Jul 1 2009, 08:02 PM
Post #4


Virtuoso
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 2200
Joined: 24-April 05
From: NW France
Member No.: 3557
The Wittner ones are designed to be the correct weight, as already said - but honestly, the difference will only be noticeable under your ear - it will be very subtle and audience members are highly unlikely to notice the difference ( a bit like strings - I know everyone says 'oh but strings make such a huge difference' and yet our favorite violinists keep exactly the same sound irrespective of the strings they're playing on !)

It will, however, look glorious!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
jojo
post Jul 1 2009, 08:03 PM
Post #5


Prodigy
****

Group: Members
Posts: 1420
Joined: 18-December 06
From: South London, UK
Member No.: 8716
QUOTE(mcm @ Jul 1 2009, 08:57 PM) *



There is a good book called The violin explained which goes into this (and lots of other interesting detail).

£30!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)
I'll see if I can borrow it or wait for it to appear on ebay at half the price (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
DiscoPants
post Jul 1 2009, 09:44 PM
Post #6


Advanced Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 334
Joined: 5-November 07
Member No.: 19120
There is no "correct" weight for a tailpiece.
If you have a wolf note, changing the weight of the tailpiece can help (either by changing it or sticking a blob of plasticine underneath). Otherwise, put on what you think looks nicest.

PS Jo, if you think that £30 is a lot for a book, check out THESE cheeky fellows and be glad you're a player not a maker!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · Viva Strings · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 22nd November 2009 - 09:29 AM