Using post setter, insert post into treble side fhole with post toward the tailpiece. Without this correction, the violin bridge could snap hard on the violin s top surface, causing damage to the varnish. Atlantic violin supplies, located in new brunswick, canada, is a violin supply business providing value and service since 1993. Soundposts in student instruments fall all too often. If it collapses while the strings are on the instrument, it could cause serious damage. As a performer i always found it a little disappointing that most of us dont have any skills in upkeeping our instrument, whether its carving a bridge, rehairing a bow, or setting a sound post. The randomusefulstuff youtube tuning video is an easy to use violin tuner designed to help you get the right notes to tune your violin. If the string slots in the bridge or top nut are too narrow, the strings will not slide through them during tuning. Ive also seen the top plate actually pop off glue fail around the edges when the post that has. The post causes the instrument to vibrate in asymmetric patterns which project sound very powerfully.
They were always rough cut that is you would have to spend time to sand them down to a proper diameter. The fall of the soundpost jim clinton violins greenville, sc. Violin set of sound post tools s setter, scissor setter. Have the sound post checked to make sure it is not correspondingly too short or too long.
Tuning the violin sound post by david langsather, an instructional video. Violin viola s style sound post setter, sets the standard for the very useful s setter, rubber grip, stainless steel sharpened point usa. A patch is always the best repair for a soundpost crack. The position of the sound post inside a violin is critical. See our selection of world class sheetmusic for all types of string intruments. The high notes come from the wood between the treble foot of the bridge and the top of the sound post. On the bass side of an instrument is a bass bar, a cross section of which can be seen in the illustration above. This measurement can be made with a cut business card. The top or back plate can crack, or distort making it crack when you try to stand the sound post back up. Miles doubleday, our senior restorer, has over 20 years experience with ealing strings london, uk. In some circumstances we just glue the crack and hope it holds, as would be the procedure on an inexpensive instrument. Repairing an instrument with a sound post crack triangle.
Aug 24, 2014 tuning the violin sound post by david langsather, an instructional video. As the sound post tension is critically important to the acoustic response of the violin a crack in this area will result in the instrument becoming unplayable. Its good to have a new piece of wood covering the cracked area with a slightly altered grain orientation, effectively laminating the top in that sensitive area. The sound of a bowed instrument violin family is not the sound of the vibrating string but the vibrating wood it activates through the bridge. Tap tone tuning the violin sound post for better performance using tap tone technology. The violin is tuned to the following notated pitches click on the notes to hear the pitch. Sound post definition is a small post in an instrument of the viol or violin family set nearly under the bridge as a support and as a transmitter of vibrations to the back. Dec 14, 2016 how to set up violin sound post please subscribe at least one new video is posted each and every day. Buy violin set of sound post tools s setter, scissor setter, gauge, and sound post retrieve vwws. Violin sound post adjustment article about violin sound. Repairing a crack over the sound post requires a patch on the inside of the top plate. Sound post definition of sound post by merriamwebster.
If the string sounds higher than the correct pitch, gently turn the peg or tuner to the left. In resetting the soundpost to temporarily get the instrument up and working again, we are embarking on a complicated procedure. Mar 28, 2016 as the parent of a violin student, you may be curious about how much you can expect to pay for a particular repair. Sound post crack if a violin has the misfortune to develop a crack in the sound post area this will effect the instruments performance dramatically. Shop for violin, viola, cello, bass, chamber music, orchestra, royal conservatory, popular, suzukui, fiddle and many more types of sheet music. Learning to tune your violin is an important part in becoming proficient in your ability. This question was prompted by lyndons reply to puckfans thread labeled pietro guarneio. After 250 years, how did the two happen to become separated. Keeping post at a slight angle move toward center widest area of body, then begin standing post upright. Diy violin adjustments for better sound connolly music.
An instrument without a sound post will sound weak, thin and hollow. The long term effect of sound post adjustments is misunderstood by many musicians. When in position and with no string tension, the sound post should stand in position without falling when the violin is gently tipped. The pointed end of the sshaped setter is designed to pierce and position the sound post inside the instrument and the other side is designed to pull or push in or out or tap from side to side. Strings have come loose due to humidity, broken or fallen. When i started out, a post crack in the back was seen as the death o. If a sound post is too long, we trim down the sound post to prevent the pressure from cracking the top plate. Wm mason ii violin shop offers the following repairs and services for violins, violas, cellos and bass instruments. After tuning, the instruments bridge may be examined to ensure that it is standing straight and centered between the inner nicks of. That is why you get no sound if the sound post is directly under the foot the bridge.
There are two crucial distances in the placement of the spruce sound post. Sound post cracks are very common in the long life of a violin family instrument. We have made the tuner interactive so you can select any. This article will explain what is involved in performing a sound post reset. This instrument had lots of cracks a couple of them were only a couple millimeters apart. The balance of the strings is affected by this distance. Violin maker guy rabut on when to adjust a sound post. Violin free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Browse other questions tagged tuning violin or ask your own question. Check for cracks or openings in the top or back, or anywhere a fallen instrument may have landed. Also inscribed with pencil on he inside of the top is this.
Using an electronic chromatic tuner is the best way for beginners to learn this diy violin adjustment. Another sound post crack with lots of other cracks on the top. It is the string tension that really clamps the sound post into position. Join daniel as he travels the world exploring, helping violinists, violin makers. How much does it cost to repair a broken soundpost in a violin. Loosen the strings and take it to a competent repairman. The soundpost and bass bar are usually equidistant from the respective edge of bridge foot. The sound post bridges the top and back of the violin on the inside, allowing them to vibrate together more harmoniously. I have purchased sound post blanks from other vendors. The four strings on the violin are tuned in perfect fifths to the following notes. Fine tuners or pegs may be used to tune the violin. Dec 24, 2010 but heres the thing you do not want that violin sitting around with the strings under tension for very long without the sound post in. The position of the sound post inside a violin is critical, and moving it by very small amounts as little as 0. They carry a large selection of quality violins, violin parts, bows, construction woods, finishes, accessories, technical books, strings, and much more.
When repaired properly with a sound post patch, the instrument can continue to be a reliable tool beyond your lifetime and perhaps even improve its tone. The first is the relationship of the soundpost to the bass bar. Specialized tools for standing up or moving a sound post are commercially available. Stick post down from top of post at shortest side picture 11.
When a top crack passes over the sound post area it is the usual procedure to inlay a patch on the inside so that the pressure from the soundpost will not reopen the crack. Ive also seen the top plate actually pop off glue fail around the edges when the post that has rattled around for. View of a sound post through the end pin hole at the bottom of the violin. Experienced luthier, keith williams offers these suggestions for making your violin sound its best. Moving it closer to the treble f hole usually makes the sound brighter, sometimes harder, the opposite direction makes the violin sound warmer, darker sometimes a little less powerful. The violin had well developed body modes, as well as a0, at the lower frequencies in the range of the violin as will be seen in the tap responses below. The post puts a lot of pressure on that area and the bridge puts a lot on from the other side. Violin sound post measuring system smg2gauge and smproplus setter.
Stewmacs sound posts come finished in a diameter appropriate for most fiddles. Tune your violin with our free violin tuning directions and sound files. The movement of a post can definitely change the sound. When repaired properly with a sound post patch, the instrument. For more information or to order daniel strings, violins, bows or accessories, please. If the string sounds lower than the correct pitch, gently turn the fine tuner or peg to the right until it reaches the correct pitch. Important checks of the violin bridge before you tune a violin.
Jun 14, 2011 when you and your violin maker are making soundpost adjustments, make sure it is tuned exactly as you are going to be playing it. How much does it cost to repair a broken soundpost in a. What is the current thinking on the devaluation of instruments that have been damaged by sound post cracks in the back, replaced heads, etc. Violin top crack repair fixing a short crack on a violin top. At least one new video is posted each and every day.
The violin was sealed but unvarnished, tuned to a440 and fitted with a 42 g chinrest. Repairing an instrument with a sound post crack triangle strings. This tool is specifically designed moving and setting a sound post. The sound post of a violin is a small dowelshaped piece of wood usually spruce that is positioned inside the violin with the tip touching just below the right foot of the bridge.
Before you tune a violin, the most important thing to check and correct is the position and orientation of the violin bridge. Ive made 100 violas, yet not one sound post crack at least not to date. While the cost of a violin repair may vary depending on the severity of damage, the luthiers particular costs, or the age of the instrument, this list of common price ranges for student and intermediate violin repairs should give you a general idea of a how much you can. Find out information about violin sound post adjustment. A minutely higher tuning is sometimes employed for solo playing to give the instrument a brighter sound. How to set a sound post, install, installation, soundpost. Instrument repairs t he sound post has a repair and restoration team comprised of luthiers with specialized training at european violin making schools and considerable international experience. An a tuning fork, digital tuner, pitch pipe or a piano may be used to assist with tuning. Changing the tuning up or down will change the pressure on the top of the instrument and might necessitate a different adjustment. Good combination, helps measure length and the end angles of the sound post.