FiddleFix Contents
List of Photos and Illustrations ----------------------------------------------------------- 8
Preface ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9
Introduction--Burt Porter
---------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Chapter 1
Luthiers--Why and When? --------------------------------------------------
13
Chapter 2
So, Mr. Luthier, What's it Going to Cost?
----------------------------------- 14
Chapter 3
But I Can't Find a Local Luthier (Or, I Found One
But I Think He's Too Quick with the Jackknife and Epoxy)------------------15
Chapter 4 Viddle/Fiolin
------------------------------------------------------------------16
Chapter 5 How
Good a Fiddle Do You Need? -------------------------------------------17
Bows -------------------------------------------------------------------------
17
Chapter 6 Omigawd,
I Own a Genuine Stradivarius!!! ------------------------------------18
Telling Fibs ---------------------------------------------------------------------18
Fiddling in Court --------------------------------------------------------------19
Chapter 7 Fiddle
Checking ---------------------------------------------------------------
20
I Got a Fiddle at a Yard Sale For Less Than They
Wanted For a Toaster Oven -------------------------------------------------20
Happy Fiddle Checking --------------------------------------------------------21
Scroll ------------------------------------------------------21
Peg box ---------------------------------------------------21
Pegs ------------------------------------------------------22
Geared
Machine Pegs -----------------------------22
Other
Types of Pegs ------------------------------23
Nut ------------------------------------------------------23
Fingerboard/neck ----------------------------------------23
Fingerboard
Too Low ----------------------------23
Planing
Fingerboard -------------------------------24
Replace Fingerboard ---------------------------------24
Fingerboard
Alignment ----------------------------24
Glue
Loose Fingerboard --------------------------24
Bridge ----------------------------------------------------25
Bridge
Straightness -------------------------------25
If
the Bridge is Tipped ----------------------------25
If
the Bridge is not Severely Warped---------------26
String
Grooves -----------------------------------26
Other
Groove Wear ------------------------------26
Bridge
Too High or Low--------------------------27
The
Tale of the Too High Bass Bridge------------27
Loose
or Warped Neck -------------------------27
Low
Bridge -------------------------------------27
Bridge
Foot Placement --------------------------28
Playing
String Length ----------------------------28
Relationship
of Sound Post to Bridge-------------28
Installing
Sound Post ---------------------------28
Fingerboard/Bridge
Alignment -------------------29
Bridges
with Self Adjusting Feet-----------------29
Tailpiece------------------------------------------------30
A
Word About Fine Tuners---------------------31
Tailpiece
Nut ----------------------------------31
Saddle -------------------------------------------------31
End button----------------------------------------------32
Violin top ----------------------------------------------32
Common Problems ------------------------------------33
Cracks
----------------------------------------33
Corners
and Edges ----------------------------33
Top
Sinking ------------------------------------33
Chapter 8
Wood stories -------------------------------------------------------------35
Chapter 9 Fiddle
Fussin' -------------------------------------------------------------36
Peg Lubrication -----------------------------------------------36
Nut Groove Lubrication ---------------------------------------36
Chapter 10 Stringing
Along With Strings ---------------------------------------------37
Choice of Strings ---------------------------------------------37
Cost of Strings -----------------------------------------------37
Compare Steel to Synthetic ----------------------------------37
Tuning -------------------------------------------------------37
Ease of Playing ----------------------------------------------38
Tone --------------------------------------------------------38
Our Recommendations for Strings ---------------------------38
Choosing an E String ----------------------------------------39
String Care --------------------------------------------------39
How Do You Know When to Change Your Strings----------39
How to Change Strings -------------------------------------40
Bridge Tipping ----------------------------------------------40
Tail Piece Selection ------------------------------------------41
Chapter 11 Fiddlestuff
--------------------------------------------------------------42
Some Thoughts on Temperature and Humidity
----------------42
Case Humidifiers ---------------------------------------------42
Chapter 12 Instrument
Cases -------------------------------------------------------43
Case Design --------------------------------------------------43
Case Closures ------------------------------------------------43
Case Fit ------------------------------------------------------43
Shoulder Straps ----------------------------------------------44
Chapter 13 Accessories
for Your Fiddle --------------------------------------------45
Rosin --------------------------------------------------------45
Mutes -------------------------------------------------------45
Shoulder Rests ----------------------------------------------45
Electronic Pickups ------------------------------------------46
Tuning Forks ------------------------------------------------46
Electronic Tuners --------------------------------------------46
Chapter 14 Violin
Bows ------------------------------------------------------------47
Early Bows ---------------------------------------------------47
Expense
-------------------------------------------------------47
Match Bow to Fiddle ----------------------------------------47
What to Look For in a Bow ---------------------------------48
Straight Bow Stick ----------------------------------48
Noodle Stick? ---------------------------------------48
Horse Hair ------------------------------------------48
Finish ------------------------------------------------48
Winding ---------------------------------------------48
Ivory Tip --------------------------------------------49
Frog -------------------------------------------------49
Button or Nut ----------------------------------------50
Bow Stick -------------------------------------------50
Camber ----------------------------------------------50
Overall Impressions ----------------------------------51
Bow Care -------------------------------------------52
Rosin Damage ---------------------------------------52
Broken Hairs ----------------------------------------52
Other Uses for the Bow -----------------------------53
Chapter 15
Fiddle Fables ---------------------------------------------------------54
Rattlesnake Rattles ------------------------------------------54
Violin Varnish -----------------------------------------------54
Not All Fables Harmless ----------------------------------
-54
Hanging Your Fiddle on the Wall ---------------------------54
Humidity ---------------------------------------------------54
Rosin Caked on the Instrument -----------------------------55