steveg

old italian spelling meaning "made in" or "built in"

Yes, the block pins. There are not common on modern violins for a reason that will become clear when the answer to the trivia question is answered. steve g.

This question is also educational.....In that it will enable you to recognize violin's which are bad copies even faster. Why are there alignment pins in the top and bottom blocks on GOOD QUALITY old instruments ? steve g. [This message has been edited by steveg (edited 12-31-1999).]

what does "IHS" stand for ? It is frequently found in Italian violin's. No,,,,it does not mean "In His Service".. good luck. steve g.

do not touch the crack as your finger oils will get into the seam and make it difficult to repair. get it fixed asap. The breast area where the crack is, is one of the most sensitive area for sound production. Playing the instrument will damage the violin further, as the vibrations will begin pulling the grain apart. this does require removal of the top in order to do the job properly. steve g.

they are $18.00 a set at www.juststrings.com steve

finger board wear is typicaly indicated by pronounced groves wearing into the board. Dyed fingerboards are a hardwood venere over a soft wood core, and do not do well when planed down, plus they have to dyed again. You should change the FB for an ebony or solid rose wood board. have the luthier check the neck projection angle, as it is possible that the old german fiddle you have is pulling it's neck off. steve

Mozart - Requim Mozart - Clarinet concerto in E minor, played on traditonal instruments. Bethovan - Il Pathetique Elton John - Funeral for a Freind Bethovan - 9th symphonie Chic Corea - My Spanish Heart Chuck Mangione - Legend of the One Eyed Sailor.

1. buy yourself a good quality tuning fork, "A" at 440hz. 2. Thump the fork on a firm surface like wood or linolium, but not metal or ceramic (too hard). 3. Press the end of the fork against the heel of the neck, and the whole violin will begin sounding "A". 4. use your pitch pipe to tune the other strings, but make sure that all are in tune with the fork. 5. Practice tuning your A string, and then warp the other slightly flat and sharp. Strum 2 strings at a time with your thumb so that you get used to hearing the chord, G+D, D+A, A+E, and the overtones assosciated with it.. The more often you strum strings which are in tune, the faster you will train you ears to hear the disonant tones when you are out of tune. steve g.

Hi, some will recognize me from the old board, but this is a good idea. I am a journeyman luthier 39 years old. I say journeyman because I do not have any apprentices, therefore I can not be a Master. I work from my home-shop near Lake Tahoe, Nevada. My specialties are repairing the unrepairable, and converting / retrofitting modern violins back to Baroque. I quit the mainstream job scene 10 years ago to concentrate on wood working. It doesn't make as much money, but I am happier than I have ever been. Peace steve g. p.s. I miss Al........