Alma

I am always astonished at the strong objections people raise to playing with a reversed set-up! Why is this such an emotional issue to so many people? I am left-handed and I play three left-handed violins; one was built left-handed for me. David Burgess is right! I can't tell the difference in sound between the violin that was built left-handed and the two I reversed. Many people have posted that you can't play in any orchestra if you play left-handed. While this may have been true in the past, it is not true these days; European orchestras do have left-handed violinists. When I attended college in the 1960's, violinist Rudolf Kolisch of the Pro Arte Quartet at U of Wisconsin played left-handed (due to an injury, he had to! Edit: Guess who taught him to do that? Otakar Sevcik). I would urge people to relax their objections about this issue, as the logic of the body will tell the player which method of playing is best; most players today have not made a voluntary choice, but the choice is there. For the OP, I recommend reversing string and bridge on a violin you like instead of buying one of the bargain basement left-handed violins on the market. Fortunately, we leftys don't have to look for a left-handed bow. Peace! P.S. I play cello the normal way. Go figure...

Whaddya mean "whodunnit" ? Mr. Watanabe rebushed my Stainer model in the 80's. SO glad to have found him. I did not recognize Westwood Strings name.

I use a Digitech JamMan.

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As an amateur, I have no qualifications whatsoever, but to me the mortise looks quite awkwardly done...

MANFIO: I should add that Eric Swanson told me that if Jeff Dixon did not pay the maker for an instrument he (Jeff) sold, the buyer/owner does not have legal title to the instrument. That means you still have legal title to the instruments Jeff sold but did not pay you for. Note: I am not a lawyer; I am just repeating what Eric told me. Please continue to check it out.

Manfio: The last I heard about Dixon-Stein's bankruptcy was from Eric Swanson, who has a shop in the same location, the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago. Eric may be up-to date on the proceedings. Another shop that may have more information is William Harris Lee in the same location; Jeff Dixon worked there before opening his own shop.

Did you mean, "And made a number of violins based on that theory."

I like Stringy's suggestion. There really is no reason you can't learn to play both guitar and violin; that would be the best way for you to decide which one you want to stick with. I have played both (violin won). Best of luck to you!

10,000! All friendly posts that don't leave one wondering, steaming, or p----g. Congratulations Rue! I enjoy you too!!!

So TRUE! Everything Rue said above.

My suggestion is that you try adding some height to your chinrest, no more than 1/2" will be needed, and see if the instrument still fits in the case. You will need to lower your shoulder rest, of course, to get the full benefits of relief to your left arm/shoulder as well as to your head/neck. Hilary Hahn's YouTube explains that getting the chin/shoulder rests adjusted correctly to one's physique can take a lot of time and experimentation. Generally the shoulder rest goes down or is abandoned, but the chinrest may go up, down or sidewise. You are persistent, and will keep at it, I'm sure. Good luck!

My BAM case developed problems with foam rubber pads inside: they started to crumble and stick to my instrument, what a mess! The company sent me some small velvet-covered pads to replace the foam, but the small replacement pads were nowhere near the size and/or shape of the foam pieces that had deteriorated, so I have decided the only solution is to get a new case. I am also looking for brand recommendations, but I pretty much am leaning to Accord, as I have an Accord case which has suffered no problems whatsoever with age.

If you have a long neck, you need a higher chin rest. Raising your shoulder rest is counterproductive, because it forces your left arm into an unnecessarily higher position--playing on the G string will be more difficult, let alone in high positions on G. There are higher chin rests available from some makers on line. There is also a shapeable rubber pad called the Impressionist that goes between your chin and your chinrest. It's time-consuming to work out the right combo for your individual needs. Remember the two great teachers, Trial and Error. Best of luck! * * * * * Kudos to George H for his diplomacy.