DGV Posted December 17, 2014 Report Posted December 17, 2014 My first 5-string violin (basically a violin with a C string) doesn't seem all that bad but it isn't all that good either. I am hoping to get some feedback regarding the sound and ways to improve it. For comparison, I have included a sound clip from a 14-inch viola (it was converted from a Chinese no-label violin to a viola for my daughter. The instrument actually sounded better as a small viola than a violin.) The strings are violin Larsen E, vioiin Dominant A, D, G, and Infeld C for small violas. I think the C string side of the bridge is cut a tad too low. Plucking the C string with medium force leads to a buzz. Here are a couple of images. One for the 5-string and one for the small viola (which has no buzz). EDIT: See next post for the sound files. The original ones were incorrectly encoded.
DGV Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Posted December 17, 2014 Looks like the mp3s I previously uploaded weren't encoded properly. Here are the clips with much better sound quality. 5-string-better.MP3 14-inch-better.MP3 Bruch-better.mp3
ctanzio Posted December 17, 2014 Report Posted December 17, 2014 Just some random thoughts based on my experience... The plane in which a string has its major vibration is a strong function of the angle it makes over the bridge towards the tailpiece and the interaction of the bridge with the belly. There is a small vibration along a plane perpendicular to the major plane. So a violin string actually vibrates in an oval-like pattern. It is possible to adjust the bridge and tailpiece so the major plane of vibration is generally parallel to the fingerboard. Then it is possible to have the string set quite close to the fingerboard and not have it strike the board surface. One thing that can tilt the major vibration plane towards the fingerboard is a severe angling inward of the strings from the bridge to the tailpiece. To check this, place a ruler underneath the strings as they enter the bridge. Have it rest against the bridge and the E and C strings. Now read off the distance of each string from the center. Repeat this by placing the ruler under the strings where they meet the tail piece. Compare the string distance from the center of the tailpiece and the center of the bridge. I have found that a difference as small as 2mm can really tilt the major vibrational plane and cause it to buzz. Sometimes a string will vibrate freely without a problem but as you play up on the string in first position the issue can become more pronounced, sometimes also inducing enharmonic modes that make the sound become increasingly unfocused. One might think that by raising the bridge, the issue can be resolved. But this can cause the vibrational plane to tilt even more and cause an even more severe enharmonic spectrum when the string is fingered. A test you can perform with a cheap bridge is to cut its height so that the angle the C string makes as it goes over the bridge is no smaller than 158 degrees. Then cut the bridge notch so that the string's distance from the center is the same as its distance from the center of the tailpiece. If the issue clears up and the string can be fingered in first position and still yield a focused tone, then you might need to adjust the tailpiece so the strings do not angle inward so sharply.
Marty Kasprzyk Posted December 18, 2014 Report Posted December 18, 2014 Looks like the mp3s I previously uploaded weren't encoded properly. Here are the clips with much better sound quality. I thought they sounded pretty good. Was that you playing?
DGV Posted December 29, 2014 Author Report Posted December 29, 2014 Sounds pretty darned good to me! Thanks! The violin sound is opening up a bit after a week of playing. I am just waiting for some low tension strings to arrive before doing another sound test and final adjustments. (Mail service is slow during the holidays.) It is starting to look like that I won't have to regraduate the top plate.
DGV Posted January 11, 2015 Author Report Posted January 11, 2015 I quickly put together a comparison of different strings on my 5-string violin. The first has Thomastik Dominant D, G and Infeld C, medium tension. The second has Corelli Cantiga D, G, medium-light tension and Helicore C medium. Which one do you prefer and why? 150111_05.MP3 150111_07.MP3
DGV Posted January 11, 2015 Author Report Posted January 11, 2015 I am loving these Corelli Cantiga strings. Here is a recording using all 5 strings. Salut d'amour.mp3
Guest Posted January 11, 2015 Report Posted January 11, 2015 I quickly put together a comparison of different strings on my 5-string violin. The first has Thomastik Dominant D, G and Infeld C, medium tension. The second has Corelli Cantiga D, G, medium-light tension and Helicore C medium. Which one do you prefer and why? They both sound really good to me and your playing is very good and that 5 string sounds great. Congrats..
DGV Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Posted January 12, 2015 Thanks. I think I will stop tweaking this thing. I might just move the soundpost a little bit south. It looks like putting lighter strings improved the response. Sonically, the difference seem minimal though I prefer the rounder sound coming from the Corelli Cantigas. The Helicore C is less flabby and doesn't buzz when drawn real hard. I think I'll carve a thicker back next time I make another 5-string. I want to get that dG sound. This one sounds just a bit too smooth.
DGV Posted March 1, 2015 Author Report Posted March 1, 2015 Final coat of my honey violin now drying. Probably will finish it with a French polish unless something changes my mind.
uncle duke Posted March 1, 2015 Report Posted March 1, 2015 I quickly put together a comparison of different strings on my 5-string violin. The first has Thomastik Dominant D, G and Infeld C, medium tension. The second has Corelli Cantiga D, G, medium-light tension and Helicore C medium. Which one do you prefer and why? I listened to the 1st. I think the lower sounds at the end of your playing emulate a baritone sounding oboe or a bassoon. It could be really useful in the right hands.
DGV Posted March 14, 2015 Author Report Posted March 14, 2015 Honey violin complete. Set-up needs some final adjustments.
uncle duke Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 All of your playing sounds fine DGV. Why did a belly have to come off? Was it about the testing using audacity or similiar?
Carl Stross Posted March 27, 2015 Report Posted March 27, 2015 Honey violin complete. Set-up needs some final adjustments. Super, super, SUPER NICE !!!!
DGV Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Posted March 27, 2015 Pretty! Curious...why 4 fine tuners? Because I'm lazy.
DGV Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Posted March 27, 2015 Fair enough! Actually, the fine tuners were built into the tailpiece. Very handy for high tension strings or steel strings.
DGV Posted March 27, 2015 Author Report Posted March 27, 2015 All of your playing sounds fine DGV. Why did a belly have to come off? Was it about the testing using audacity or similiar? I didn't take off the belly of the 5-string. The honey violin needed regraduation since my son didn't like the sound (neither did I). It was too bright and a bit thin and nasal sounding. Taking off the top and lowering the bass bar a bit and a little bit of thinning the top improved the sound somewhat. But still not beefy enough. So I propped off the top a second time and introduced a slight crack! Anyway, I'm nursing the crack and did some more thinning. Hopefully, once everything is put back together, my son will like it. If the results are good, I might post some audio.
DGV Posted March 11, 2016 Author Report Posted March 11, 2016 After nearly 10 months (from initial design to final set up), my first viola is done! It's a 15.25" body with 370mm string length. I used a honey ground like my previous violin. Currently fitted with Karneol strings. A sound clip is attached. Comments and feedback welcome! Honey Viola 15_25-inch.mp3
jezzupe Posted March 13, 2016 Report Posted March 13, 2016 like the color, very even, any of the back?
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