Fingerboard Geometry Poll

[Davide Sora]

5 hours ago, carl stross said:

Well, if you can connect for them a certain shape to the execution of a specific passage then they'll be aware. By themselves, I doubt they have much interest in geometry - that's for the expert adjuster to sort out. Practically every element in this survey can go one way or the other depending on the habits and physical characteristics of the player. I don't see how one could optimize a fingerboard unless for a specific player. 

 

I agree, that's why is sometimes useful to foresee the possibility of modifying in one way or the opposite rather than forcing in one direction.

[Don Noon]

On 12/21/2017 at 5:23 AM, Don Noon said:

...(re: my fingerboard geometry)...  It seems to prevent buzzing, even with low string height and near-zero scoop.

On 12/21/2017 at 11:03 AM, David Burgess said:

That sounds really good, except when it doesn't. Heavy bow excitation will excite string excursions in all planes. A desire for clean pizzicato makes it even more of a challenge to come to a safe place.

I had set up my most recent violin as a fiddle, for my own playing with steel strings:  zero scoop, minimum nut height, strings at 3.5(G) and 2.75(E) mm height (under string).  I put some PI strings on for Annelle Gregory to try it out, here.  I specifically asked if she found any problem with bottoming out or buzzing on the low strings, and she said no, and that the high positions were easier to play with the noticeably lower action.  She did, however, mention that pizzawithavacados could be more difficult.

[Mike Spencer]

That's wicked low Don even for fiddling, at least in my neck of the woods. May I ask what your string clearances are on the fiddle that Annelle has been playing?

[Don Noon]

4 hours ago, Mike Spencer said:

That's wicked low Don even for fiddling, at least in my neck of the woods. May I ask what your string clearances are on the fiddle that Annelle has been playing?

My first fiddle is set up wicked low:  2.0 G and 1.0 E.  Sure is easy on the left hand, but a bit buzzy.  That is too low, and I don't play it unless I feel very lazy.

I don't know exactly what's on Annelle's; something like 4.5-4.75 on G and 3.5-3.75 on E.

[Mike Spencer]

Thanks for sharing that Don. That seems  relatively low for a classical set up but hey if it works then great. I do know that my classical clients have liked set ups that I've done in that range too.

How about any other folks?

[Christopher Jacoby]

Fantastic!

http://fixitwithshading.com/2017/12/26/fingerboard-geometry-part-1-survey-dimensions/

[Carl Stross]

18 hours ago, Davide Sora said:

 

I agree, that's why is sometimes useful to foresee the possibility of modifying in one way or the opposite rather than forcing in one direction.

How old the end user is, matters. Young people tend to have thin fingers. Thick fingers are problematic - touching adjacent strings, not enough space in chords, not pushing the string down all the way etc. But then, thick fingers are a large component of "good tone". Just can't win it.

[AtlVcl]

4 hours ago, carl stross said:

...thick fingers are a large component of "good tone".

How right you are, Carl. In my next life, I want L. Harrell's hands!

[MJ Kwan]

Here’s part 2 of this project. 

https://fixitwithshading.com/2018/01/13/fingerboard-geometry-part-2-scoop-vs-radius/

Enjoy!

[Nick Allen]

So I have a question...

Shouldn't this subtle scoop along the length really only have some kind of noticeable effect on super low string heights?

Also, what would the change in the angle of the FB be in relation to the stopped string at a given point, both with and without scoop? 

[chungviolins]

4 hours ago, Nick Allen said:

So I have a question...

Shouldn't this subtle scoop along the length really only have some kind of noticeable effect on super low string heights?

Also, what would the change in the angle of the FB be in relation to the stopped string at a given point, both with and without scoop? 

You have to adjust the amount scoop depending on the string height : usually for low string  height, you need bigger scoop but only upto a certain number, you fon't want too high.

FB radius has nothing to do with string heights or scoops, it is for the string clearance and comfortability of the player. 42 mm is accepted as norm for the br radius.

 

KYC

[David Burgess]

22 hours ago, chungviolins said:

FB radius has nothing to do with string heights or scoops, ...

It does, as MJ has illustrated.

[chungviolins]

39 minutes ago, David Burgess said:

It does, as MJ has illustrated.

Of course, this is about relationship btw radius and scoops.

What I meant was : if you want to have a low ( or high) string height at the end of FB, you can regardless of FB's radius or scoop.

I should have said better.

 

KYC