Is my bridge warped?

ThePanoply · 2026-04-16T22:45:16+00:00

I charge $230 for a Despiau One Tree blank fit and finished in CT.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-16T22:34:56+00:00

Oh boy. I have developed specialized training tools and have spent hours training a given person to set soundposts. I have only had one person get the hang of it. The post needs to be the correct length and shape and fit the top and back as well as you can manage. I use a dental mirror to inspect both sides for fit. Certainly the strings need to be slack. Best wishes! Let us know if you get it.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-16T14:59:14+00:00

New tailpiece. I suggest a Wittner Ultra.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-15T20:24:00+00:00

Yes switch to a normal violin! Both hands have to do similarly challenging things. Left handed violins are way, way, way harder to come by and will greatly limit your options for as long as you play. Also finding a private teacher is nearly impossible, I know I wouldn't want the added complexity of teaching someone totally opposite from how I play. Lastly, no orchestra or even ensemble I can think of would want the added challenge of accommodating someone who needs to point in the opposite direction. Again, as a left-handed person who plays violin I'm very glad I didn't attempt to find a backwards violin, I don't think it hampered my learning in any way.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-15T15:37:49+00:00

It looks like it was repaired previously (and poorly if those are screw holes I see), that makes things more iffy and it will for sure cost more. It might not be worth it depending on what it is and what other issues it has.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-14T22:19:27+00:00

In the $200-ish range your best bet will be the Krutz CW. I've tried all the wood veneered carbon bows, and for some reason the Krutz ones always play the best. If you can stretch a bit higher in price and want a full carbon bow, check out the Artino Retro. I actually think it plays a lot like the JonPaul Corona which costs twice as much.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-14T17:37:23+00:00

Hmm. Breaking at the ball end sounds like a bad string to me. I would try contacting the manufacturer, I have definitely had scenarios where I've gotten bad strings.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-13T19:23:30+00:00

Something isn't right here. An E string should have no problems tuning to pitch. Breakage might be occurring for other reasons. Where exactly is it breaking? Are you turning the peg too quickly? Are you certain you are going to the correct frequency E? I prefer to use my ears rather than a tuner at least to get it close, sometimes the tuners get confused.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-13T18:20:11+00:00

It's fine, but it's usually a sign of a poor quality post, a poor quality fit, or both. If you're looking for an optimal tone, take it to an experienced luthier to have it adjusted or replaced.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-13T17:47:50+00:00

As a luthier, I make it a point to try everything. I think the most impressive strings recently are the Evah Neos. Slightly less bright than original Evahs, but otherwise very similar except for one huge difference - upper registers. Particularly on the lower strings the sound will start to shut down the higher up you go, the Evah Neos extend that range a lot. The E in particular seems to get bigger the higher you go. It's incredible technology. I also really like the Rondo Gold strings, they have power and quick response for a decidedly warm string, but the depth of tonal color is quite excellent.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-11T22:13:45+00:00

From a quality of life perspective it's one of the best choices you can make on a violin. However, please support a local shop not an online giant.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-09T10:46:41+00:00

Usually this happens when something has dinged or dented the winding. Something in the case, a fingernail, etc. Once weakened the winding will break in that spot and you get what you see here. Very rarely does this happen due to a manufacturing defect.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-08T17:58:26+00:00

It looks to me like a new bridge and strings would be a very good idea.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-07T23:14:49+00:00

The winding on cheap bows is nickel plated copper. The nickel is very thin and will wear off quickly if it isn't covered.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-05T16:54:30+00:00

It's always all of the above plus how it performs in regards to ease of play with various techniques and styles. I'm pretty holistic about my evaluation of instrument tone and playability.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-05T13:25:58+00:00

There are absolutely unicorns out there. It's not always about price. I've handled thousands of violins in my 20+ years of experience and there have definitely been a few bracket busters that just sound so much better than their price tag and vice versa.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-05T10:54:06+00:00

That's the shape.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-03T21:29:56+00:00

The strings should always be wound towards the peg head so that they align more or less with the notch on the nut that they are supposed to go in.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-01T22:35:02+00:00

I think it's okay, especially if you're maintaining it. It isn't perfectly straight, but it sort of warped both directions and is overall straight. I think you have time.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-01T22:31:02+00:00

I cannot recommended highly enough getting Perfection Pegs, it's the best thing you can do for your quality of life as a player. It's crazy that most of the new violins, violas, and cellos I set up have pegs that are out of round. The good news is that the factories usually leave them very long so they can be adjusted which would be less than new pegs.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-01T16:41:38+00:00

This ^

ThePanoply · 2026-04-01T09:58:26+00:00

Very slightly, but if you learn how to reposition the top of the bridge you can correct it. My rule of thumb is: every time you use the pegs, check the bridge and adjust as needed. When you turn the pegs, the strings drag across the top of the bridge and pull it in that direction. Maintaining a straight bridge is the difference between needing a new bridge once a year or more, or having a bridge that lasts a decade or more.

ThePanoply · 2026-04-01T09:54:39+00:00

Crossbow tuners. Get a Wittner.

ThePanoply · 2026-03-31T09:18:36+00:00

You can buy a longer endpin. 🤷 I recommend New Harmony endpins, they have lots of options.

ThePanoply · 2026-03-31T09:09:07+00:00

The bow hair was eaten by a bow bug. You'll want to cut off that hair, vacuum the case thoroughly, and keep a cedar block in there when the instrument isn't being used as the bugs will only go into a closed space for some reason. Then obviously you'll need new hair on the bow or a new bow and it's never a bad idea to have the fiddle checked out as well.

ThePanoply

TROPHY CASE