www.manfio.com
If you have an opportunity to take it to another luthier or two, I'd recommend it. The problem could be the instrument itself? Or maybe the person you are going to isn't able to figure out the root of the problem, so a new set of eyes might be useful. I'm not an expert, but I have not needed the sound post adjusted in almost 2 years, and the only reason it needed it then was because I had to slam on the brakes in my car in traffic and the case went flying and hit the back seat very hard.
I don't normally take it in for maintenance unless it needs repair (such as the time I accidentally got rubbing alcohol on the varnish and called my luthier in hysterics thinking I had destroyed it forever).
I second Manfio's suggestion. If your violin isn't an expensive one, get (upgrade to) another violin that doesn't have such problem presented. Life is indeed too short!By the way, your situation probably clearly demonstrated a violin that has imbalanced response through out the register, some violin will have dead spot(s) as well as some notes sticking out like sore thumb.
I can understand moving the soundpost might do something, but shorten it? Time to visit another doctor...
From David Beck
Posted on April 4, 2012 at 01:58 PM
When all else fails, at least try to look busy. That was my philosophy in a really boring job and I suspect your luthier has the same idea.
Change the violin and the luthier !
I don't think it's a bad idea to have an instrument inspected a couple of times per year, if you have a luthier you trust. Often, they can catch small problems before they turn into big and expensive problems.I'll agree that what your luthier does with the soundpost sounds highly questionable, at least the way you've described it. When a soundpost is moved to a different position though, sometimes it's necessary to reshape the ends so they will fit well in the new position.
If the instrument sounds well the way it is, then I don´t understand why the soundpost would need to be adjusted so often. If several well respected luthiers can´t make the instrument sound better, maybe it´s time to move on to a different instrument. I do think having an instrument looked at from time to time is wise, even if there is no obvious problem. Open seams, incipient cracks, etc. can often be spotted by a sharp-eyed luthier even if the player has not noticed anything amiss.
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