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Best Way to Raise the Fingerboard Projection

Instruments: I am looking for advice on the best way to raise the fingerboard projection - wedge the fingerboard or shim the neck.

From John Wiley
Posted May 29, 2012 at 03:42 AM

The fingerboard projection on my violin (determined by running a straight edge down the fingerboard and measuring down to the top at which point it intersects the bridge) is low (25 mm), and I am having my Luthier raise it to 27 mm. Here is my question - is it more desirable to change the angle of the fingerboard with a wedge, or to "reset" the neck by loosening the upper half of the front, placing a shim between the base of the neck and the front, then re-gluing. The latter is obviously more invasive, but seems to me to be the better way to go. Any expert advice?

From Marc Butterlin
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 07:34 AM
John, in broad terms the neck resetting method will usually depend on the quality and value of an instrument. The best thing to do when it can be afforded is a complete neck reset, which involves removing the neck from the body altogether and resetting it in the instrument after adding a new piece of wood in the cavity. If that's OTT considering the instrument in question, the next best thing is to loosen the neck stock from the top block and insert a wedge in the opening to increase the neck angle. It requires removing the fingerboard, and is a delicate procedure as the increase tilt will put pressure on the button and can risk breaking it. The last thing, which is commonly done on cheaper instruments, is as you say to wedge the fingerboard to heighten the projection. That's pretty straighforward, except for the colouring of the new wood and varnish retouching to blend in with the old wood.

Lastly, it is sometimes possible - in cases where the projection is only slightly off - to correct the neck angle by just shooting the fingerboard, or fitting a new one.

From Scott Cole
Posted on May 29, 2012 at 07:40 AM
John,
The real question here is what you hope to gain, or if it is possible.
Recently, I was told that my violin had the same problem: the projection was too low. I had the neck reset, which wasn't cheap. Did it help? No.
Scott
From Lyle Reedy
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 02:09 AM
Fingerboard projection alone is not a useful measurement. The string angle over the bridge is what counts. That is affected by neck overstand at the body, saddle height and arching height in addition to neck angle. I recently fitted a very low bridge on a fiddle with very high arching and still got the proper string angle. If I had raised the fingerboard projection the tone would have suffered.
From Nicolas Temino
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 08:38 AM
Lyle has nailed it. Check for a 158 degress agle at the bridge. Last year I had an old italian to have a new bridge carved. The string projection at the bridge was 25mm, but the angle was OK and the sound, once fitted a lower bridge with a lower heart, was wonderful, both in tone and in volume and projection.
From Lyndon Taylor
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 09:45 AM
the most likely situation is that your fingerboard has thinned down with age(from resurfacing) and needs a new 5mm at the edge fingerboard, if the level is still slightly low a very slight wedge of .5mm or less only(for the replacement fingerboard, 5mm at the nut 5.5mm at the heel) would solve the problem, a lot of top professionals refuse to consider the NY lift idea because it puts unneeded stress on the instrument
From Rocky Milankov
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 06:47 PM
I have the same problem with my 2 year old violin.
FB to bridge projection has been @ 25mm from day one. There are 2 factors to consider here:
1. the ergonomics - affecting your posture and health; do you have enough room to clear the c bout while bowing on e-string, or have to raise your wrist (elbow and shoulder)?
can you easily play in high positions up to the end of fingerboard?
2. sound quality; do you like it?

If ergonomics is not an issue and you like the sound, do not correct the angle. It is still within the standards.
If you still want the neck angle corrected, please keep in mind that the bridge height (among other characteristics of bridge design) affects the sound. With "correct" 27mm projection, you will most likely have to get a taller bridge, to allow for standard string clearance. That will result in more vertical pressure on violin's belly, although the overall tension (the product of vertical and horizontal forces) will not change. I have read a few discussions on www.maestrolink.com and most people recommend to try out a temporary taller bridge (with the estimated correct height, "as if" projection were correct). You will, of course have a wrong clearance (too much distance between the fb and strings) and not be able to play in high positions, but will get an idea of sound.
Some violins can stand more vertical pressure, some choke. You can't tell unless you test it.
p.s. also get other setup parameters, such as your current string angle and clearance checked.
Good luck!

Frank Almond

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