Tight E string
O hai!
I'm wondering if anyone has an idea what the cause could be. My instrument (old, not so great) has little to no resonance on the top end. It's quite a trebly instrument across all four strings, so it's exceptionally noticeable that there's no sustain to the top notes when playing harmonics/artificial harmonics etc.
I'm guessing this might be partly because of the wood (two-piece back) but the E is very tight compared to the other strings. I've tried different string sets, different bridge heights and curves, but I still haven't figured out how to remedy it. If at all!
My £40 Skylark has better sustain (but is too boomy for general use).
Al advice appreciated.
Thanks,
Emma
Replies (9)
Thank you. Yes, there's a fine tuner on it at the moment, but I think it felt/sounded tight anyway. I'll experiment with the bridge.
An E string can feel tight if it is too high above the fingerboard. The hight at the nut could also be a factor beside the bridge. If you adjust the position of the bridge keep in mind that it has a relation to the sound post. The sound post must be in line with the middle of bridge foot and about 4.5 mm from the bridge to get optimum sound. If the sound post is positioned inwards towards the middle of the violin you will lose projection in the higher positions.
Emma if the violin keeps bothering you, take it to a luthier who will have a much clearer picture with the violin in hand.
Thanks, Andre :)
There's a guy in Wales who comes highly recommended and I've seen/heard his instruments; I was on his site this morning and he does repairs and set-ups, so I'll get a quote. There are some aesthetic jobs I want attending to, so I might as well get the lot done at once.
Good thing you don't have an overly tight G string. That can result in all sorts of undesirable issues unrelated to violin :-)
Haha :D
@Smiley ...but could help if you wanted to be a soprano....
The string has to be a certain tension to give you the note - as I understand it there is some flexibility in the choice of string with a low-guage string having a lower tension. However, I doubt that is the problem. I'm sorry to say that my guess is that the violin is doing all it can. Time to contact the rich relatives (I hope you have one) go and give them a musical evening - sing and then play the violin (hey, help get you out of the rut too ;) ) and then tell them the problem that the violin is holding you back from an orchestra career option.
No relatives? How about weekend busking. I'm serious, here we have top instrumentalists who busk at the local market and make decent money while in essence getting some practise. At least it would be a start...
Probably has nothing to do with a 2-piece back. There are too many reasons for a lack or resonance to speculate. It could be anything from bridge design to arching to wood selection to chinrest.
No rich relatives, unfortunately! I just need a new violin and a way to up my income to get it. I'll figure something out. Aw, poor Esther probably is doing the best she can, decidedly average instrument.
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June 29, 2011 at 04:22 AM ·
I would check the string length, and possibly look at the bridge position, the afterlength, and the location of the tailpiece. If the string is strung in a situation where it is shorter than it was designed for, the E would be the one that has the worst time of getting to the right frequency.
If you use a fine tuner, it could be costing part of the afterlength; try a hill style fine tuner?