End button popping out about 1.3mm

February 22, 2013 at 06:30 PM · Help! I currently live in the tropics since half a year and the end button is popping out about 1.3mm. It was not like that 4 months ago back in Germany. I did not notice it until I attached a Bois d'Harmonie Pernambuco tailpiece with the tailcord. I tried pushing the end button, but it does not move. What could possibly cause this? This is my main instrument. There is no Luthier nearby. I don't have a choice but to see one no matter how far he is. With the price I paid for my instrument I would not want to risk anything by fixing it myself. I'd literally go crazy if Something happens to it. I learned my lesson the hard way experimenting with a polish made by Liebenzeller, "Aureol", and it damaged the varnishes of the violins I applied it on. I asked the opinions of professional Luthiers after the damage was already done :(. I followed exactly the directions on their website. After that, I don't polish my instruments anymore, except wipe off rosin dust from the surface.

I'm posting this, because I'd like to know whether it's alright to continue playing on this violin, or should I wait until it's fixed by a Luthier? I'm using Rosewood for the pags chinrest and end button. The tailpiece is Pernambuco. The average temperature in my area is 27 to 32 degrees celcius during day time and a bit lower at night time. I use this violin exclusively in an airconditioned environment when I'm in hot climates.

Do you think Ebony would be more appropriate to use as fittings or it would not make any difference? Ebony, I've heard and read is less sensitive to climate change? I travel often to different continents. I recently ordered fittings from Otto Tempel & Bogaro and Clemente to change several of my violins' fittings. There is nothing wrong with the original fittings, except Î don't like how they look. Unfortunately I only ordered Pernambuco and rosewood since they are more aesthetically pleasing to me. My Luthier told me to get ebony, but it's the wood I like the least. I would appreciate your advice on this.

Replies (3)

Shawn Boucke

February 22, 2013 at 06:53 PM · The wood might have changed from the weather. It could be that the A/C is drying out the wood as well. I would get it looked at ASAP. There is a chance that it would not hurt the instrument, but you do not want any pressure in odd places on the violin. Ebony wouldn't be a bad Idea, but rosewood is still quite strong.

Lyle Reedy

February 23, 2013 at 12:26 AM · Try loosening the strings and THEN pushing on the end button. It is probably a little loose and slipped out when you changed the tailpiece. If it is actually still tight, that should not be far enough out to cause damage.

Eric Meyer

February 23, 2013 at 03:09 AM · Please take a photo. You did have the endpin fit to the hole by a luthier-so that the two tapers were the same,didn't you?

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End button popping out about 1.3mm

Replies (3)

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