Boxwood? Rosewood? Ebony?
Well, I've always been curious about the fittings on violins. I happen to find Boxwood very attractive. But, what does it do for the instrument itself, like the sound? What are your favorites and why? Which fittings can you just NOT stand? I'm really not sure which one I should go with.
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Replies (6)
Rosewood is the softest wood for fittings, so pegs slide easier, from what I've heard, anyway.
Actually, boxwood is the softest of the three, followed by rosewood, and then ebony is the hardest. The softer the wood, the less durable the peg. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, though, as you'd rather the peg be wearing out than the holes in the pegbox!
Most people seem to think that rosewood, or any wood with that sort of density and hardness, is the ideal wood for pegs and other fittings. I myself have just bought some crabwood fittings, which look like boxwood but are as hard as rosewood.
Hope this has helped!
I have tried all 3. There is no difference in sound. The only differences I have found are hardness and weight. It might be true that boxwood places less stress on the peg box, but eventually all woods will wear out, The weight differences are so slight that there is no difference in playability. I concluded the issue is esthetics. I prefer ebony, as it seems to be easiest to keep clean and bacteria free, but this is likely a personal perception only. Also, I like the esthetics of my violin with ebony. So, take your pick!
There is no difference in the sound. Boxwood has a tendancy to get grimeier than the others if you don't use a hankerchief. I use my favorite, rosewood. The pegs do slide easier, for me anyway, and I think it looks the prettiest.
Hope this helped!
I don't think the wood selection of fittings has much to do with a violin's output. The wood is a matter of preference. I like the looks of rosewood and Tetul.
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July 8, 2005 at 06:55 AM · Boxwood, I believe, is less dense that Ebony. At least on guitars, which I know better (funny enough) in terms of instruments, ebony is chosen for a very focused, if not more trebly sound.
In terms of fittings I do not see if it will make a terribly big difference. I'll let someone more educated chime in.