52 replies to this topic

[richardz]

This came across on my Facebook from The Exhibition of Modern Violinmakers. Built by Mr. Marty Kasprzyk



Photo link

[vclatl]

But does it play in tune???

[lyndon]

obviously designed by picasso......

[Don Noon]

But does it play in tune???

I tried a few of his violas, and none of them play in tune.
Come to think of it, any viola or violin I've ever tried doesn't play in tune, either, including Strads and Guarneris.
Maybe I need one of these:

[robertdo]

A very radical design indeed! Like these ones !

[jezzupe]

Cool, I like it. even if it is a viola

[duane88]

I can see conductors adding a strap that goes around the back of the neck to encourage appropriate tempi and intonation...and, with the neck strap, no need for a shoulder rest!

[Walter O'Bannon]

Reminds me of the "Pellegrina" by David Rivinus. What's up with that tailpiece though?

[bmccarthy]

The tailpiece seems to be connected to a bar that's projecting out from under the fingerboard, possibly from the neck. The bar's probably carbon-fiber.

[Marty Kasprzyk]

But does it play in tune???

No, it didn't play in tune.

It has a bolted on neck so the string length can be easily adjusted from 355mm to 380mm in 5mm increments. At that time it was set up at 355mm and many players were missing their notes because the stop length was too long for that short a string length.

I have since increased the string length to 375mm and the finger/thumb placement seems more typical.

[Marty Kasprzyk]

The tailpiece seems to be connected to a bar that's projecting out from under the fingerboard, possibly from the neck. The bar's probably carbon-fiber.

Yes, it is a carbon fiber rod that connects the tailpiece to the fingerboard.

Some people don't like the way a tailpiece screws up their chin placement so I reversed its attachment point and got rid of the tail chord and end button. It doesn't have a bottom block either.

[robertdo]

Do you have sound clips? In any case it's quite a conceptual achievement. Congratulations Marty!

[Marty Kasprzyk]

Do you have sound clips? In any case it's quite a conceptual achievement. Congratulations Marty!

No, but I did get her card.

I was quite impressed how well it worked. Almost as good as walking a puppy in a park.

[richardz]

No, but I did get her card.

I was quite impressed how well it worked. Almost as good as walking a puppy in a park.

Ha ha....nice!
Yeah I'd like to hear it too. Will it be at the next show in NYC?

[Walter O'Bannon]

Do you make a special case to fit it in?

[bmccarthy]

I'd love to see a quartet.

[David Burgess]

Marty, that tailpiece is a mind-twister!

I've been thinking about loads on various parts, some of them possibly advantageous....

[poptart]

edit

[Marty Kasprzyk]

Do you make a special case to fit it in?

I should have followed the late Sam Compton's advice: "Never build an instrument that you can't buy a case for."

I made a case of polystyrene foam and covered it with duct tape. Young girl viola players like it because it goes with their duct tape prom dresses.

[Marty Kasprzyk]

Marty, that tailpiece is a mind-twister!

I've been thinking about loads on various parts, some of them possibly advantageous....

The tail piece is very high which gives a real shallow string angle over the bridge which in turn decreases the downward load on the top to about 1/3 of the normal load.

There's obviously no longitudinal compressive string load on the top. I'm trying to reduce stress and I exercise regularly.