barnesviolins

Eric did fantastic job!

No one mention though how beautiful was an old peg. Is it known were was it made?

Eric said it was some English Bloke. Didn't give an age though. Any Guess Eric?

Dorian

One set is going on an existing violin. A Testore copy. The other two sets are going on future instruments.
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I see why he hates doing tailpieces. I thought a baroque tailpiec would be easy.
Yeah.......Right..........
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That one took me all morning to make. And it is nowhere near the quality of Eric's.

Dorian

I appreciate all of your feedback.  This definately went more legal than I am going to be involved with.

Some misinformation I gave......  It was the hurricane Allison, not Ike.  So that puts it back 9 years.  The restoration was done then, and the maker stood behind the work and redid some things to try to get back the sound the customer remembered it having. The money she got from the insurance was a settlement for the issue that they didn't up the coverage amount on it when she sent them the higher appraisal I think..........  That is why the IRS see's it as a capital gain.

Bottom line is I don't have all the facts, and don't even think I want them.  I am not getting involved with keeping from Caesar what is Caesars.  She is using a CPA and and Attorney.  My part in this was that she asked me if there was anyway to justify continued maintenance on this as it has yet to be what she remembered it to be and is still sinking money into it to get it there.

With that said, I reported to her that I don't know how to say there is any more maintenance for this instrument than any old instrument would require.  Then again, if I was in a car accident and injured my neck, there may be things that come up later, head aches, nerve damage, that were not seen in the beginning and an insurance company would continue covering costs of injuries related to the original accident.  And that the best person to give that type of documentation would be the original "Doctor".  So..........  

The instrument was delivered this morning and she is happier with it.   I am happy not to get myself into any legal issue around it.  For me, it did pose an interesting question around "continued care" so to speak and was wondering who else may have had a similar experience.

Thanks for all the thoughtful input.
Dorian

Had somebody good play my violin #1 in-the-white today and his response was that there was a marked imbalance between the D and A which were responsive and strong and the G and E which were less responsive and weak.  What sort of a flaw in arching, graduation, setup, etc. would likely lead to this sort of a comment and what, if anything, could I do before varnishing to improve the situation?

thanks,

Todd

Todd -
This may sound quirky, but I was introduced to it at a VSA lecture on setup in 98 and have been using this "trick" ever since. With much success.

If the a and d are weaker, squeeze the tailcord together.  If necessary, use thread to tie it together just to try it.  The theory is that this puts more tension down the center of the tailpiece ad increases the volume and possibly the response on those strings.  Conversely, you can separate them to bring more tension to the outer 2 strings.  The evidence in this change is that the middle 2 strings will be slightly flat in pitch and require tuning up.  Thus as you tune them up again you are increasing the tension.  Most noticeably, the e will go sharp.

I have had much success in using this little trick to balance strings.  I've even adjusted them independently to bring out just the g or just the e. The lecturer worked for Nego and recommended that it was acceptable to put a groove in the saddle to hold the tailcord where you want it.

Also, check the spacing of the string holes on the tailpiece.  I have seen some tailpieces that have holes too close together and pull the outer strings in putting an unbalanced amount of tension on the outer and inner strings.

Good luck!
Dorian

Quite the story Edi.  

I would say it's all good.  You are investing in good Karma, so it'll come back at you later.  And YOU didn't break the mirror, so no worries about the next seven years.       I think the top will be fine.  I always look at that kind of thing as natural antiquing!      If it's still there in the final product, then tell people it jumped in front of a crashing mirror to protect your hands and put "hero" on the label!

Sorry about the caliper.  Those aren't cheap!

Dorian