Anyone play Fiddle here?

[eastcoasteddie]

I have come into the possession of a pretty decent 4/4 Violin. It was given to me because I expressed just a little interest.
It was in a mechanical room of one of the buildings I service, sitting in the corner in its dilapidated case. I asked the chief building engineer if it was his, if he played. He said, “it’s been here for YEARS....take it.”
Typically, I have seen old, unused violins in antique shops that are in bad shape and missing parts - basically unplayable and meant to hang on a wall as a conversation piece or decoration.
This one is complete with two bridges, all 4 tuning pegs, chin rest, and string anchor.
It had three of four strings on it with the remnants of the fourth wrapped around the tuning peg.
It’s case was falling apart and full of cob webs and who knows what else. I didn’t take it.

I took it home, took it apart and gave it a good sanitizing followed by a good cleaning and oil on the fingerboard.
Inside, it has a label:
Copy of
Franz Joseph Pfretshner
prope Violino car Retpontent
Faciebat Anno 1700 in Cermona
Made in Germany BKN

The fingerboard is in good shape and straight

I did a bit of research on the label and found it to be a decent mass-produced violin. Nothing really worth much money. I have seen one in good shape and playable with case and everything needed for maintenance (rosin, cleaning towelette, etc) for [edited]$275.
German Made Franz Josef Pfretschner Copy 4/4 Violin Shop-Tested Set/up | Gordon LaSalle Music | Reverb
This one as-is is probably worth $50.

This dowel was rolling around inside the body, don’t know what it’s for or if it came from inside or just sort of found it’s way in...

could be a piece of body reinforcement that fell loose? There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of glue on either end...

I originally planned on just hanging it on the wall, but it is in such good shape that I think I’ll get it strung up and buy a student’s bow for it.
Since I also don’t know anything about Violins, I researched and found they are tuned EADG (I’m kind of used to that...), but every chart I found said they are tuned opposite of what I’m used to....E is the high string and G is the Low string.
Dang, that’s gonna be a bit weird....

I also worry my sausage-fingers are too fat for it, too...
I will hit up a Music & Arts store for a set of D’Addario strings and a bow - should cost a total of no more than $50.
Anyone dabble in Fiddle-playing? Any pointers or thoughts on my new Fiddle?

oh, the two bridges have different names. One is a Bausch and the other says Loren A. Brobst - I’m guessing from Brobst Violin Shop. They are local to me.
Home - Brobst Violin Shop

 

[Oddly]

Nice Find!

I've never tried one, although my wife teaches a little in school.
She keeps threatening to bring one home.

Hope you have fun with it!

 

[Roland GR 88]

Not a player but I’ve sold ‘em in the past.
The dowel inside is the bridge post. It needs to stand up tightly under the bridge. There are tools to set it and it’s a cheap job but if the top has sunk which is likely a new post will need to be carved.
The bridge sits one way. The rear is straight and the front has a slight angle. The label or stamp should face you. There might be two small grooves carved next to the f-holes which indicate where the feet of the bridge sit.
The pegs should fit tightly and just need a strong push and twist to seat them. You won’t break the headstock so push hard. With the fine tuners set halfway you should be able to keep it in tune just using these.
Get some new rosin. The new bow will need a lot to grab the strings. Keep applying it until the bow works. It might take a few minutes or more.
And lastly, good strings make a world of difference. Stringing up with a 25.00 set of Preludes was always frustrating but a 75.00 set of Thomastik Dominates would tune up and stay there even with me doing the job.
I’m sure any players here can offer more advice but good luck to you and your neighbours.

 

[fdeck]

Please: Don't string it up until the sound post is set. If there's any kind of decent luthier in your locale, they can set a soundpost in a jiffy. You can find someone by calling any local violin teacher -- they will know someone who repairs violins out of their home, and can take care of you.

 

[flannel cat]

No but i like to fiddle around when i play thats a sweet score, love the grains in the body.
i couldnt play one to save my life and it would sound like a cat fight if i did.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Agreed on her the soundpost set first. In fact, it may not be expensive to have the whole fiddle set up for you.

(Not a player, but have worked in bluegrass bands for a decade and my partner plays fiddle.)

The tuning in the photo is correct. The low string is a G, and it's tuned in 5ths like a mandolin (and other violin family instruments save the double bass).

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I won’t take it to the Violin shop I posted the link to...they have instruments that cost $20k on average.
And check this out...!!! 7-string Double Bass!!!
Karl Höfner Workshop, Bubenreuth 1968, Louis Saverino custom 7-string model - Brobst Violin Shop

I checked the Music & Arts site and they charge like $25 for setting the sound post and setup. I might wind up spending about $100 on setup, strings, and a student bow. I might even buy a case for it...

Thanks for all the replies!!!

 

[DJ Bebop]

I have come into the possession of a pretty decent 4/4 Violin. It was given to me because I expressed just a little interest.
It was in a mechanical room of one of the buildings I service, sitting in the corner in its dilapidated case. I asked the chief building engineer if it was his, if he played. He said, “it’s been here for YEARS....take it.”
Typically, I have seen old, unused violins in antique shops that are in bad shape and missing parts - basically unplayable and meant to hang on a wall as a conversation piece or decoration.
This one is complete with two bridges, all 4 tuning pegs, chin rest, and string anchor.
It had three of four strings on it with the remnants of the fourth wrapped around the tuning peg.
It’s case was falling apart and full of cob webs and who knows what else. I didn’t take it.
View attachment 4054333
View attachment 4054334

I took it home, took it apart and gave it a good sanitizing followed by a good cleaning and oil on the fingerboard.
Inside, it has a label:
Copy of
Franz Joseph Pfretshner
prope Violino car Retpontent
Faciebat Anno 1700 in Cermona
Made in Germany BKN
View attachment 4054350
View attachment 4054351

The fingerboard is in good shape and straight
View attachment 4054354
I did a bit of research on the label and found it to be a decent mass-produced violin. Nothing really worth much money. I have seen one in good shape and playable with case and everything needed for maintenance (rosin, cleaning towelette, etc) for [edited]$275.
German Made Franz Josef Pfretschner Copy 4/4 Violin Shop-Tested Set/up | Gordon LaSalle Music | Reverb
This one as-is is probably worth $50.

This dowel was rolling around inside the body, don’t know what it’s for or if it came from inside or just sort of found it’s way in...
View attachment 4054356
could be a piece of body reinforcement that fell loose? There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of glue on either end...

I originally planned on just hanging it on the wall, but it is in such good shape that I think I’ll get it strung up and buy a student’s bow for it.
Since I also don’t know anything about Violins, I researched and found they are tuned EADG (I’m kind of used to that...), but every chart I found said they are tuned opposite of what I’m used to....E is the high string and G is the Low string.
Dang, that’s gonna be a bit weird....
View attachment 4054364
I also worry my sausage-fingers are too fat for it, too...
I will hit up a Music & Arts store for a set of D’Addario strings and a bow - should cost a total of no more than $50.
Anyone dabble in Fiddle-playing? Any pointers or thoughts on my new Fiddle?

oh, the two bridges have different names. One is a Bausch and the other says Loren A. Brobst - I’m guessing from Brobst Violin Shop. They are local to me.
Home - Brobst Violin Shop

Soundpost, the dowel that was rollin' around in there
The third instrument I started on was the violin. First piano, the second harmonica.
Oh ya, then there was that bass thing

I think you have a good starter to learn on. It looks better than the one I stared on.

As others have said, take it in, get a setup. Get to gettin' your fiddle game together

That fifth thing is goofy at first but, it will reveal its sensibleness over time.

 

[C Stone]

"I have come into the possession of a pretty decent 4/4 Violin."

Roland GR 88 is right about the dowel it goes under the bridge for support for the string down pressure, you may be able to get it in there, maybe not, it is necessary though it just kinda wedges in place, double basses have two I believe, one under each footprint where the bridge feet make contact with the body top...
Good luck!
Man that is a great score and a great looking instrument, congratulations!
Here is a pic of mine and a shot of the dowel inside...BTW only one dowel in mine... Here ya go...

 

[s van order]

The Maestronet.com “The Pegbox” forum is a good place to ask violin/fiddle mechanical questions.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I am always impressed with people who are good at working with their hands. A talent I've never had, except when to comes to using said hands to play musical instruments. I'm the kind of person who should never be allowed near anything more complicated than a phillips-head screwdriver. Also: The violin was my first instrument. I was 8 years old. The violin did not make it to my ninth birthday. I was really terrible at it!

 

[Ruknrole]

Nice, sounds like you had Christmas in November.
Like many have said, you’ll need a setup. You will also need a bow, a shoulder rest, rosin, and strings. I would also recommend a practice mute.
Have fun!

 

[micguy]

The soundpost goes under the side of the bridge with the E string (which is the high string on a violin). That leaves the other end of the bridge (there is a ridge/brace under that side on teh back of the top for some support) more freedom to move - the lower notes need that freedom to get decently even tone out of the thing. Where the soundpost is in a violin is a critical thing - in the right spot, the thing will sound much better than if it's not i teh right place.

If the soundpost is in your hand, or in the case (not in the violin), then a crushed top is a distinct posibility if you string it up. When you chage strings on a violin, you do it one at a time, so you don't lose tension on the top - you do that so the soundpost doesn't fall out of place.

Conclusion: you need professional help if you want to string it up and play it. And by the way, good strings for a violin aren't cheap.

 

[fdeck]

Hopefully... the most likely explanation for the loose soundpost is that it fell when the strings came off, someone fished it out and left it in the case. A side view shot of the body will probably reveal whether the top has sunken.

They may have felt that leaving it unstrung was better for long term storage, which it isn't.

Soundposts fall because they're supposed to be put in with the absolute bare minimum of force, not wedged in hard, and the string pressure holds them in. So, if you un-string a fiddle, the soundpost might fall. Or if the instrument is flexed while the strings are off -- pulling the scroll forward is enough to drop a correctly installed soundpost. Been there, when I un-strung my cello to perform a repair. Now a cello is easier, I was able to grab the post and reach in with a great big pair of forceps. And it's not a superb cello.

Now the most important thing once you get it back on its feet... the bow. I personally feel that a cheap bow will cheapen the violin and make the whole rig not worth owning. I've bought two Eastman Cadenza carbon bows and have been quite happy with them. One became my son's spare when he needed one, then I turned around and bought another. That's for cello, but it was after a relative who is a very good violinist told me about his Cadenza violin bows.

And after the bow, then you have to deal with the cats that are living in the violin. When all of the cats are gone, then you're ready to play out.

 

[Wasnex]

Since the sound post fell, it may not be sized properly for the instrument. The sound post may be fine, but require constant pressure from the strings. I.E. the post will fall if tension is taken off all strings

Also as others have said, proper placement of the soundpost is critical and requires tools, skill, and experience to do it properly. If you are going to spend a couple $100 to get the instrument playable, I suggest paying an expert to assess the sound post and either set it properly, or cut a new one if needed.

If you don't have the sound post done right, your just wasting money on the strings, rosin, and bow. If the face of the instrument has incurred structural damage due to a fallen sound post, its going to be an expensive repair. So, I would want to confirm the instrument is structurally sound before I started buying strings, rosin, bow, case, etc.

 

[superiorpine]

The violin market (go figure) is now flooded with Chinese manufactured instruments of varying quality. German violins are predictably quality instruments, whether or not they can bring large $$. In addition to the violin, you will need to pay some attention to the bow. They can also fetch large $$, and require the right horsehair and set up to make a violin come to life.

Definitely worth getting some professional help. These are not as forgiving as a solid body bass guitar! (I don't play fiddle, however a close family member does, and is a violin craft person who specializes in bows, works in in Northern DC.)

 

[BBQisgood]

I have come into the possession of a pretty decent 4/4 Violin. It was given to me because I expressed just a little interest.
It was in a mechanical room of one of the buildings I service, sitting in the corner in its dilapidated case. I asked the chief building engineer if it was his, if he played. He said, “it’s been here for YEARS....take it.”
Typically, I have seen old, unused violins in antique shops that are in bad shape and missing parts - basically unplayable and meant to hang on a wall as a conversation piece or decoration.
This one is complete with two bridges, all 4 tuning pegs, chin rest, and string anchor.
It had three of four strings on it with the remnants of the fourth wrapped around the tuning peg.
It’s case was falling apart and full of cob webs and who knows what else. I didn’t take it.
View attachment 4054333
View attachment 4054334

I took it home, took it apart and gave it a good sanitizing followed by a good cleaning and oil on the fingerboard.
Inside, it has a label:
Copy of
Franz Joseph Pfretshner
prope Violino car Retpontent
Faciebat Anno 1700 in Cermona
Made in Germany BKN
View attachment 4054350
View attachment 4054351

The fingerboard is in good shape and straight
View attachment 4054354
I did a bit of research on the label and found it to be a decent mass-produced violin. Nothing really worth much money. I have seen one in good shape and playable with case and everything needed for maintenance (rosin, cleaning towelette, etc) for [edited]$275.
German Made Franz Josef Pfretschner Copy 4/4 Violin Shop-Tested Set/up | Gordon LaSalle Music | Reverb
This one as-is is probably worth $50.

This dowel was rolling around inside the body, don’t know what it’s for or if it came from inside or just sort of found it’s way in...
View attachment 4054356
could be a piece of body reinforcement that fell loose? There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of glue on either end...

I originally planned on just hanging it on the wall, but it is in such good shape that I think I’ll get it strung up and buy a student’s bow for it.
Since I also don’t know anything about Violins, I researched and found they are tuned EADG (I’m kind of used to that...), but every chart I found said they are tuned opposite of what I’m used to....E is the high string and G is the Low string.
Dang, that’s gonna be a bit weird....
View attachment 4054364
I also worry my sausage-fingers are too fat for it, too...
I will hit up a Music & Arts store for a set of D’Addario strings and a bow - should cost a total of no more than $50.
Anyone dabble in Fiddle-playing? Any pointers or thoughts on my new Fiddle?

oh, the two bridges have different names. One is a Bausch and the other says Loren A. Brobst - I’m guessing from Brobst Violin Shop. They are local to me.
Home - Brobst Violin Shop

I play the fiddle. feel free to pm me if you have more in-depth questions. This is a factory-made violin of the beginner/student variety. The dowel is the sound post. It will fall out of place when there is no tension on the strings.

I recommend you spend just a little cash and get it serviced. You won’t be able to place the soundpost effectively and if you string it up improperly/without the post, it will be ruined.

Strings plus service will equal the value of the violin.

 

[BBQisgood]

Since the sound post fell, it may not be sized properly for the instrument.

Unlikely based simply on displacement. If you loosen the strings, they will move or pop out of place.

 

[Wasnex]

Unlikely based simply on displacement. If you loosen the strings, they will move or pop out of place.

Agreed...however I have seen people remove and replace strings without the sound post moving or falling. Perhaps, they were lucky.

I have also had a sound post fall on an upright bass for no apparent reason, with all strings tuned to pitch. A new sound post was cut.

 

[BBQisgood]

Agreed...however I have seen people remove and replace strings without the sound post moving or falling. Perhaps, they were lucky.

I have also had a sound post fall on an upright bass for no apparent reason, with all strings tuned to pitch. A new sound post was cut.

I have had to reset it on one of my violins more than once. I don’t think that I’ve ever really gotten it right. The danger with getting one set up is that you can wind up paying someone to do it who knows even less than I do!!

The other problem is that storing it without proper tension does it no favors. Temperature and humidity changes can change the shape of the top. Commonly these student models aren’t set up properly anyhow.

Violins are fickle. And sensitive.

I once saw someone drop their violin on its button and every single piece that wasn’t glued on shot off of it. Literally. The tailpiece. The chin rest. All four pegs went shooting out perpendicular to the pegbox. Later on it was fine.

I just wish someone could tell me how the pegs shot out. You’d think the strings would have kept them in.