Last minute repairs....
A week or so ago, as I started preparation for a concert that uses the Viola d'amore, I had started to notice that thee was a bit of an unwelcome buzz and rattle coming from the instrument. Well, the humidity and temperature changes can cause a bit of havoc with the isntrument, plus it is now a few years old and the instrument is settling into it's long term shape!
Upon a bit of further inspection, I found that the neck/fingerboard had shifted angle which mean that the resonant strings under the fingerboard were now just touching the bottom of the fingerboard... causing a really annoying buzz! It's pretty interesting that it only just developed, but these things take time in the first decade or so of an instrument, plus the daily stress of about 35-40 kgs worth of string tension pulling at it constantly!
So, it was time to take it to the luthier for a quick repair before the concert!
I always hate seeing my instruments naked like this... the strings are taken off and the bridge is removed! At least this time, he didn't need to lever the entire front off! As a musician it is a little bit unsettling to see your instrument like this, but it is pretty normal for the luthier. He had a good laugh at my discomfort!
Given that there wasn't enough time to make a completely new bridge, the temporary solution was to make a new set of holes for the resonant strings in the bridge. Slightly lower, to avoid touching the bottom of the fingerboard.
All fixed, the drilling of the holes was incredibly quick. The restringing of a total of 14 strings was quite time consuming! Especially the 7 resonant ones, they are thin metallic ones and they poke you and get tangled... plus, they need to go inside under the fingerboard as well... a right pain!
It's a bit of a hack job, and doesn't look too nice... but it is functional and the instrument is in good playing condition again! When I have a chance, I will send the instrument back to get a new bridge measured up and fitted properly, the legs are also a touch out now and not quite standing as flush as they could be!
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It is so fun to finally start reaching the stabilized shape. I have a few kit instruments that I built in the last 2 years that I tune once a week and wait as they settle. It looks like a lovely instrument.
Nice! What sort of kit instruments do you build?
do you have a youtube channel
Not a really active one...
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_00HKl60QSNa1kUQCGF6Q
and
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgAbfgeWlMuy9kjjnDBgQOw
need relaxing, then need try to Classic music.
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Ah... yes, Classical music can be relaxing at times... but not always, sometimes it should be dramatic!
A very interesting post. I never thought about instrument repairs, since I have no musical ability. Good luck in your upcoming concert.
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No, I tend not to think too much about repairs either until the day that they are required! I do my best to look after my babies, but normal wear and tear is expected! It's like going to a doctor, you put it off until it is necessary!
Well, well......today I just learnt there is an alto clef and a new instrument to me! You're a star and I hope the concert goes well. May I ask what the music is please so I can listen and see if its on the list in Wikipedia......talking of which, are you listed there as a player?
Oh. Final question, what other instruments do you regularly perform with and which is your favourite and / or most proficient please?
Great post :-)
Alto is primarily for the Viola, the viola d'amore uses a great range of clefs depending on the music... including the Grand Staff! In my sort of music, I play from original scores generally... there are many many many clef types...
As for recordings of the piece "Rittrato dell'amore" by Couperin, there aren't any YouTube recordings that would whole heartedly recommend. This one (from a playlist that has the whole 8 or so movements) is the best that I could find, but I find it too ponderous...
I normally play in the Historical Style (also known as Early Music) on Violin, Viola and Viola d'amore. I'm decently proficient on all of them (well, at least people don't throw hard things at me when I play...), touring around the world with various groups and ensembles... I don't think I'm listed on Wikipedia!
Gosh the violin is so Nice I wouldnt know how to do that myself
Nope... I have no idea for these larger scale repairs either! I can do normal maintenance, but for the real stuff, the babies go to the luthier!
Do we have Those in the netherlands
Luthiers! Oh yes... it isn't so common these days... but people who make and repair instruments are everywhere!
I knows have a cello reparairist here on the steemisfere
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