Violin Forum/Message Board

MANFIO

Hi! I made a baroque viola and the bare gut A string squeaks in some notes. A friend, who is a baroque soloist (plays with La Petite Band) told me that it is up to the player to cope with that.... The strings are LA FOLIA, from France. Any suggestions? Thanks!
_________________
www.manfio.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/

ctviolin

MANFIO · Posted: Tue May 28, 2013 8:07 pm Post subject:

I will check that, but it squeaks only with the gut strings, with modern strings no problem. Thanks!
_________________
www.manfio.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/

ctviolin · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 2:11 am Post subject:

Andres Sender · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 3:21 am Post subject:

Modern baroque players often use lower tension due to a sort of tradition which has developed. But there are some players/luthiers who are following recently developed arguments by using the same overall tensions as modern (although distributed equally across the strings instead of unequally as in modern strings).

If this was a violin, I'd mention that I've seen Michael D. point to post fit as the culprit on another forum. Violas, though... there's probably a viola bug caught under the string at the bridge. Razz

_________________
You can only connect the dots that you have.

MANFIO · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:35 am Post subject:

Thanks for the input!!! Yes, the instrument was designed to have about the same overall tension of a modern viola (no squeaking A string with a modern string).
I am going to work with it again today. Thanks!
_________________
www.manfio.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/

Cliff Green · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 9:22 am Post subject:

Andres
I have enjoyed your postings on various forums for many years. They have always been succinct, erudite and diplomatic. I was therefore surprised when you took a shot at violas. Perhaps I misjudged; if so, would you please describe a viola bug.

Cliff Laughing

MANFIO · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 9:46 am Post subject:

Viola bugs are hard to find and difficult to kill... they can be found under the soundpost too.
_________________
www.manfio.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/

Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 11:57 am Post subject:

ctviolin · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 12:43 pm Post subject:

Chet Bishop · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 2:26 pm Post subject:

Naw...Cliff got the joke. See the smiley after his signature?

As long as everyone sees it as fun it all stays good.

People can unexpectedly develop a grudge, though. I just wanted to make sure whoever is watching (gotta remember all them dern lurkers) understands that there was no ill intent.

THE main reason I left "The Other Forum" was because of the bitter rancor that developed there. I finally was so sick of it that I simply walked away. It no longer was worth trying to maintain a friendly presence there. So many people were so primed for a fight, on so many subjects that it was not profitable to keep filtering for the "gold nuggets", though they are unquestionably still there.
_________________
Chet Bishop
https://bluefiddles.com
https://fivestringfiddles.com

Cliff Green · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 2:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks Manfio

I'm sure they are hard to find. I was thinking more of identifying characteristics such as size, color, metamorphic phases, general morphology, etc. if they can make a viola A string squeak, just imagine what would happen if a violin was infested. I have a viola on the bench that's going into isolation until this is resolved.

Cliff

MANFIO · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 8:18 pm Post subject:

Try to forget the viola bugs and make one with a generous dynamic range and a powerfull C string, it will sell quickly.

Well, I was not able to solve the squeaking A string, the more obvious solution would be trying a different A bare gut string, from other manufacturer, other tensions, etc., but I have none here now...

Thanks!
_________________
www.manfio.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875988@N02/with/464604020/

Andres Sender · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 1:00 am Post subject:

Cliff-- no one has ever examined a viola bug and lived to tell about it as far as I know. The only clue we have is the early viola bridge seen in this drawing, which some take to be a representation of a viola bug face:

Thanks to Cliff and Chet for the kind words!
_________________
You can only connect the dots that you have.

Cliff Green · Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 6:35 am Post subject:

Now that's what I was looking for. And thank you for seeing my comment as humor rather than an attack. You are those things I wrote with a sense of humor.

Cliff