Translator
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Violin Strings Nearness to the Fingerboard?
My violin has a great tone and I love it. But, the strings are really far away from the fingerboard. I’ve never played an instrument with strings that far away from the fingerboard. So, sometimes I cannot get acceptable vibrato out of my fourth finger because it’s so hard to keep the string down. I was wondering if the string’s proximity to the fingerboard will affect the tone. I want to get the strings lowered [or whatever they do] but I don’t want to do it if it’ll change the sound at all.
…help?
Tags: Strings, Fingerboard, Violin
The action on the strings isn’t going to have an effect on the tone of the instrument. That comes from the body and the resonance, not the height of the strings.
You can definitely go into a luthier and have them shave down the bridge to ease the action and bring the strings closer to the fingerboard. I don’t think it’s even that expensive, and it does make things a lot easier.
Go ahead and have a new bridge made. The sound will not be changed for the worse.
Lower the strings. have it done by a violin repair man. The cost should not be extremely high, but ask, so your not surprised.
They will either reshape the bridge or put on a new one that they custom fit.
Don’t try to do it your self, until you know exactly what you are doing.
A good violin kept in good repair makes playing easier.
The bridge is probably too high; you need to take it to a luthier and have the bridge refitted.
If the strings are too far away from the fingerboard, maybe you should go to the shop you bought it from and get the bridge lowered. If you say that you can’t even get a fourth finger vibrato on this violin, you need to get this fixed, NOW. It’s hard enough playing in position, and the action (distance between string/ fingerboard) makes it nearly impossible.
If you’re renting it, it’s best to get it exchanged with another.
No, i don’t think it will make the tone different at all.