tapping belly 2 sml

A website for the serious amateur violin maker, restorer and tinkerer.  A violin front and back (the plates) can be tuned using tap-tones. So, using tap tones, adjust the front and back plates of a violin to get the best sound, the kind of sound you want, and make an instrument that can be easy to bow.

This site has something for you if you are either making a violin or you want to improve a low cost violin or viola.

By tuning the top & back plates you can get a good instrument that responds well to the bow and that can sound like a £1500 instrument.

inside mould
Inside of back of J Lavello

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 Last updated on the   17th Jan ‘08

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BuiltWithNOF

You will need :-

Some courage,

The right tools, and time.

If your working on plates of a new fiddle your making, or you have one completely in pieces you’re lucky! The weights and tap tones will be there ready for the asking.

I takes me about 10 hrs. per violin to take off the front and fingerboard, modify ** the front and back to appropriate tap-tones and put the fiddle back together for a ‘factory fiddle’. On top of this is any time for any repairs like a sound-post patch and varnish touch-up: but be warned. This is without having to take the back off the bouts (sides) and glue them back on. Removing the back can cause a great deal of damage ........., but I have found ways of measuring (deriving) the weight of the back, and also the Modes 2 and 5 frequencies of the free plate while it is still in the bouts with the neck in place.  Get in touch with me if you want to know more.

Use a shortened table knife to remove the front and fingerboard, but do be careful: I’ve managed to cut myself (my left hand) quite badly doing this. Always cut away from your other hand, as the knife can suddenly move as the joint gives way.

 ** This is by using the thumb plane(s) on the inside of back and front plates, leaving the varnish intact. Obviously you cannot alter the arching at all with this method.

 

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