This is the fiddle. I guess the G&B name was for the coffin case maker and has nothing to do with the fiddle manufacturer. Its 22+1/2 " long and the only thing I can find is the chinrest was made in Germany. Im sure I can raise the hair on the cats with it. 
Im waiting for Jakes e-mail but I’ll ask here, do fiddle strings come with 2 ball ends for the G and D string and loop ends for the A and E strings in a set? As you may be aware I don’t have a clue about a fiddle.
The Fiddle Thread
5 Likes
That’s a nice looking fiddle you’ve got there! I my fiddle also has Aubert written on the bridge and says made in Germany. I’m curious about who made the fiddle, if not Aubert.
3 Likes
Does your bridge tilt like this one or is there something wrong with mine? I looked up Aubert and it appears it could be the fiddle or just the bridge. I can’t get a sound out of this one till I get my rosin thru the general store (at least I hope I can get a sound out of it after I rosin up that bow)
…or maybe its best left alone!
3 Likes
The bridge is warped.
It may play, but intonation will probably be off and it might break in time under pressure.
The maker of the fiddle is usually written inside on the back and can be seen (with flashlight) through one of the f holes (normally on the bass side)
3 Likes
My bridge is pretty straight, sounds like @Fiddle_wood knows what’s wrong with yours. I’m hardly a fiddle player, and I don’t know much about them.
3 Likes
I can’t find a label inside. I will check for a new bridge thru the general store. I couldn’t find the rosin in the general store but Jake has it so maybe I luck out with him finding a bridge. Do the fiddle strings in a set come with ball ends on the G and A strings and loop ends on the A and E strings(fine tuners)? Thanks for all the info you all have provided!
3 Likes
@dd1
Normally sets of strings come one way or the other in my experience. You may be able to custom order a set that way if you wanted to though,but you may end up with different brands.
You can fit a ball end string into a fine tuner. It’s actually better that way because a lot of tuners have kind of sharp edges that will break the loop. with a ball end you insert the string into the little slot in the top of the tuners with the ball behind the tuner post.
I’ll try to share a picture as soon as I can charge the battery on my camera.
When you buy a bridge it is a one size fits nothing “bridge blank”…it needs to be fitted to the top of the fiddle, rounded to correct arch, set for height, and possibly thinned or “tuned” for tone. It’s best to take it to a good luthier (preferably one who specialises in or builds fiddles/violins) and have them pick a good bridge (there are many different qualities) and fit it for you.
Also inside the fiddle, on the treble side, you should be able to see the sound post. It should be near/under the treble side foot of the bridge. It is a very important part of the fiddle that needs to fit correctly and when you get a bridge made you should have that “set” also. (it’s usually part of a normal set-up of the instrument.)
6 Likes
Definitely an interesting looking fiddle!
4 Likes
Thanks for the info Dave. I understand what you are saying for the strings going thru the fine tuners. I will order ball ends. I saw the dowel under there and appreciate the info on why it is there. For now I will be an animal and turn the bridge the other way and see if nature takes its course. I’m sure if the squealing changes tone I’ll know somethings moving.
4 Likes
every bridge I’ve seen warps the direction yours is in the picture. If it were me I’d leave it that way. (they do have a front and backand shouldn’t be turned around)
4 Likes
Well, I have decided on a new fiddle instructor. Took two online workshops with him and one lesson so far. I also belong to his Patreon site.
Going to take an hour lesson every couple weeks for now. He’s also been teaching me some swing guitar progressions & chords.
7 Likes
Good luck @Fiddle_wood and I’m excited for ya.
Man, he did great on that 2014 Fiddle Master Championship… but I really liked the bluesy licks he did on Sally Goodin’.
This Panhandle Rag Western Swing was AWESOME! the “Duet” fiddlin’ he did with himself was spot on… Not only in intonation but the accents and let-offs were perfectly synchronized.
It is one thing to synch the notes… but the finesse of all those inflections and dynamic touches - wow.
Come to think of it, that stylistic part of his playing is a huge reason why I enjoy the Purple Hulls so much… it is a sensibility to phrasing and complete treatment of the coordination throughout phrases that stands out to me that @BanjoBen’s sisters possess.
Lol - I just saw a quick thing Justin discussed for a “lick of the week” where to talked about an unusual down-up kickoff (versus the down-down typically used) to make it softer for this particular song -Heart Over Mine.
Anyway, at the end, he calls out this nuance… but then at the end he says, "… Really subtle thing like that… but little things make big differences.
I honestly think this is what transforms good players into great, master-class players.
He seems like a very personable guy too!
3 Likes
He really is very down to earth. Just got off the phone with him (setting time for next lesson) and it’s like talking to someone i’ve known for a long time.
Funny you should mention Heart Over Mind …my favorite new intro! I never thought I’d get it up to speed with the quick little triplets in it, but finally managed it and it come fairly easy now. Yes! Those “little things” can really help in understanding how a certain sound is gotten. He’s good at sharing many of those as “options” used by certain players.
Right now I’m working on three song tunes and have my plate full
three breaks for Heavy Traffic Ahead, (two learned)
Kenny Baker’s Washington county ala Justin
Wild Side of Life (leads, backup, turn-arounds)
2 Likes
I am not going all “fiddlin’-geek” on you as I know NOTHING ‘bout fiddlin’ but I really did enjoy his explanation of the intro… So much that I will go back to hear the original.
Two other observations…
-
As admittedly, I am NOT a fiddler, I can say when he showed the contrast for a kickoff with two accented downstrokes… some George Strait tunes came to mind immediately… and that made me really notice just how much I like that fiddlin’ to start a song.
-
Further, the way he intentionally followed the original fiddler’s technique (I forgot his name), I really liked how it achieved the softer lead-in… as more fitting for that beautiful intro!
Again, Master-Class that Justin tipped his (virtual) hat to the Original Fiddler (showing humble respect) but explained the technique…
That attention to detail, in-depth insight and humble approach is exactly the same things I notice in @BanjoBen.
I enjoy and notice how when @BanjoBen has an artist and he asks for explanations where the artist doesn’t even notice what they did.
THAT is what makes a great teacher!
4 Likes
Having taken your advise on not turning the bridge around, I decided to soak it and clamp it straight with a jorgenson. It turned out great and is back on the fiddle with string tension and standing straight. I’m hoping to get some opinions on what strings to get from the general store. Thanks!
3 Likes
Good deal!
Strings really differ on different fiddles, and it can be quite costly to experiment a lot.
I’d start with a fairly inexpensive set unless you’re already a fiddler.
3 Likes
Here’s a new tune I wrote called Admiral Splintterbutt’s
Hope you like it
9 Likes
Another original, this one is called Nabrut
10 Likes
As always, liked the music!
5 Likes