Tailpiece String Bar, tap tone adjustment Ideas....
(Modified 1/2022)
(Page V_84)
...This article is to serve as over riding earlier dated material on this subject:

...Here are two practical ideas on how to raise/ lower, the tap tone of the tailpiece string bar to the desired ideal frequency of (227 1/2) HZ.

#1: In this method, the strings are loosened and removed from their seats in the tailpiece and the tailpiece is gently removed. {Remember that the slightest bump can dislodge the sound post}. If the downward tap along the top side of the string contact wooden bar ('string bar') is higher than (227 1/2) HZ; gently file/scrape or sand tiny amounts from the top surface of the too-high section until it drops to exactly (227 1/2) HZ, evenly all across the strings bar.
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  If the tap surface in a given section is too low: Protect the top surface of the tailpiece with a piece of protective tape next to the string bar on the back side. Then with a file jewelers file, thin the back vertical side, tapering toward the front direction, until the vertical down tap tone is increased to the desired (227 1/2) HZ.
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  Refit the tailpiece, add strings, and tune back to pitch..
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  You will delightfully discover the instant response of the instrument and all strings!

#2: Perhaps the adjustment needed is only slight or in just a limited area of the string bar; In this case you may be able to gently file the top surface next to the problem string (equally on both sides) just enough to adjust to (227 1/2) HZ tap tone, downward on the string at the string bar contact.
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  If the tap tone is slightly too low in a limited area, you may be able to scrape/sand or file tiny amounts from the back or front face of the string bar, evenly on both sides of the string to raise the tap tone of that string to the desired (227 1/2) HZ pitch.

 

..Questions? call David at (503) 364-8685 PST in evening... or E-mail me at:
info@violinresearch.com
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