Electric Strings Monthly
Ask Andy:
Fitting Octave Strings
Editorial:
Andy
Design&Production:
Andy
Administration:
Andy
Finance:
Little
Advertising:
This is it
Marketing:
Please tell someone
Correspondence:
20 Brewers Wharf, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24
1ET, U.K.
Telephone:
(44)(0)1636 677416
If you would like to contribute to this newsletter with details about new products, new music or just news, then please send me an email.
Although this newsletter is light-hearted in it's style
please note that the content is copyrighted and remains the property of Andy Holliman,
Achieve Instruments. No part of the contents may be reproduced, in print or electronically
(except for your own personal use) or stored in an information retrieval system or
workshop or bathroom without the prior permission of the author.
In Previous Ask Andys:
#1-Do I need a
Preamp?
#2-What wood is best?
#3-LR Baggs Para DI Box
#4-Strings fitting & Octave
#5-Bow Bugs
#6-Anti Virus Software
#7-All about Midi and Zeta
#8-Amplifiers
#9-Effect
Pedals
#10-Earths and Hums
It is my endeavour to be completely fair in the things that I write or tell you from these pages. If you feel that I have voiced anything that is inaccurate or unfair, please let me know. Lots of things to tell you so let's get on with it...
If you would like me to publish details about any of your equipment or products then please send me some information.
Web Site Changes
So how do you like
the new database? Is it better than lots of separate scrollable files, is it easier to
use, does it take too long to start up? Since I told you about it and asked for comments I
have had only one reply, and that said 'maintain both formats' !!. Unfortunately for that
person I have decided to maintain a single database of details. The other lists were
becoming too difficult to manage and errors between lists were creeping in too often. If
this bothers you, let me know and I may be able to publish a list of everyone in the
database for you to download perhaps.
New Pictures
This month I have
added new pictures from: Richard Barbera in New York, showing his electro
acoustic violin. I have also found some beautiful pictures of the basses made by Steve and
Jill Azola who have, I have been informed, been in the bass business
since the early 90's. Stuart Wyatt has received his 7 string from D&H
and has been performing at Misicora. The first photos of this 'beast' are shown in the
gallery.
I have also added the details and pictures from some 15 bass makers!!!! Thank you to all
the contributors.
New Links
I have added a link
to S.V.S. Tonewoods who are based in Slovakia and Idaho. They have an excellent selection
of wood, violin parts, fittings and tools and a beautiful catalogue (in the shape of a
violin body).
Links added to Azola and also to several missing makers. These were in my old lists but because they were not in my full list, did not get copied to the database.
I have added links to the following bass makers: A Basses, Alembic, Azola, Bass Culture, Bass Six, Brubaker, BSX, Buckdancers, Clain, CT Solutions, Fleishman, Hoyt, Lanini, Larkin and Read. (phew!)
The Electric Violin
Book
I may have found a
distributor for the Electric Violin book in the States. As soon as the deal is done I will
let you know. In the mean time if you wish to see a review of the book click here and if you would like to order a
copy, click here. No change here then!
New Music
I will use this
section to inform you of new music that I have been introduced to that features electric
violin. So if you have something to contribute to this column, please let me know the
details.
I heard from,
Mary Lou Newmark ( http://www.greenangelmusic.com/
) and
Stuart Wyatt (http://www.solostring.com/)
Alex Papadiamantis (http//www.geocities.com/almant2)
If any one wants Lisa Rollins' red Zeta Strados, please let me know: Click to Email me
Forum
For
some time I have been thinking about adding a user forum to my site. I often visit one of
the Newsgroups for violin players and see that some 30% of the discussions are concerned
with electric instruments. But these users are generally discussing problems with other
people who do not necessarily know either the correct answer or where to look for advice.
So it would seem a good idea if I provided this facility as players and manufacturers
visit my site, there is the opportunity to speak to a lot of experts and users from around
the world. I had started looking at suitable software when I got an e-mail from Stuart
Wyatt. Stuart has set up a forum on his site that fits both our needs. So, when you scan
down the Contents list on my site you will sea a FORUM list. This takes you directly to
Stuart's forum. His pages fit just fine within my frames. Stuart is the moderator of this
site, it is owned by Stuart and it's future is in Stuart's control. He has kindly allowed
me to include it within my site. So if you want to start a topic or review what is being
discussed, please go to the Forum and join in.
Then, just like waiting for busses, none come along for an hour then three come along altogether! I discovered more. So I have added a few more for you to browse through or contribute to. They are:
Zeta's
Online Users Forum - For existing Zeta users.
Stuart Wyatt's Solostrings - For electric fiddle players
Kyle Aaron's Fiddle Forum - For both electric and acoustic players
Mark O'Connor's Forum - For all sorts of fiddling styles
Fitting Octave Violin
Strings
This week I purchased my first set of Sensicore Octave violin strings made by
Super-Sensitive and fitted them to one of my violins. If you want to steal some of the
viola/'cello sounds on your violin they are superb. A wonderful deep sound. Here are some
notes to assist you if you intend to fit some to your violin.
First of all make sure you are fitting them to a good and sound violin. When
replacing stings it is a good time to check over your instrument. Put peg paste onto the
peg shanks, tidy up or tighten up the tailpiece tailon. Check for damage. Clean the
fingerboard and remove the rosin dust, mould and sweat from the instrument and from under
the fingerboard.
The string holes in your pegs may need to be enlarged to accept the larger
diameter strings. I found that a 1.7mm drill was required to enlarge the original holes.
The top nut will need to have the string grooves enlarged to accept the
thicker strings. The G string needs care as it is fairly large in diameter it will tend to
be higher off the nut. Lower the slot carefully so that the string is still above the
fingerboard. You will need a needle file to do this job.
The tailpiece adjuster claws may need to be opened up very slightly to accept
the thicker G and D strings.
When you start to tune up, keep checking that the bridge remains vertical and
also that it does not slip too much from side to side. When the strings are up to pitch
check again the position and angle of the bridge.
The open E string on the Octave set is the same note as the E made by the
first finger on the D string of your standard violin.
Finally, you will need perhaps a bit more rosin on your bow to get these
thicker strings to respond well at first.
If you are in any doubt about doing this job yourself, please contact your local
violin maker/repairer and discuss it with them.
These strings are available from SuperSensitive or one of their dealers.
I hope this has helped you.
Any suggestions for future discussions, Click to Email me
I am not sure if I have created a monster with this page! Will I be able to keep it up and create a full newsletter each and every month? Will you help me by sending in details of CD's, instruments, suggestions? We will have to see and you will have to come back again to check it out.
Bye for now,
Andy
Holliman
Achieve Instruments:
Chief Designer, Paint Sprayer, Varnish
Consultant, Marketing Manager, Receptionist, Secretary, Web Designer, Tea Boy and
Newsletter Editor.
See the new D&H 7-string electric violin (as
owned by Stuart Wyatt) and many new instruments in the Picture Gallery
The Boyd Tinsley Zeta Strados. (That headstock has turned a great instrument into a superb design - I love it!)
Links from around the World
The Electric Violin Book
The Only book on Electric Bowed Stringed Instruments in the World