Thank you Simon. Excellent advice as usual.
I'd like to second Simon's number 2 and 3 as very useful diagnostic
guides that will go a long way to helping you figure out problems. I
would just add that for your melody strings you need to do this check
over the entire range as the melody strings are much more forgiving
on the lower notes than the higher notes.
I would also agree with Simon that you want more rosin and less
pressure. It makes playing so much nicer and you get a better sound
out of the instrument. Sometimes players compensate for underusing
rosin (and therefore having a weak sound) by not shimming enough, and
then they end up with the upper notes useless.
-Arle
On Mar 10, 2007, at 7:29 PM, Simon Wascher wrote:
Hello,
as a thumb rule for the pressure/rosin problem my advice is:
1. The maximum deflection (is this the right word?) of the string
from the wheel to the bridge should about one string diameter.
2. When the wheel is turned very slowly, it should neither slip
through the wheel nor make a scratching noise.
3. If the wheel slips, there is too less rosin and/or pressure. If
there is a scratching noise there is too much rosin and/or pressure.
To check the balance between rosin and pressure, see if all strings
behave the same. if some are slipping and some are scratching the
pressure is not balanced. If all slip or scratch its the amount of
rosin that needs to be changed.
Find a personal balance between rosin and pressure. I prefere more
rosin and lesser pressure.
This all is limited to instruments with a true wheel with a clear
shimmering surface. Make sure to remove all rosin from the edges of
the rim.
Simon
