Acoustic Enhancer for Violin
different models for violin, viola, cello and double bass
Version for Acoustic Guitar ready now ...
- Featured 'Product of the Month' in The Strad April 2010
- Pay by Credit/Debit card. PayPal account not needed.
If you regularly play your violins the Acoustic Enhancer for Violin may not be of much interest, but otherwise it will help – especially with instruments young in the wood, of trade quality, or which have lain unused for a while. It does not age or mature the wood, but it does improve the acoustic response. I have noticed a marked increase in the harmonic content of the open strings. They are much more readily excited sympathetically by stopped notes.
Just as the human body or a car engine benefits from exercise, so does a stringed instrument.
The theory behind the Acoustic Enhancer for Violin Mk 1 is gentle vibration through the bridge for 72 hours or more, simulating the playing-in needed by a new or rested instrument.
Background
I first read about this vibration theory in A Treatise on the Structure and Preservation of the Violin by Jacob Augustus Otto 1848 (published by William Reeves, London) where he writes about having bought a well-used but very ordinary violin …
which, although every judge knew it to be a trade instrument, was not inferior in tone to an Italian one … This led me to imagine that constant vibration shakes the resinous particles out of the wood, whereby rendering it more porous and better adapted for producing a good tone, than it otherwise is.
The author refers back to the procedure detailed in his 1828 edition of the same book in which true perfect fifths are bowed for 15 minutes each, starting at the bass end with open G and open D. Then a silk cord is tied accurately in the half position as a barré so producing Ab and Eb. A and E follow and so on chromatically rising until all fifths in 1st position are covered.
Players' feedback ... "my violin is nothing to shout about, but the sound has opened up" "a 1/4 size violin sounds much bigger than it did.." "I have just played my Castagneri violin that has an inside patch under the bridge. Since I have I had it it has always had a deadened sound to it.. . The sound is now remarkable. It is as if the Castagneri's patch fell off. It is finally a joy to play." "I'm so pleased with your device. (It needs a name) My viola has opened up in its color and the response time has improved dramatically." Bought by players and workshops in Singapore, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, UK, US, France, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Spain, South Korea and Hungary. |
I have a prototype Mark 2 version which cycles round all these chromatic mean-tone fifths using PC software and soundcard driving a vibrating speaker fixed to the bridge of the instrument. However, this Mark 1 version is simpler and much cheaper. It relies on vibration of sine wave shape when correctly adjusted.
There are two connected units. The power unit plugs in to the mains (90-230v 50/60Hz) and produces a selectable and safe DC voltage of between 3 and 12 (<300mA). The other unit – the vibration head - attaches to the bridge of the violin, viola, cello or double bass with a standard rubber mute fixed to the base. The unit can be secured by a Velcro strap under the bridge and over the unit to prevent its “walking” off the bridge as it vibrates.
To allow the violin to vibrate as freely as possible, it’s best not left in its case. Attaching the shoulder rest and laying the violin on a hard surface is ideal. A cello or double bass can rest on its side without too much damping. The instrument should be strung, tuned and therefore under normal playing tension. Make sure the bridge is upright.
Operation
Attach the vibration head to the bridge with the connecting lead on the 4th string side. Secure with the Velcro strap under the bridge and over the head. Set the voltage by the slider on the front of the power unit to minimum and plug in to the mains. Increase the voltage until you feel vibration throughout the instrument. Settings 6 and 7.5 for violin and perhaps higher for cello and double bass seem good compromises between strength of vibration and quiet running. At higher settings the sound may become raucous and uneven. Back off until a steady hum is resumed. The settings will differ between instruments and even on the same instrument may change over a period of time. The unit is quite safe up to the maximum setting but is working most efficiently before it starts to sound lumpy. If you hear an unusual vibration check that the lead connecting the two units is not touching the body of the instrument. The holes in the top and base of the vibration head are for ventilation. Don’t poke anything into them!
Just as a car battery will discharge if not used, the violin will revert to its previous state unless it’s played or exercised occasionally by the Enhancer.If you have a number of instruments, the Enhancer could be used on them in rotation. Play the instrument after 3 days and again after 7 days and note any changes.
Ordering information
- Order by e-mail or post, specifying violin, viola, cello or double bass (different sized units for each instrument).
- Payment via
a) Credit/Debit card (see below). PayPal account NOT required. Prices include Air Mail outside UK.
b) PayPal to david@violinman.co.uk.
c) sterling cheque payable to David Andrews and posted to the address on the Contact page.
d) BACS transfer to Sort Code 07-01-16 Account 40552891 with your name as reference (otherwise I won't know where the money has come from!) - Outside UK you will need a mains adapter to convert the UK three pin power supply (90-230v 50/60Hz) to your system.
Feedback
I am always pleased to know how the unit performs. Reports so far have been very encouraging with much tonal improvement noted.
Please e-mail your findings, for example:
- What tonal changes have you noticed?
- Is it easy to use?
- How long did you use it for?
- If the instrument 'reverted', how long before it did so?
- Any improvements you can suggest.
| Pricing |
Within UK, including 1st Class post |
Outside UK, including Air Mail Small Packet from 3 days |
| Violin | £69.95 |
£77.95 |
| Viola | £69.95 |
£77.95 |
| Cello | £74.95 |
£82.95 |
| Double bass | £89.95 |
£97.95 |
| Mains adapter for EC (if ordered with VAE) |
£5.00 |
|
| Mains adapter for US (if ordered with VAE) |
£8.00 |