Phonograph Violin Project (Stroh Violin) - FINISHED

[Mr Grumpy]

That is simply Brilliant Curt! It looks absolutely fantastic!

Is the reproducer linked to the base of the bridge?
and is the bridge mounted firmly to the instrument or
are there dampers of some sort required?

Did you sculpt the chin rest yourself???

[Phonolair]

Nice job Curt, I like it. I have never heard one of these before, should be interesting.

Best Regards, Larry

OH now, come come. You HAVE heard one, many times on any acoustic record that has violin recorded on it...except some violin solo records, where the violin could be right up at the recording horn.

Well then, I guess I have heard one and didn't know it. I'm not a big record guy and didn't realize they sound like, or replaced a violin for recording. The video really helped clear things up for me, thanks for the great information.

Best Regards, Larry

[Curt A]

That is simply Brilliant Curt! It looks absolutely fantastic!

Is the reproducer linked to the base of the bridge?
and is the bridge mounted firmly to the instrument or
are there dampers of some sort required?

Did you sculpt the chin rest yourself???

The reproducer is linked directly to the bridge by way of a steel brad that is connected to the bridge and fits in the needle chuck. I cut the "legs" off of the bridge and mounted the upper part of the bridge to a brass bar... it is fastened with glue and two brads to the wooden bridge. The bridge "floats" and is able to rotate side to side on a steel axle suspended between the two brass supports (made from small brass hinges). There is space between the bridge and supports so that the sound in not dampened by the supports, so the only contact with the bridge is the axle and the pin going into the reproducer. Right now, with no strings attached, if you run your finger over the top of the bridge, it makes the same sound as when you run your finger over the needle chuck on a reproducer... you can hear the noise of your finger movements. As far as the chin rest is concerned, the upper portion is one I had on a different violin, the lower matching rest I made to mimic the upper one.

[Curt A]

If you click the pictures they will display on a separate page, then click on them again to enlarge and zoom in to see the construction...

[Victrolaboy]

It would be good to try on my studio recorder. I plan on bringing some blanks and the recorder to Union so that it can be seen working. It would be nice if collectors would bring some instruments for a little orchestra, and perhaps give a live recording demonstration with a recording head that actually made master records.

That's a great idea! I would love to see the studio recorder in action. Are there any other brass players on this forum besides me?
EDIT: dang it I put form instead of forum the first time because I typed it with my iPhone.

[Stephen_Madara]

Curt great job, i hope you bring it with you to the carolina show. steve

[Curt A]

Again, thanks to all of you for the nice comments... NOW, I have to learn to play it... It's been 50 years since I played one.