Changing of the guard

Well, I did it...went yesterday and plunked down some do$h for a bow and fiddle.

The Rudoulph Doetsch violin was traded in for a strad model made in 1892 by Nickolaus Sahla of Dresden. I was the first to see it in from a dealer and asked to play it. I tried it in the shop and took it to Keadron for her opinion. She confirmed my sense that the tone is much sweeter, rounder, and bigger than the Doetsch. I really liked the look, sound, and feel, so I took it home for a tryout and decided to upgrade. The dealer threw in a collapsible Kun shoulder rest because I am such a good customer.



The shop had to replace the button, which was slightly askew, and fix the bridge, which was not squarely cut. Everything looks good, but I had trouble keeping the instrument in tune last night. I will write that off to the new button settling in and will keep an eye on it.

My new bow is a Klaus Uebel pernambuco and silver, weighing 59 grams. Its finish, strangely enough, matches my new Sahla almost exactly. This bow is noticably more responsive and I am happy with it, for now.