This checklist tells you about our professional shop adjustment (or setup). You shouldn’t ever consider buying an instrument that has not been expertly adjusted! You might be surprised to know that some companies just sell you the instruments the way they receive them from China, Europe, or wherever. The chances of these working properly are certainly not good. A poorly adjusted instrument is guaranteed to increase bad technique. Low price alone is not true value. We combine both low prices and better instruments that will not only last longer, but enhance your performance skills as well.
THE BRIDGE
Each bridge must be hand cut with the correct curve and be fitted individually to each instrument. A carefully fitted bridge allows the strings to vibrate freely without touching the fingerboard, and maintains them at the proper height for easy playing.
THE NUT
The nut should have the correct height and spacing to insure that the strings do not touch the fingerboard so there is no “buzzing” sound when the instrument is being played.
THE FINGERBOARD
The fingerboard must be accurately trued and aligned, smooth and straight, with the proper curvature and correct length and thickness. Fine ebony, not stained or varnished, only lightly oiled. The strings must be checked for correct height starting at the nut and on to the bridge.
THE PEGS
Fine quality ebony pegs individually fitted for smooth easy turning and ideal holding tension. They must be correctly spaced both in relation to one another and not too close to the back of the peg box.
THE SOUNDPOST
Each soundpost is hand fitted to the instrument and properly placed to produce the maximum balance of tone quality and volume. Soundposts fitted abroad by the manufacturers are not usually carefully fitted and placed in proper relationship to the bridge. This is why we do this in our shop.
THE TAILPIECE
These must be sized in proportion to the size of the instrument as it is the link between the end button and bridge. Historically, the tailpiece has been made of the same material as the pegs and end button, which is usually ebony in the case of the student instrument. However, now fine tailpieces are made of new very strong, lighter materials with string adjusters built-in.
THE STRING ADJUSTERS
The new Wittner tailpieces have the string adjusters (tuners) built-in. If wood tailpieces are used, we install only the finest quality adjusters, attached firmly to eliminate any chance of buzzing.
THE CHINREST
A fine quality chinrest must be well-shaped for comfort and balance and attached to the instrument securely.
FINAL INSPECTION
All instruments undergo a final inspection by the staff at Simply for Strings. This assures that the instrument meets or exceeds all specifications.
Many clients say the primary reason for using our instruments is our “set-up” (adjustment). By doing all of the above by hand, one at a time, we can alter the specifications to your specific measurements if they differ from the norm. We will do it YOUR way!
