Where to Find Us & Opening Hours
Shop Hours:
Mon to Fri - 9 am to 6 pm
Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm
26 Smith Street
COLLINGWOOD
VIC 3066
Tel: +61 (0)3 9417 4930
Workshop
Setups
Setting up an instrument is the term given to the complex set of processes carried out by a violin maker which affect the individual instrument and allow it to perform at its best.
These processes and variables include: –
• The shape and height of the bridge
• The shape of the finger board – both in profile and along its length
• Density of the wood of the bridge and its placement on the instrument in relationship to the structural members inside the instrument such as the sound post and the bass bar
• The weight and length of the tailpiece
• The type and gauge of strings used
• Height and shape of the top nut
• Length of, and material used for, the tailgut
…the list goes on…
None of these variables can be viewed in isolation as a change in one may affect all the others. There will always be an optimum set up for each individual instrument and only a fully trained, experienced violin maker will be able to achieve this.
At Alex W Grant Violins all the instruments on offer have undergone thorough set up procedures and, in their various grades, are performing at the optimum level.
We are pleased to offer two choices in setups to suit your budget and performance requirements: The 3* student setup and the 5* professional setup. The student 3* set up features in all of the beginner range of instruments whilst the 5* setup is used for the intermediate, advanced and fine range.
The 3* Student Setup involves:
Tuning pegs are lubricated
Top nut is adjusted in height
Sharp edges of the fingerboard are softened
Good quality adjustable foot bridge is fitted and adjusted to the correct height
Factory supplied sound post is adjusted
Better quality strings, such as Tonica, are fitted
Factory supplied tailpiece is lubricated and fitted
Bow screw is checked and lubricated
Case is checked for proper functioning
Bow hair is checked for even length and rosin is applied
The 5* set up includes:
All of the above plus a fully professionally fitted Milo Stamm European bridge and sound post
Tuning pegs properly fitted or replaced
Fingerboard planed to the correct profile and longitudinal relief
New fine tuner tailpiece is fitted where required