So I've spent the last couple of days wrestling with my instrument, and if any of you have tried to set up a new instrument you know how difficult it can be to get it to feel just right.  I have a gig fiddle that I play on most of the time, so I've gotten used to the feel of playing that old beater.  Unfortunately, that fiddle isn't a great piece of work, and  I only use it because it sounds decent through a sound system, it can survive smoky bars, and if some drunk guy sat on it I wouldn't get too upset.  So I've been trying to set up my good acoustic fiddle to feel the same way.  Some points to remember when setting up your instrument...

 

ACTION: "Action" refers to the height of the string.  This can be lowered be deepening the grooves in the bridge, or even deepening the grooves in the nut at the top of the instrument.  the thing to remember when lowering the action, is that lower action means weaker sound.  It takes away some of the power of the instrument, your ability to get more volume by leaning into the string, and thins the tone a bit.  The tradeoff is that it makes the instrument much easier to play.  You don't have to push as hard on the string, so it's easier to get a clean and clear note.  Additionally, double stops where you're using the same finger, like and A-E on the G-D strings using the first finger on both strings, are much easier to get in tune.  Many fiddle players opt for lower action on their instrument because they play so many single-finger double stops and drones, and frankly, we're just a lazy bunch.  I had to lower my action on the G and D strings significantly because my bridge was originally cut way too tall and had to be brought down.

 

It's always a little scary making adjustments to your instrument, especially when your cutting wood out of the bridge.  Once you cut wood out, you can't put it back, and if you go too far you might ruin the bridge and have to get a new one.  That's why you have to take it slow, testing the feel as you go.  Make sure you take your instrument to someone you trust.  If your looking to save money, find some other area of your life to go cheap, because your instrument needs quality work.

 

Hopefully my adjustments work out and I feel comfortable playing when I go to the National Fiddlers Contest.  There's nothing like feeling at one with your instrument.  Until next time fiddlers, keep sawing and keep picking!

 

Fiddlin Mike