Topic: Fiddle Fretters at Fiddle Hell

[madfiddler]

I've got 4 Fiddle Fretters to give away this weekend so I need to know who is interested. In return Peter (the inventor) would like an in-depth accurate review of your impression, should anyone decide to take one away. This will help with its ongoing development.

If there's more than 4 people, then I guess we'll have to flip coins.

Stick your name down here if you're interested.

Thanks,

m

[Pipers Wine Fiddler]

Fiddlefretter at Fiddlehell? What the hell is a fiddlefretter?

I think I need to more carefully follow what's going on on the forum ...

See you guys tomorrow .. we already had a great session at the Buckingham tonight (thank, Woody!).

... and thanks to my landlord I do have a free broadband Internet connection here at my B&B!

See you,

Holger

[madfiddler]

http://www.frettedfiddle.com/

looking forward to seeing/hearing you again Holger... Can I have a play with the StringAmp too please?

[Richard]

Il have 1 ta if any left. A mate wants to give the violin a go over summer, so Ill see if these help her at all.

[madfiddler]

Richard. That would be an extremely good test anyway... So I'll hold one back for you....

[Pipers Wine Fiddler]

Can I have a play with the StringAmp too please?

.... thanks for the information. Nothing for me, really, at the end this would lead to the fact that my intonation improves and that would completely change my fiddling style! I'd rather slide into the rightish tone than being fretted 

Playing the StringAmp fiddle: absolutely, Mark, you are welcome. Best played with the Arcus bow

Holger

[peakfiddler]

 :laugh:

[Richard Martin]

think it would improve my playing??? (well pretty much anything would) interested to know what they are?

[madfiddler]

Typical me - I can't remember who took one now.

Jeff did, Richard did (I think)... who were the other two.. Pete Hartley? and ? sorry, forgot

[peakfiddler]

I took one for the kids at school. Feedback to follow shortly.

Chris

[Richard]

I didnt take 1 - didnt see any and forgot to pester for one.
Never Mind

[Richard Martin]

Pete did - think I may get chance to have a go with that one

[Richard Martin]

Well Pete popped round today - and I have one of the fiddle fretters - put it on one of my bench made fiddles - first comment is the clearance between the e and the lowest fret is a little tight. That aside very easy to fit - I will post some more when I have had a proper oportunity to play it. Doing any practice today is going to be over shadowed by playing Petes Violectra - what an outstanding instrument - lovely

[peakfiddler]

Handed my one to the Head of Music at our school, who will pass it on to the Peripatetics.
I printed out the information from the inventors website, which has loads of pictures and installation details and added that to the bundle.
I will keep you posted when feedback arrives.

[peakfiddler]

Feedback has arrived at the end of today's violin lessons. The fiddle fretter was attached to one violin and given to the various youngsters, who had a lesson today, to try out.
The response back from the violin teacher was that the fiddle fretter seemed like a very good idea. However, it was felt that the children needed to learn by listening, not touch. Also, that the fiddle fretter discouraged pupils from sliding to adjust the pitch. In addition, the size of the overlay was not exact for all 4/4 neck shapes.

I thought I would try it when I got home on one of my spare fiddles. I found the glue to be very sticky and difficult to position. I virtually had to loosen off all the strings to get the thing in the correct place. I was worried about the soundpost dropping, so decided to remove the overlay before it became too difficult to remove and never even got to try it out.

So, all in all, not very positive feedback I'm afraid. Yet, we had all thought it would perform better.

Wednesday 21st June ...............
I posted the above comments yesterday and have been asking a couple of children today during another lesson their own reaction to fiddle fretter. They were quite positive about the device and thought it was a good idea for complete beginners. which none of the children in our little trial were, evidently. They also indicated that their parents would probably have bought one if they thought it would help them to get started in the first place.
So that sounded a little more positive, which is why I felt obliged to post this additional feedback.

Where do you want it to go next Mark ?

[digirira]

not at the fiddle hell but I did get a short try at the fiddle fretter. I don't know if it helps beginners with intonation, because it played behind frets much like guitars.

Still a cool device and seems more dooable than actually installing the frets like some electric violins. The one I tried looked very worned out, and some frets were groved where the strings touch. Some notes were buzzing as well. maybe they are good for something like 6 month+-, and they are cheap enough for that purpose.

[swarbrules]

I'll try to remember to bring my Chimese fiddle with the fretter fitted.

[chrisandcello]

I tried these some time ago....delivery time was very quick...I tried them for a while to help me get some/find some more chords ...in that way they helped. I think the idea is great, as they make you pay attention and set a visual reference in the minds eye.....the shiny lines help with this. But if I was getting something like that manufactured I would not use the wire for frets....maybe a thin shiny metalic strip laminated in flushly, rather like you get in a uk bank note....
The reason I took them off was because the frets were raised..... too much finger pressure (uneven pressure, vibrato etc.) would knock the pitch out...which was really irritating
I think the idea is great, but would be more practical if the laminate was flush to accomodate normal fretless style playing....this I think would make it more popular with a greater range of learners........top marks to Pete though for getting his idea out in the market...nice person to deal with I thought...

[peakfiddler]

I've kept the one I borrowed safe and will bring it back to Fiddle Hell Buxton 2007 for someone else to try. Bear in mind, it has been tried out by some less than nimble fingered kids, so it is no longer in pristine condition. Still usable though.