What to do when your violin is making a 'buzz' sound
CHECK FIRST (easy to fix)
1. Fine tuners (adjusters): a) tuners touching each other b) tuners turned or twisted c) screw too loose 2. Large size adjusters only: a) loose collar b) screw not touching lever c) lever touching top 3. Strings a) broken windings b) 'floating' sleepers (string guard tubes) c) long or interfering peg ends d) strings crossing in peg box e) loose ball end (metal strings) 4. Tailpiece a) touching top of instrument b) touching chinrest c) tailgut ends touching top of instrument 5. Chinrest a) touching top or tailpiece when pressed b) missing cork or leather c) loose object inside clamp spindle 6. Bow a) hair too loose (stick touches string) b) warped stick (ditto (a)) 7. Bridge a) missing sleeper (string guard tube) 8. Dress a) rattling pins, brooches, buttons or clips |
SECOND CHECK GROUP (professional help)
1. Open seams or cracks a) check by gentle tapping or touch suspect areas while bowing 2. Fingerboard a) check for high spots b) ruts or hollows (a single bump may be lightly filed) c) partially loose from neck 3. Inlays in peg or tailpiece a) cracked or loose 4. Sound post a) split or cracked b) poorly fitted c) fallen or missing 5. Fingerboard nut a) loose b) too high for fingerboard (1st finger problems) c) too low (string touches fingerboard above finger) 6. Bridge a) notch cut too narrow (pinches string) b) too low (main effect on higher positions) c) warped bridge (string touches fingerboard (esp. top strings) d) loose feet (replace bridge) 7. Body a) shavings or debris inside 8. Neck joint a) loose or wobbly |