Hans Nebel 1924 Violin

Your Question:
I am trying to decide whether to sell my violin and give the money to a children's charity or donate it to a school so that children who cannot afford a violin can learn how to play one I have owned this violin since 1966 and it is in a good case, good condition, and the inside label says: Hans Nebel, Violinmaker, Philadelphia 1924. Is this likely a violin that I should donate to a school or sell? Also, is there a range that I should expect? Thank you for any input. Donna

My Answer:
Donna, Thank you for your inquiry. I can tell you that Hans Nebel (Sr.) was born in Mittenwald, Germany in 1892. He worked in Vienna, Stuttgart and for the famed Wurlitzer shop in New York, until he returned to Mittenwald in 1945. His son Hans Nebel (Jr.), whom I have studied violin repair with (shown above), is working in New Jersey. I have done a little research on value and this violin, assuming good condition and authenticity, is in the $5,000-$10,000 range, possibly more depending upon the market.

It would, in deed, be a very generous donation to a school. You might want to explore the possibility of selling the violin. Keep in mind that if you sell it to a dealer or at auction you probably won't get top dollar for it. Another option would be to consign the violin through a reputable violin shop. Many shops will take a 20-25% commission and will charge for any work that is needed to put the violin into sellable condition. If you consign the violin it may take a while for the instrument to sell, but ultimately may net you more money. If you want to sell it quickly then selling directly to a dealer or at auction would be a faster option.

It sounds like a lovely instrument and I wish you the best with your decision.

Whistling E String

Your Question:
I have a student who continues to occasionally "whistle" on her E string when playing double stops. We have changed the string with no improvement. I have watched her to be sure the bow is perpendicular to the string and not too close to either the bridge or the fingerboard, and yet it will still whistle on occasion. It doesn't happen every time, which is even more frustrating. Please help me diagnose this problem so I can help my student!

My Answer:
There is nothing more annoying than a whistling E string. My violin has a terrible whistle and playing fiddle tunes I play the open E string a lot. If you have determined that the problem is caused by bowing technique then it probably is the E string that you've chosen. What kind of E string is your student using? In addition, it is important to make sure that the violin is in good adjustment and that the notch for the E string at the nut and bridge are not too deep, and that the E string has proper fingerboard clearance.

I have two suggestions for clearing up this problem. You can try the Kaplan Solutions E string manufactured by D'Addario. It is a wound E string and specifically designed to get rid of the whistling E string problem. I've also had tremendous success with the Pirastro No. 1 -"The First Universal E String." It is a steel string wound with a tiny chrome steel wire, so thin that one cannot see that this string is a wound E string; the diameter of this string is almost as thin as a plain E string. This is the string that I use on my violin and it's hard to tell that this is a wound E string. To my ear it sounds as good as a plain steel E, which is my preferred E string. Please let me know if one of these solutions works for you.

Can I put a 3/4 Size E-string on a 1/2 size violin?

Question:
Can I put an E string meant for a 3/4 size on a 1/2 size violin? Will it work o.k.? Thanks for the form and the help.

My answer:
It is not a problem to put a 3/4 E string on a 1/2 size violin. It is done all the time.

Reply:
Thanks for answering , It's near amazing !..! The excitement one little string seem to cause.. . . . From kids freaking out to hair pulling to the point of to funny for type. Thanks again , from North of the Continental Divide.

Wittner tailpiece with built in fine tuners

Question:
We have a question regarding tailpieces. You have suggested getting a Wittner tailpiece for the little viola. My friend had the full size I showed taken in to his friend's repair shop and they suggested the same kind-explaining that it works better with the new strings people use now. The old one may break with the new string tension etc. We looked at it's construction and get the concept of how it is better and that these fine tuners used for accuracy are better because the potential for getting loose is gone. Obviously use of fine tuners would create less wear and tear on pegs, bridges, etc. However, when I look at pictures of professional violinists' violins I see many different tailpieces, but only one fine tuner. Are they resistant to change for the "better" or is there another reason for staying with the traditional set up?

My answer:
With the modern strings fine tuners aren't necessary (except for the E string). Most professional violinist/violists use only one fine tuner. Although some are using two for the upper two strings. Four fine tuners are recommended for students, who are learning to tune their own instruments, in addition to helping to save time for teachers in lessons. The advantage to a Wittner tailpiece with the built in fine tuners is that they are light weight (lighter than adding four fine tuners to a wood tailpiece) and the tuners are curved on the bottom, which minimizes the possibility of damage to the top of the instrument when the tuners are turned all the way down. I have recently put a Wittner tailpiece on my fiddle and I love it!