Anyone make an 8-string (4 course) violin?

[Jim Garber]

Bothy fiddler: do you have any recordings of you playing this instrument. I also did a search for the violin maker but I see no web presence. Is he still around and building?

I have seen at least one 8 string fiddle similar to yours from many years ago. I believe it was made in the 1890s.

[Bothy Fiddler]

Nevin: Thanks for your query. No, I find absolutely no problems whatsoever. The sound is very 'full' and there is no difficulty with fingering or bowing. Please note that the de-tuning is absolutely infinitesimal.

[Bothy Fiddler]

Sorry, Jim. I do not have any recordings at all and Roger Hahn, who is not a professional violin maker (but an immensely gifted amateur) has dropped from sight. Mind you, I moved away from his area some 12 years ago. I think that 8-string fiddles are as rare as rocking-horse teeth. I have never see one.

[Jim Garber]

Here are some small pics of one made around 1890. Not sure where it was made. I believe that is the one I played many years ago tho it might have been a different one or actually an 8 string viola.

The only reason I can see for doing this would be to increase the volume. I assume that is what you do as a bothy fiddler? Of course, there are battery operated amps now, too.

[Krywanoga]

Edward Hagen in New Mexico made several and I've got one now. Having a great time. I tuned the lower strings in octaves:

https://youtu.be/WtXeimdEARQ

[mandroid]

Hardanger, a traditional Norwegian fiddle, has 4 played and 4 drones..

[Mandoplumb]

After spending 50 years tuning and retuning 8 strings trying to keep pairs " twinned" I almost cried when I read the post that this fellow intentionally "untwined" them.

[Joel Glassman]

Benny Martin and his 8 string fiddle:

[Bothy Fiddler]

Do you find the slightly detuned strings fight the bow? On upright bass I find that when my intonation is off on double stops the bowing gets harder.

No; there is no problem with the bowing at all.

[Bothy Fiddler]

No recordings, sorry; I just play the instrument. I have no idea where Roger Hahn is now, nor even if he is still alive.

[Lord of the Badgers]

it's cheating, it's not as good (obviously), but Aidan O'Rourke plays his normal fiddle through an EHX POG pedal... which sounds epic live...

*DUCKS FOR COVER*

[Bothy Fiddler]

Suggest you listen to the Benny Martin recording to see how well this works - and it saves worrying about 'vibrato', for those of us who cannot do it. In fact the idea is based on that inadequacy. A vibrato wobbles in and out of the note (by an infinitesimal amount) to give a pleasing sound. By detuning one of a pair of strings (by an infinitesimal amount) you put the bounds of the note in a similar range without having to wobble your finger - which I cannot do. It is an excellent solution.

[mrmando]

Well, the great thing about vibrato as an expressive tool is that you can apply it where it's needed, increase or decrease its intensity, and shut it off when it's not appropriate.

Using slightly detuned, paired fiddle strings is not a substitute for vibrato. The effect is "on" at one level all the time. It's like a mandolinist playing everything with tremolo, or using nothing but downstrokes.

But no one ever accused Benny Martin of being afraid to bring the cheese.

[Jim Garber]

I have been playing fiddle for about 45 years and never have worried about vibrato nor have I found a need for an extra set of strings to boost my volume. I am glad that Bothy Fiddler fives and instrument that works for him or her. OTOH there are many non-classical violinists or fiddlers who do quite well with a normally set up fiddle.

[Stephen Perry]

Interesting sound. I can see that the changes from a normal fiddle involve at a minimum wider neck at the nut, and a custom tailpiece. Were I making one (which I could be talked into), I would choose a fairly wide body (for appearance), narrow channel/strong arching, somewhat beefier graduations, and a strong double-crowned bridge thicker throughout. Interesting project!