In part one of the article, I discussed the differences in construction between a baroque and modern violin. In part two I will discuss the setup of the instrument, including the tailpiece, tailgut, bridge, and strings.
The shape and design of the baroque tailpiece varied from maker to maker, sometimes simple and sometimes very intricately inlaid. The main difference between the baroque and modern tailpiece is the way that the tailgut is attached. On the modern tailpiece, the holes are hidden, running lengthwise through the material. On a baroque tailpiece, the holes are visible, running through the top.
For my instrument’s tailpiece, I chose to recycle an old fingerboard from a 150-year-old violin that was too worn down to be used anymore.
The tailgut on baroque instruments was made from gut, as opposed to nylon which is now standard on modern instruments. In order to secure the tailgut to the tailpiece, I used a fisherman’s knot. The Stradivari Stitch was another common method for attaching the tailpiece.
If you are interested in purchasing a baroque style tailpiece, I now make them for violin and viola from flamed maple:
Baroque Tailpiece – Flamed Maple
Custom-made baroque style tailpiece. Made from solid flamed maple.
Comes with a synthetic gut (Kevlar) tailgut.
If you would like a specific one from the picture, please add a note to your order when checking out.
Length: Violin 108 mm, Viola 120 mm.
If you need different dimensions, feel free to contact us.
The baroque bridge also came in a variety of shapes and sizes. I chose a model similar to the one used on the “Tuscan” Stradivari viola. In the picture below are a number of Antonio Stradivari’s templates housed in the Museo del Violino in Cremona.
Finally, I chose to string the instrument with Gamut gut strings. Learn more about them here.
Here’s the final setup of the violin.
This violin is no longer for sale, but to see this violin’s twin, click here.
Shop our baroque selection
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Product on sale
Gig Violins Workshop Baroque Violin BowOriginal price was: $600.00.$450.00Current price is: $450.00. -
Product on saleGig Violins Workshop Baroque Viola BowOriginal price was: $650.00.$500.00Current price is: $500.00.
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Product on saleGig Violins Workshop Baroque Cello BowOriginal price was: $700.00.$550.00Current price is: $550.00.
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Giglierano Short Baroque Bow – Violin – Katalox$1,400.00
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J. Albert Violin (Circa 1880) – Baroque Setup$1,600.00
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Giglierano Baroque Bow – Violin (or Viola) Sonata Model – Snakewood (Medium Figure) and Ebony$1,600.00
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Giglierano Baroque Bow – Violin Sonata Model – Highly Figured Snakewood and Ebony$1,800.00
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Giglierano Baroque Bow – Cello – Octagonal – Snakewood and Ebony$1,850.00
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Giglierano Baroque Bow – Cello – Round – Snakewood and Ebony$1,850.00
