Gypsy violins

Charles Meadows

I play mostly the guitar but have done some bluegrass fiddle. Trying to ease into a bit of the simpler violin parts. Do the gypsy violinists use any particular type of instrument or setup - classical type bridge? Thanks.

AndyW

Charles Meadows wrote:

I play mostly the guitar but have done some bluegrass fiddle. Trying to ease into a bit of the simpler violin parts. Do the gypsy violinists use any particular type of instrument or setup - classical type bridge? Thanks.

most of the violin players i've worked with in person seem to have the 'regular' / 'classical" setup, including the bridge. And ,often , they're playing on the same instrument they'd use to play other genres i.e. classical. I understand that some bluegrass / country swing players lower the bridge, I don't think it's common in Gypsy Jazz.
[Two of the people I'm thinking of play with professional symphony / ballet orchestras]

I dabble in a little violin too, and my set up is pretty 'classical', bridge & strings wise, though my instruments are fairly cheap old European violins I've acquired, mostly at local auctions.

-Andy-

RobbieW

Sorry for asking it here, I didn't know where to address this question. So, does anyone know what kind of violin this guy is playing?
http://wowmp3.net/watch/hQ_XX52-Xdw/gog ... imus-alive
He's pretty awesome I think and I love the way his instrument sounds, I'd love to buy a similar one.

MacKeagan

Hi RobbieW. Looks like one of the Yamaha silent/electrics. I guess he got tired of trying to amplify his old standard violin. I has ta say, all due respects, I don't care much for this band. I guess the younger folks like them because they have that punk/high-energy thing, but their stuff sounds repetitive to me, mostly focused on a repeating shouted chorus, and not a lot of instrumental breaks. To be fair, I don't like punk, so I'm admittedly prejudiced here.
I'll put in a plug here for my fave new band, Fishtank Ensemble: serious gypsy stuff, mashed up with swing and flamenco. High-energy, clear vocals (I could understand the words, except I don't speak Serbian), good instrumental stuff. YMMV.
As far as the violin, there are probably better choices, and I suspect the old boy got it because it was inexpensive and durable.
Bon chance,
MacKeagan

AndyW

not sure about Gogol Bordello, but that's a big crowd they are playing to.

here's a video of Fishtank Ensemble, any GJ band that has a girl with a
bowler hat playing the saw AND a belly-dancer is all-good in my book.
More videos on their channel. thanks for the headsup, MacKeagan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlmvQXpHWyE