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Musician Angel playing the fiddle
Hans Memling c. 1480 |
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En:
Fiddle, Ffythele, Ffidil,
Fiele, Fithele, Es: Fídula, Vihuela de arco, Fr: Viella à
archet, Vielle à archet, Med Fr: Viella, De: Fiedel,
Phigilin, No: Faedel, Fedylle, Fele, Nl: Viool, La:
Vitula
"Fiddle" is a generic term for any chordophone played with a bow.
Colloquially, "fiddle" is frequently taken for a member of the violin family
as well as for the "Kit" or "Pochette". Fiddle in our time is usually taken
for the violin when played as a folk instrument.
We use the term fiddle for the medieval string instrument that was know
during the Middle Ages and early Renaissance as ffythele, ffidil, fiele and
fithele and today is usually known as the medieval fiddle, the predecessor
of the violin and a key instrument played by the minstrels.
The fiddle was the most respected instrument of the Middle Ages and,
along with the harp, the most common. It was described as being able to play
all types of music from the highest art music to popluar dance music.
[more about
the
Fiddle] |
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RWC Finished and Kit
Fiddle |
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RWC Fiddle
The inspiration for our mediaeval fiddle came from the famous
painting by Hans Memling (1435-1494) now in the Reliquary of St Ursula in
the Hopital St Jean in Brugges.
The instrument is depicted with a very flat fretted neck and a shallow
bridge.
A low string tension would therefore apply which together with the almost
viola sized body gives the fiddle its characteristic timbre.
The Renaissance Workshop Company Ltd. offer a choice of two bridge shapes
to suit different playing styles. The first is slightly curved allowing the
strings to be bowed in chordal fashion with only the top string available
for the melody line (the top two strings were often tuned in unison and
bowed together).
Set up like this the instrument responds well to tunings of G d g d? d?
or G d a e? e?
The alternative bridge is slightly higher with more curvature to allow
individual bowing of all strings and would suit a tuning of D G d g d? or c
G d a e?
Each instrument is hand built to special order in
our own workshops in Toledo (Spain)
and comes with 12 months warranty.
A soft padded bag or fitted hard case and a choice
of bows are available as optional extras if required. |
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RWC Finished and Kit
Fiddle |
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Fiddle Kit
The same fiddle is offered in kit form for home assembly.
The price includes the license to build one
instrument for private use.
An important feature of our fiddle kits is the inclusion of a mould to
ensure success, even for the first time builder, so assembly of the body can
begin immediately.
The figured maple ribs are supplied pre-bent around the mould
The neck is cut ready for final shaping and the peg holes are reamed to
eliminate the need for any special tools.
Traditional materials are used throughout including a maple back, a Swiss
pine front and top quality gut strings & fretting.
A fully dimensioned plan and instruction manual take the builder through
the construction of the instrument in a clear and concise manner, with 'step
by step' photographs further illustrating each stage.
All the kits Include free access to our customer 'Helpline' should you
need any advice on construction, setting-up or playing. |
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RWC Finished and Kit
Fiddle |
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Fiddle Plan
You can make the same instrument from scratch, following detailed
step-by-step instructions through the construction process in a clear
and concise manner.
A fully dimensioned plan and a set of photographs
illustrates each stage.
The price includes the license to build one
instrument for private use. |
| [1] Price,
Payment and Ordering Information Prices and Exchange rates
All published prices are exclusive of
VAT and
shipping costs.
They are shown in
RWC.
The following exchange rates are valid on
May 20th, 2013.
See other
conditions
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Exchange rates |
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1 RWC= |
1.368
GBP |
1.532
EUR |
2.076
USD |
213.1
JPY |
2.134
CAD |
2.121
AUD |
2.009
CHF |
64.84
RUB |
12.74
CNY |
19.82
ZAR |
25.56
MXN |
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Promotions
Some temporary offers and discounts might apply:
In May up to
25% Off
Ordering
For security and service quality, we need your order to be in writing
and cannot take it by phone.
If you want to buy, please, fill and send the
ORDER FORM.
Should you have any difficulty, please
contact us.
More Info
For more information about buying our products, you should consult the
following pages:
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Fiddle
- Medieval 5 string (Memling)
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