I just got 2 violins and the bridges are not set up and are barely notched. I need assistance with 1)how to figure out which side faces me and which side faces the fingerboard, 2)where exactly to place it, 3)how to get the pegs to stay in place, 4)do most of you use fine tuners or not? and 5)how to get the bow hair to take on the rosin. I don't really care for the rosin it came with (circular and yellowish but no name on it). I have always used W.E. Hills and Sons.
A third instrument I just got is a viola. It was supposed to be a violin. Any advice on whether or not to keep or return it? I don't know how to play viola or read viola music at all!
Thanks in advance.
Jill

On my violin, the top of the bridge (when it is erected) slopes down on the right side-- it is not exactly symetrical. I suppose this is for easier access to the strings... maybe you can place the bridge from that description, but PLEASE someone correct me if I am wrong. Also, The bridge is placed to line up exactly between the lower notches on the sound holes.

Put the bridge so the slopping side is on the right, use chalk to keep the pegs in place and just keep rubbing the roisin on the bow until it's really covered..

You should be able to get an exchange as long as you haven't damaged the viola, especially if the mess up was their fault. Just try getting in contact with them.

It sounds as though you haven't set up a violin before! my best advice wouuld be to go to someone who knows how to set them up, and as if they can show you the basics if you feel that you will be doing it a lot. if your strings do not have very good notches or no notches you may have a raw unshaped bridge which is naturally no help at all. I use four fine tuners, and a lot of new violins will have them. i doesn't really matter much if you don't have them on the a,d, and g but they are really handy on the e which is much harder to tune using just the pegs. if the pegs aren't that great they may not be fitted properlym but you can get peg chalk, (theres another name for it but i can't remember) which will help you either get them to stick or tell you where the misshaped parts are. you can get this checked out to if you like.
with setting up it is important that everything is in the right place. it can effect the sound of the violin.

No, I haven't set up any violins before. These are very interesting. They were made in Taiwan/Vietnam and the strings are pegged differently than our typical instruments. I am also wondering whether or not to restring them to what we are used to?
I think I will keep the viola but need some resources for learning how to play it.
Thanks for the replies.
Jill

I'd restring them the way you're used to.(traditional way) That way you won't get mixed up tuning if you'er playing in a group etc.

Good advice, thanks. I decided to keep the viola, have it set up properly too by someone else, and I will teach myself how to play.

Hi,
I would suggest bringing your instrument to a good technician or luthier to have it properly set up. Setting up an instrument properly involves more than putting up the bridge. It does make a big difference when an instrument is properly set up.
Cheers!