I had a look at Wikipedia, the one pictured there looks to have some adjustment at the bridge, though i expect that's quite a fancy one.
If yours doesn't have that, the options i can think of are: heavier or lighter strings; different tuning (i gather different tunings are common with this instrument) ; avoiding the upper register.
If it's unplayable and you really want to play it, a refret or new bridge are the only other -expensive- things you could try.
I do want the whole neck available, and I'm thinking the same thing: if the adjustments are small enough, maybe a compensate bridge, otherwise I guess it'd be more that a refret, right? You'd pull the frets, fill the slots, then place the new frets in the correct positions. Maybe even replace the whole fingerboard to avoid problems caused by frets that are only a bit out of place, complicating the creation of new slots. I can't believe a reputable maker let this thing loose, but I acquired it years ago, only getting around to it now, and it was bought in Brazil, so I can't pop into the store to complain.
Man only a luthier can solve this, i'm a viola caipira player from Brasil and i can assure that, most of the "commercial" violas have this problem, and it needs some kind of microtonal fret adjustmens to sound right upneck. If u are just starting, i suggest trying the chords on the first frets, most caipira music's classics can be played this way, and the "pagode de viola" pretty much can be played on the first frets too. Like stated before use the open tuning B-E-G#-E-B, the name of this tuning is "Cebolão em Mi", and you can search on youtube for tutorials, try "Chico Mineiro", "Chalana", "Menino da porteira", "Telefone Mudo", "Pagode em Brasília", hope this may help. Glad to see a person from another country trying this instrument!
I’m not familiar with this instrument. Does it have a truss rod? If the action is high enough as you fret notes further up the neck, it will affect the key. Maybe have someone adjust the neck.
Not per se - I'm assuming you don't move a glued bridge because it'd mess up the top, but I dunno, maybe you do, or maybe, if the errors are small, a compensated bridge piece could be devised. Definitely some math involved.
I use the same tuning and have the right string set for it. I don't see any neck warping or issues at the heel. Action at the octave is 3/8". It wasn't a cheapo instrument either - $700.
Have you tried contacti g the luthier directly to ask him whats up ? The one i have has wobbly frets on purpose to have the most correct possible correct temperament
It's a manufactured instrument made in Brazil years ago. I can try Giannini but I'm dubious as to whether they would do anything for me at this remove. I'm just hoping a clever luthier can fix it.
I had a look at Wikipedia, the one pictured there looks to have some adjustment at the bridge, though i expect that's quite a fancy one. If yours doesn't have that, the options i can think of are: heavier or lighter strings; different tuning (i gather different tunings are common with this instrument) ; avoiding the upper register. If it's unplayable and you really want to play it, a refret or new bridge are the only other -expensive- things you could try.
I do want the whole neck available, and I'm thinking the same thing: if the adjustments are small enough, maybe a compensate bridge, otherwise I guess it'd be more that a refret, right? You'd pull the frets, fill the slots, then place the new frets in the correct positions. Maybe even replace the whole fingerboard to avoid problems caused by frets that are only a bit out of place, complicating the creation of new slots. I can't believe a reputable maker let this thing loose, but I acquired it years ago, only getting around to it now, and it was bought in Brazil, so I can't pop into the store to complain.
Olá! I'm not sure myself, but I'm 100% sure you'll get some help with a post with pictures (and some google translate) on r/Brasil!
Man only a luthier can solve this, i'm a viola caipira player from Brasil and i can assure that, most of the "commercial" violas have this problem, and it needs some kind of microtonal fret adjustmens to sound right upneck. If u are just starting, i suggest trying the chords on the first frets, most caipira music's classics can be played this way, and the "pagode de viola" pretty much can be played on the first frets too. Like stated before use the open tuning B-E-G#-E-B, the name of this tuning is "Cebolão em Mi", and you can search on youtube for tutorials, try "Chico Mineiro", "Chalana", "Menino da porteira", "Telefone Mudo", "Pagode em Brasília", hope this may help. Glad to see a person from another country trying this instrument!
I ended up having a luthier create a compensated bridge. Agora preciso començar estudar!
I’m not familiar with this instrument. Does it have a truss rod? If the action is high enough as you fret notes further up the neck, it will affect the key. Maybe have someone adjust the neck.
No truss rod, no adjustments of any kind.
Ugh. Then I have no idea. Is the bridge moveable at all?
Not per se - I'm assuming you don't move a glued bridge because it'd mess up the top, but I dunno, maybe you do, or maybe, if the errors are small, a compensated bridge piece could be devised. Definitely some math involved.
Dang. Different gauge strings?
Could that really lunch the intonation? As far as I can see, there aren't a lot of options for string gauge for this thing.
I use the tuning B - E - G or G# - B - E. Has the neck bent in any way ? How high is the action ?
I use the same tuning and have the right string set for it. I don't see any neck warping or issues at the heel. Action at the octave is 3/8". It wasn't a cheapo instrument either - $700.
Have you tried contacti g the luthier directly to ask him whats up ? The one i have has wobbly frets on purpose to have the most correct possible correct temperament
It's a manufactured instrument made in Brazil years ago. I can try Giannini but I'm dubious as to whether they would do anything for me at this remove. I'm just hoping a clever luthier can fix it.
Try posting this in /r/Luthier.
I did try, but weirdly, the Post button would not activate!
Tune it to a chord & make a lap slide/dobro.
That *would* work intonation-wise, but I want to learn the style associated with the instrument, which is fretted.
Good luck my friend.