9 steps to your REBO-violin

To download a complete illustrated installation manual (PDF-file) click here.

Step 1 of 9: Mark the fingerboard holes

• Remove strings, tailpiece, bridge and chinrest.

• Mark the three holes to be drilled: two marks on the outer edges and one in the middle of the front of the fingerboard.

(please click to enlarge)

The next steps should be practiced on a piece of hard-wood!

Step 2 of 9: Drill the fingerboard holes

• Drill the holes with the long 2.4 mm bit:

• Mark a depth of 20 mm for the holes with a piece of adhesive tape on the bit.

• Using a ruler, verify that the holes and the fingerboard align.

Step 3 of 9: Tap the fingerboard holes (cut the threads)

• Tap the fingerboard holes from step 2 using the UNC 4/40 tap:

• You can extend the screw tap with, for example, a connector (insulating screw joint) and a screwdriver (see picture).

• Verify with a ruler that the holes and fingerboard align. Take your time and be careful as you tap the holes

Caution: If rotating the tap is getting harder, remove the screw tap and thoroughly remove all chips from the screw tap and hole.

• Suspending the instrument from the scroll helps in removing chips.

Step 4 of 9

• Level the front of the fingerboard with a file or sandpaper on a block.

Step 5 of 9: Prepare and mount the plastic plate

• Copy the position of the holes in the fingerboard to the raw plastic plate. Using the marks, drill holes in the plate using the 3mm bit.

• Test mount the plastic plate.

• The plastic plate should align properly with the screws and the holes in the fingerboard. If it does not, enlarge the holes in the plastic plate with a (round) file.

Step 6 of 9: Check the depth of the holes

• Using the screws, plastic plate and the pickup element, check if the holes are tapped sufficiently deep.

Step 7 of 9: Mount the pickup elements

• Clamp the two pickup elements between the fingerboard and the plastic plate.

• The side of the pickup elements where the wires come out should point in the direction of the G-string.

Step 8 of 9

• Mount the jack.

• String with steel strings (recommend are "D'Addario Helicore" or "Pirastro Flexocor / Permanent"), mount and adjust the bridge, tailpiece and chinrest.

• Connect the instrument with an instrument cable to a musical instrument amplifier.

Step 9 of 9: Adjusting the pickup elements

• Start with the elements positioned so that the element-to-strings distances are the same for both elements. Initially, they should be placed equidistant between string pairs G/D and A/E.

• Try different element-to-strings positions. Bring them nearer or move them away. Try different angles. Develop your idea of your sound.

• Don't bring the elements too near to the strings, or else the strings may snare on the elements.

• Experience the electric sound of your instrument with your ensemble or band and readjust if necessary.

• If on a special occasion you'd like to use your instrument in a "purely" traditional way and your new REBO system is disturbing you visually, simply remove the three screws, the two pickup elements, the plastic plate and the jack.

To download a complete illustrated installation manual (PDF-file) click here.

Enjoy yourself with the REBO!