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georgeslilly - Posted - 09/15/2018: 14:49:42
I think I need a new bridge. My style involves almost always using drones and double-stops, so I rarely play just the E string, but when I do, my bow hits the side of the fiddle instead because I play over the fingerboard. I like the sound it gets there, but it's hard to play like that with the way my bridge is designed. Should I get a bridge that's flatter, higher, or both? I've attached pictures for reference.
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 09/15/2018: 18:45:44
Well …. Who set your fiddle up? From the picture the bridge may be a bit closer to the end of the fingerboard than it needs to be. Hard to tell. But the sum total of the tail piece and gut placement and length , after length, and string length from the nut to the bridge has to be balanced ie. in the right relationship to one another. If, and I say if, the relationship between those measurements is "off" that would change the location of your sweet spot. Alternately if all that is as it should be you can have a bridge cut without as steep a slope toward the E string. R/
illinoisfiddler - Posted - 09/16/2018: 01:19:16
You might want to experiment where you play in relation to the fingerboard. I have found the tone a bit mushy and unclear over the fingerboard, but possibly good for some things. I would try to bring the bow back toward the bridge. You get more distinction between strings, even with double-stops, and you should not have to crank the bow over so much to get volume, as generally things get louder as you play closer to the bridge.
ballynabill - Posted - 09/16/2018: 06:22:06
Richard has a good point there. Very commonly the violin is made so that the ideal bridge position is right between the inner notches of the f-holes. Anyway you might want to take a look at this page:
lashofviolins.com/useful-measurements.htm
...while noting what they say about how moving the bridge will change the relationship between the bridge and the soundpost. How far away is your soundpost from your bridge?
ChickenMan - Posted - 09/16/2018: 09:27:38
Your bridge looks like it is set up for synthetic (more gut-like?) strings, where the E string is significantly smaller diameter and needs less clearance of the fingerboard to vibrate properly. I have one fiddle, used years ago as my main fiddle, with a similarly cut bridge. Coincidentally, I just used that fiddle as my second fiddle at a dance Friday, first time in ages. I had forgotten about the bridge and it was annoying.
I’m taking mine to my guy, Randy Hoshaw, to get that fixed. I suggest you take yours to your luthier for the same.
'German fiddle' 2 days
'What's it called?' 2 days
