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Cut Myself a New Bridge

Posted by bsed on Wednesday, December 23, 2009

I just finished the "bridge-cutting" process which maybe took a couple weeks from start to finish (not that it was a long or grueling process, I just let it sit awhile at one point). I'd have to say it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be, and I credit part of that with much of the good advice I read here, particularly from Woodwiz. I used my existing bridge as the template, got the new blank sanded down to the height I wanted, measured the height of the strings at the end of the fingerboard, got the width of the bridge to within 0.5mm of the old one, got the feet sanded & shaped so that I couldn't see any light when I shined a flashlight from the other side. It's a definite plus to be able to do work like this, because otherwise I'd have to leave my fiddle with a luthier for a week or two. Next I ought to learn how to set up a sound post!

9 comments on “Cut Myself a New Bridge”

bj Says:
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @10:53:37 AM

Seems we're both getting our feet wet in minor luthier repair work. Congrats!

Humbled by this instrument Says:
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @6:07:22 PM

Way to go, bsed. I don't have the patience for it, so I tip my hat to you.

Ozarkian DL Says:
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 @6:15:58 PM

Bsed....thet second thought of yours conjers up complicated & tedious post placement. 1/2 tha post's diamater distance behind tha bridges treble foot....just to tha right of center....contured to tha upper & back plates. Easy said, not so easy done. ( correctly ). Amateur myself ( only 2 to my credit & jus a few due to fallen post ), but 5 fer my CBF's being more easily done cause they required only straight horizonal cuts. THEN ya come across sumone whut wants it tweeked ta satisfy tha sound THEY want ( like I cud tell....LOL ). Good luck to ya.

Mandogryl Says:
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @4:32:43 AM

I made one bridge from scratch, but they are so inexpensive that I buy them.
But for my new fiddle I will make the bridge for that one.
And don't forget to carve the kidneys and heart.
Congratulations! Fun, ain't it?

bsed Says:
Thursday, December 24, 2009 @8:39:07 AM

Yeah, but I guess you'd need a scroll saw for that intricate cutting work, or a real steady hand!!

Mandogryl Says:
Friday, December 25, 2009 @5:45:10 AM

I don't know what you are using for tools, but I think a scroll saw would be the best. I used my bandsaw with a 1/16" blade. To carve the heart and kidneys, what I meant was using maybe an Exacto knife to bevel their edges.

bsed Says:
Friday, December 25, 2009 @9:10:30 PM

If you want to know the truth, ALL I used was....sandpaper.

fishinmusician Says:
Sunday, December 27, 2009 @7:02:19 PM

Bruce,

Congrats.... did you start with a complete blank, or did it already have the the heart and kidneys cut out?

Hope it sounds as good (or better) than the old.

Dave

bsed Says:
Monday, December 28, 2009 @3:03:15 PM

I bought a blank at a store, already had the fancy stuff carved out, so all I had to do was sand it down to size.

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