Cut Myself a New Bridge

Premier Sponsors

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our privacy policy which includes details of cookie usage.

(hide this)

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.

You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.

More posts from bsed