INSTRUMENT TIPS: Importance of the Bridge: by Jim Knapp Knapp Music Co

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INSTRUMENT TIPS: Importance of the Bridge: By Jim Knapp Knapp Music Co. email: [email protected] One of the most important elements affecting the tonal quality of a stringed instrument is the bridge. The bridge must be carefully fitted to the instrument so as to ensure effective transfer of vibration. Equally important is the proper curvature at the top of the bridge which allows for effective playing of each string. Finally, the proper bridge height allows for the optimum clearance between the strings and the fingerboard. Bridges need frequent maintenance and occasionally need to be replaced. Bridges- Care and Maintenance Leaning • It is very important the bridge be almost perpendicular to the top (or table) of the instrument. Bridges often lean forward over time (toward the fingerboard) and need to be adjusted upright. A leaning bridge can eventually fall over. In addition, a bridge left in the tilted position doesn’t yield optimum sound quality and will ultimately begin to warp. • Good bridges have been carefully fitted so that the feet of the bridge conform perfectly to the instrument. Each instrument has unique shape and features, so one instrument’s bridge cannot be transferred to another instrument. • Bridges can warp. Severe warp is serious and the bridge generally needs to be replaced. Warped cello bridges can sometimes be straightened through a special heating process, however these techniques need to be left to an experienced luthier. • Many factors go into the optimum bridge settings: thickness at the strings, thickness at the feet, string groove spacing, curvature, fingerboard height projected to the bridge, quality of the wood, mass, etc. – all affect the tone quality and the playability. • The bridge must be properly positioned on the instrument. The “setup” of bridge position in relation to the soundpost position will significantly affect the quality of sound. • There are many grades of bridges, governed in general by the quality of the wood used. • Teachers should check the condition of their students’ bridges often and recommend that corrections be made if optimum settings are not in place. .

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