New custom bridge recently

Instruments: custom bridge.Violin sounding brighter

From james holmes
Posted May 26, 2012 at 07:17 PM

Hello-my original bridge that came with my violin snapped. I since gotten a new custom one from the luthier. He did a fantastic job but I noticed my violin sounds brighter. I was starting to like the soft mellow-warmer sound from my original bridge.

My question is- does the new bridge need to get worn in to achieve that warmer sound?

Do I need to change my strings? Or should I had told the luthier what sound I was going for from the start. I would hate to have another custom bridge made. It wasn't cheap.

From Nicolas Temino
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 08:48 PM

Probably you liked the sound because you were used to it. Sometimes I find too thick bridges that tend to produce that sound you are describing. Once corrected or a new (thinner) bridge is carved the sound of the violin improves, and normally customers are satisfied. Usually a well carved bridge reveals the true spirit of the instrument.

Anyway, if you liked the sound you got from your violin you should have told your luthier before.

My humble advice: Keep on playing with you new bridge. If after a couple of months you still find your tone as too bright, try a set of darker strings (like Violino). Maybe your violin IS bright, but you didn't know.

From David Burgess
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 09:26 PM

Hi James;

The sound of the bridge probably won't change. I too would give it a little time, and see if you get used to the different sound before making any decisions which involve spending more money.

It would have been helpful if you had informed the luthier that you wanted to maintain a similar sound, but it would have been more helpful if the luthier had asked.

But it can be dangerous to ask. The response can be a 60 minute description of the merits and tonal description of grandma's violin and how it came up through the family; your struggles learning to play pedal steel; three notes you particularly like on the "Soil" Stradivari (with a CD offered for listening); the "Giants of Cremona" CD, with phrases picked out from different violins.

OK, you already know I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea. :-)

From Christian Lesniak
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:18 PM

David, kind of like when I go to the barber with a picture of Brad Pitt. "I want to look like that..."

From Scott Cole
Posted on May 26, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Why don't you just ask the luthier to thin the bridge in small increments until you get the sound you want? Also, sealing the bridge can make the sound noticeably brighter and harder.

Since a bridge can last decades, I'd have it done the way you want it.

From Cyril Millendez
Posted on May 27, 2012 at 08:53 AM

I agree, give it some time. Violins usually need a good few days of playing time to settle-in after an adjustment.

If, after a week or so, you still don't like the sound, try asking your luthier to thin down the bridge. If that doesn't work, you could try a soundpost adjustment, in case it might have moved during the initial fitting of the new bridge.

From james holmes
Posted on May 27, 2012 at 10:03 AM

Thanks. I think I will try new strings. I've been wanting an excuse to try different strings other than Dominant.

I've had the violin back for couple of months now and the sound is definitely different. But in a good way. Perhaps I can adjust my playing.

I am never going to be professional so I think this bridge will work.

Wow this site has taught me so much about the instrument itself in the short time I have been on.

From John Cadd
Posted on May 27, 2012 at 12:56 PM

Do you check the vibrating string length regularly to make sure the new one won`t snap ? The mellowness maybe came from a weakness in the previous bridge. The weakness could have been caused by the stress of bending . Maybe a softer bridge gives a mellower sound . Makers combine hard backs with soft bellies to give the sound they need . It`s all a balancing act . As a bending bridge leans towards the scroll the edges of the feet are pressing the belly a bit further away from the soundpost . That all comes into it . Just check your string length each week .

From Smiley Hsu
Posted on May 27, 2012 at 01:45 PM

If you've had the violin for 2 months and the sound is too bright, then I would suggest getting it adjusted. From my experience, problems with a fiddle generally do not get better over time. They just bother you more and more. I would go back to the same luthier to see what he can do. He might be willing to help you out for little or no money since you are not pleased with the result.

From Smiley Hsu
Posted on May 27, 2012 at 01:47 PM

BTW, dominant are great strings. That's what I use. If you try to fix the problem with new strings, you might spend more on strings than if you fix the root problem.

On the scene: Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies

Violinist.com editor Laurie Niles wraps up her coverage of the 2013 Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies, held at The Juilliard School in New York.

New custom bridge recently

On the scene: Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies

Sponsors