Getting used to different bridges

Edited: February 15, 2021, 4:29 AM · Is this a common problem?

You are forced to play on a different instrument for a while but the bridge has very slightly different curvature from your normal instrument's bridge, and you just can't get the hang of it?

My Breton is at a friend's house and I'm playing my Gewa, and I'm accidentally hitting the D string far more than usual when I bow the A string. If I tilt the static bow (or very slowly downbow) from D to A to E, there's sufficient roundness to the bridge, but possibly the A string sits a tiny bit lower than the Breton's?

So I should get used to it eventually, but it's annoying the hell out of me.

Replies (8)

Lyndon Taylor

February 15, 2021, 4:40 AM · Its a common problem on violins that aren't set up properly!!

Gordon Shumway

February 15, 2021, 5:48 AM · Well, I was trying to pre-empt that response. The same guy set up both my Breton and my Gewa.

Lyndon Taylor

Edited: February 15, 2021, 6:54 AM · who is this guy?? maybe he's not the best??? or more likely it was set up for one brand of strings and you tried something different, like Al vs silver D string which have different diametre

Paul Deck

February 15, 2021, 7:28 AM · I surmise that the two instruments were set up for different brands of rosin.

As to the original question, I am sorry to say that the answer is probably "try harder."

Lyndon Taylor

February 15, 2021, 7:33 AM · Lowering the e string or the d string a tiny amount would probably fix the problem, it needs to be tested with an accurate curvature gauge with the strings you prefer.

Gordon Shumway

February 15, 2021, 10:17 AM · I may lower the D and G strings one day in the very distant future.
Conversely, I may slip a piece of vellum under the A string to raise it.
Anyway, I've just gone and got my Breton back, so I'll be able to do direct comparisons.

Rich Maxham

February 15, 2021, 10:45 PM · Without seeing the instruments it’s hard to exactly identify the cause of the problem. It could be that one bridge has a flatter curve unintentionally and that is throwing things off. It’s also possible that the bridges have the same curvature but the A string groove is a little too deep in one. There’s also a possibility that one violin’s neck has more tilt than the other, making the level of the bow arm for each string a little different for each violin.

Not having all the information, I’d prefer not to crucify the luthier prematurely.

Gordon Shumway

Edited: February 16, 2021, 8:04 AM · Yes, I think the A string groove is too deep. I'm going to slip a little bit of paper under it.