Bridge angle

November 18, 2025, 6:49 PM · Raymond, I’ve seen a luthier simply fold a piece of paper so that at least one corner is 90 degrees. He held it up snug to the BACK of the bridge, resting an adjacent side of it on the top of the violin. If there was no light coming through, it was 90 degrees, like it’s supposed to be. (Not from the front, or fingerboard side of the bridge).

November 18, 2025, 8:10 PM · Any luthier should have about 50 business cards stuffed in his pockets which will do the job.

November 18, 2025, 8:34 PM · I don't like to set the back rear side of the bridge at 90°.
Every time i set more than a violin that way in my opinion sound was less direct.
I usually set bridges a half way between 90° and isometric (equal both sides).

The only secure method I found for keeping track if the bridge stays where i put it, after some time, is to measure with a ruler from the nut to the bridge, E-side, middle of the keyboard, G-side.
I have more or less 327 (-1) mm.

November 19, 2025, 1:29 AM · I keep about half of an expired bank card in the case precisely for this purpose (a whole one is just a little too wide to fit between the bridge and the tailpiece). It used to be a random piece of paper, but plastic can roll around with other bits and pieces and not lose the sharp corner.