Violin Bridges

A violin bridge transfers the vibrations of the strings to the top plate while also determining their height and spacing. It is not a finished component that you simply insert: you need to adapt the blank to the arching, fingerboard and scale length of the specific violin. Incorrect shaping impairs the action, intonation and stability.

The size must fit the instrument

A bridge for a 4/4 violin may not fit a smaller instrument or even another model of the same size. The feet must sit on the top plate across their entire surface. Entrust cutting the grooves and thinning the bridge to a luthier.

Check that it is upright when tuning

When you tighten the strings, the bridge can lean towards the fingerboard. A side view will reveal the change, but straightening it under full tension without experience can break the bridge or dislodge the soundpost.

Replacement does not solve every sound problem

A weak response can also be related to the strings, soundpost, seam or your technique. Choose a new bridge only after diagnosis. Keep the old component as a record of the original dimensions if it is not deformed.

Buy a bridge according to the exact size of your violin and entrust its final fitting to a specialist.