Violin Forum/Message Board

johngia · Member Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 84

I have a 1/2 size violin that I fitted a bridge to about two years ago. The bridge is now bowed, convex side towards the tail piece. What are the possible causes of this? Can it be straightened, or a must a new one be made?

Jack H. · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 5:47 pm Post subject:

causes of this is too much tuning from the pegs with out enough graphite in the string grooves. What would help is a periodic rubbing of pencil graphite in the string grooves, that will help the strings slip over the bridge instead of pulling the upper part of the bridge towards the fingerboard. Sometimes it needs to be manually pulled back also.
You can wet the concave side, not a lot, and just the concave side and then put it under ( Very close proximity to) an incandescent lamp. ( when it is off the instrument of course) The heat and water will swell the concave side bringing the bridge back into proper shape. this may need to be done more than once.
That said, I fell that the water and heat soften the bridge a little and has a negative affect. this is a temporary fix and you really should make a new bridge, but you can try it out and see how you feel.

Hope it helps.
Jack Havivi
Havivi Violins
Israel

Michael Darnton · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 12:13 am Post subject:

If you wax the string grooves (and you really don't want to do this because of what I say next) you will discover that the forces are such that with no friction against the strings to keep it from moving, the bridge will squirt right out from under the strings, towards the board.

That's why yours bent: it's not a stable setup, and these forces are constantly working to push the top of the bridge that way, and do succeed eventually.

Every single time you play your violin you should make sure the back (tailpiece side) of the bridge is perpendicular to the top, and push it back where it belongs. If you do this your bridge will not warp; if you don't, it will always warp.
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johngia · Member Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 84

Thanks Jack and Michael.

The 1/2 size is my grandson's, and no longer played. He moved up to a full size. I'll fix and store.

Jack, someday I would like to visit Israel --- a desire I've had for a while now.

Michael, 9 years ago, on MIMF, you helped me make my first violin (johngia = John E. Giarrizzo). Craig had "double dog dared" me to not make another. I'm currently working on No 12. You are a blessing to all who are learning the art. Thanks.

Michael Darnton · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:10 am Post subject:

Thanks. It's always nice to hear that someone has benefited from what I've written. These days you might check http://violinmag.com and http://mdarnton.tumblr.com/ for more.
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new blog at my site! http://darntonviolins.com/blog
my work sites: http://darntonviolins.com and http://darntonhersh.com

Jack H. · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 3:04 pm Post subject:

John, when you do make the decision, just give me a call. I'm an American who moved here 7 years ago.

johngia · Member Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 84

Jack, will do.

Violin Repair Guy · Junior Member Joined: 09 Sep 2010 Posts: 13

This was some good info, Thanks. I love this forum.
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Eric Luthier
The Violin Repair Guy