| Author |
Subject |
Eric
Registered User
(9/20/00 4:36:08 pm)
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Warped
bridge... dangerous?
Hi everyone,
Long time
listener, first time caller..
When I signed on with my new teacher he suggested I use
another bridge, because the current one had the strings too high
over the fingerboard. Anyways, he had several, so we tried one of
his old ones, which worked quite nicely to fix the string profile
over the fingerboard(and the feet fit well over the surface too).
Unfortunately, the bridge is warped(curving at the top towards the
fingerboard). Being a graduate physics student, I can see stress
forces at work, and I fear that if I leave it on for any length of
time, the bridge might snap, causing undue trauma to my nice cello.
Am worrying over nothing? Can some experienced people advise me
please?
Eric
Edited by: Eric
at: 9/20/00 4:36:08 pm
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mcello
Registered User
(9/20/00 7:40:50 pm)
|
Yes, a
warped bridge can be dangerous
I have actually had a bridge snap
before, thankfully I had just put it in the case and didn't get hit
in the face with the fall out. It was a major pain because my sound
post fell and I had to take it in and get it set as well as a new
bridge. Since that experience many years ago, I am careful to keep a
closer eye on the bridge, etc. and take it in to get checked out
before these types of problems occur. I have a great relationship
with a local repair man who does great work. I always keep a stack
of his cards and when anyone asks me who to use, I hand them the
card. In return he gives me great service and takes care of things
for me quickly so that I don't go long periods without my needed
equipment!
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lblake
Registered
User
(9/20/00 10:02:49 pm)
|
Re:
Warped bridge... dangerous?
I would be concerned, too, if it
looks as if it's in a position that it could snap. There's a lot of
pressure there.
I'm glad you asked this, Eric. I'm very
curious about what advice experienced people will give, too. I've
been in the same situation, and I don't know if what I did was
right. What is the RIGHT thing to do in this situation? When I've
noticed my bridge bending or tilting, I took it as a sign that the
grooves aren't lubricated well enough in my bridge, or that I just
didn't watch my bridge carefully enough while installing strings or
re-tuning during extremely cold or humid seasons. So, I've loosened
the strings enough (enough to put more pencil lead in the groove, if
needed) to be able to move my bridge (carefully) under the strings.
I seem to have managed to get it back to a straight and proper
tilt... with feet flat on the top. I was always very careful to
avoid pushing into the cello... it all seems so delicate.
Was
it ok for me to have done that? Or was I being too risky? Or is the
integrity of the bridge already compromised? What say the
experts?
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zambocello
Registered User
(9/21/00 12:44:57 am)
|
warped
bridge
A warped bridge can be dangerous.
But a little warp is not automatically the end of the bridge. Use
your good judgement about the extremity of the warp. I once kept a
warped bridge on my cello for over a year, because the warp was only
a little and I liked the sound and set up of the cello.
Take
into account the angle of the bridge to the belly, based on how the
feet are cut. Often the feet are cut to have the bridge lean ever so
slightly towards the tailpiece because since the string length above
the bridge is longer than the length below, it is easier for the
bridge to tip towards the fingerboard. If your bridge is warping
towards the fingerboard and it is NOT cut to lean a little to the
tailpiece, you may have a higher risk.
Perhaps it would be
good idea to put a cloth under the tail piece and around/under the
bridge when you are not playing until the bridge is
replaced.
Has any one done what i did in my poor student
days? I soaked my warped bridge (to make it plyable) and clamped it
to let it dry straight. It improved the situation for a
little.
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Paul
Tseng ICS Staff 
Administrator
(9/21/00 1:17:38 am)
 |
Re:
warped bridge
I've found that the degree of bridge
warp is directly proportionate to that of my mind!
Erci,
seriously though, it might be a good idea to get a new one cut for
you. No need to panic just yet, but I'd get around to it soon if I
were you.
Paul Tseng, Cello Chat Administrator
Today's Quote
My Website
MP3!
The San Diego Cello Society
Edited by: Paul
Tseng ICS Staff at:
9/21/00 1:17:38 am
|
edi
malinaric 
Registered
User
(9/21/00 1:43:33 am)
|
warped
bridges
Hello all,
Eric, for any of
the advice to be meaningful, please measure the amount of warp. I
have kept my ever-warping bridge in use for the last 50 years. It
steadfastly insisted warping so that the crown was 8mm closer to the
fingerboard than the feet. I would straighten it and it would return
to this degree of warp. I decided that if the warp ever reached 10mm
I would replace it.
I bought a replacement bridge and kept
it on a shelf - in case of need. Well - it's been on that shelf for
about 34 years now and the warp of the original bridge never ever
increased beyond the 8mm bend.
Recently I straightened it
once more and epoxied a thin layer of fibreglas cloth onto the back.
No more warp! The sustain has improved quite markedly
too.
Anyone interested in an unplayed-for-the-last-34-years
Bausch bridge?
So I would say - measure the warp, monitor it
and don't lose too much sleep.
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BA
Registered User
(9/21/00 2:20:17 am)
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Re:
warped bridge
I've had pretty good luck ironing
bridges straight. (Use the steam setting and protect the bridge with
a slightly damp washcloth) Remember- no starch...
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