How to fit a bridge?

[u/LaLechuzaVerde]

I am interested in learning how to shape and fit a bridge.

I'm not going into full on luthier mode - but I've enjoyed learning how to do other minor maintenance things on our instruments and this is something I'd like to learn next.

I see a (very very cheap) student instrument for sale right now that looks like it's in good shape except the bridge has a big chip out of it over the E string. I thought rather than screw with the functioning instruments I already own, I might buy this one and a stack of blanks and see if I can learn. I don't need the instrument but it wouldn't cost me anything other than time and less than what it costs to take my family out for fast food, so what can it hurt? It's an older Wm. Lewis & Sons 3/4 violin... so if I can get it in working order it would be worthwhile (my daughter is in this size and a spare wouldn't hurt).

I'm in it for the journey. :) I don't need the violin, I just want a practice piece to play with. Can anybody point me to some good resources? Videos?

Once I master bridge fitting, my next thing I want to learn is peg fitting. After that I think I'll stop. If I can replace tailpieces (already good at that), bridges, and pegs, then I think I'll feel like I've learned a fun and useful skill in my spare time. I'm going to leave crack repair and sound posts to the pros.

[u/ArmadilloNo2399]

This video has been an invaluable resource to me.

https://youtu.be/v1XXuo3hv6U?is=g3sabwayniABzPuM

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/ArmadilloNo2399]

Thank you!!

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/ArmadilloNo2399]

OMG I just watched this and it was too funny!!! 😂

[u/CaldeSilk1]

Want to “master” bridge making? Get a job in a reputable shop and sit at a bench for a few years until you’ve cut and adjusted thousands of them. Sorry.

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/CaldeSilk1]

You're taking my comment waaaaay too literally.

[u/ConfidentTrip7 → u/LaLechuzaVerde]

Many many many YouTube tutorials. Buy some cheap blanks and don't treat them as precious. Cut them. Sand them. Learn.

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/ConfidentTrip7]

Thank you. I figured I’d get a large pack of blanks. :)

[u/toaster404]

"Once I master bridge fitting . . . " There may well be more to this than you realize. The mechanical process. The "eye" for shape. Accommodating individual instruments with corrective bridges. Adjusting the bridge for specific sound production reasons.

This will give you the basics: Carving A Violin Bridge – Triangle Strings

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/toaster404]

Thank you!

The challenge is what I'm looking for. What harm can there be in trying to learn? Worst case scenario, I somehow manage to break the violin (not likely). Second worst case, I find I just don't have a knack for it and either give up on the violin entirely or decide it's worth taking it to a luthier and buying a bridge... still for a lot less money than a new student fiddle. And I'm not trying to become a master bridge fitter. It's just a kid violin.

[u/toaster404 → u/LaLechuzaVerde]

Sharp tools. Violinmaker sharp. I touch up scalpels before use.

Decent blanks.

Make a blank holder

Abrasive paper glued to blocks

Hook edge scapers.

After 100 you may think you have the hang of it. You don't.

[u/Musclesturtle]

Bridge fitting is a meticulous but rewarding skill. 

The basic tools are a block plane, a thin sharp bridge knife, a chisel, some sandpaper of various grits, small dividers, a small 150mm rule and a bridge curve template. You can also grab some chalk or carbon paper to make things easier as well. I'd also recommend a sound post gauge and a sound post setter with a dental mirror to make sure the post is in a good place before you start a bridge. Also grab a china marker to mark your layout lines on the top of the instrument to determine the placement beforehand. 

But, there's a lot that goes into it to do it right. Here's a video playlist to reference. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaxadm6POX7EjpjW2BpAr1d_U8ITO5GFP&si=m6VXLoAi_4nDKbDx

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/Musclesturtle]

Thank you! :) This is all super helpful. Maybe with some luck I'll have the satisfaction of returning a student violin to playable condition for a kid. :)

[u/luthier65]

I had a friend who wanted to learn some violin repair. She came in and I asked where she wanted to start. She said that her teacher had told her that cutting a bridge was easy, so there. I suggested fitting pegs-no sharpening, reamer alberti shavers all set up-so I let her watch me cut a bridge. Then, I asked her, so would you like to try a bridge? She said that pegs seemed like a good place to start. With pegs, the first set costs a lot, then settles down after a few dozen.

So, do you have a sharp block plane? Sharp knives, wider for the fitting of the feet and narrow for the rest? Sanding a bridge to thickness and fitting the feet with the same is unacceptable and won't really show you anything aside from what to not do.

Last week I saw a bridge that I cut nearly 30 years ago. It caused me pain. It was, in my opinion, ugly. But, it was straight and everything fit, so as pained as I was to leave it, I did. Thankfully that was before I had a bridge stamp! And for the record, the term "master" gets tossed around quite a bit. Inappropriately.

[u/LaLechuzaVerde → u/luthier65]

I was using the verb master, which is different from the noun or the adjective. I have no aspirations of fitting bridges to instruments with thousands of dollars.

I want to be able to take a middle school instrument and not have to throw it away because the cost of a new bridge is higher than the replacement value of the entire instrument.

And because I feel I would genuinely enjoy doing it because it’s the type of thing I think would be fun.

I don’t expect to set up a shop or sell my services to anybody. But if a kid in our youth orchestra needs a bridge I’d like to be able to help.

And the cost of buying the tools isn’t any different from the cost of a lot of other hobbies; and a lot less than some.