Scan 126
The violin & its story : or the history & construction of the violin, 1905
6 lines. Read by computer on 29 September 2026. Printed page 110. See the scan on archive.org.
1the medium by which the vibrations of the strings are communicated to the body of the violin. Thus, if the bridge is too strong in weight, it is more difficult to set it in vibration, and has a correspondingly less effect upon the belly; if, on the other hand, it is too light, there is a similar defect in the other direction.
3The following is the best way to fit a proper bridge which shall satisfy all the requirements of the instrument:—Prepare a number of bridges of varying weight, some strong and some weak in wood, some of soft and some of hard wood, but all of them made of the oldest and most seasoned material to be obtained, and all finished alike, as to width, so as to meet in this respect the special needs of the particular instrument. This question of width can only be determined by placing the left foot of the bridge exactly over the middle of the bass-bar. When this condition is fulfilled, and the two feet of the bridge are at exactly equal distances from the sound-holes, the right width of the bridge has been found. Then finish off all the bridges at the right height. This depends, as above stated, on the position of the fingerboard and the arching of the violin. The arch of the bridge should be as shown in Fig. 24 (below). Next see that the feet of your collection of bridges are all so shaped as to exactly fit the curve of the belly. Then you can begin trying your bridges one by one till you find the one which brings out the best tone; and in this connection it must be noted that the feet of your bridge must be exactly in a line with the small cuts in the sound-holes.
5In order that the ear may be able to discern the slight differences of tone produced by the different bridges, the changes must be made as quickly as possible. In order to effect these changes without slackening the strings, when you have tried one bridge, put in one half an inch nearer the fingerboard, keeping this one at hand and using it for the same purpose all through. This auxiliary bridge will tighten the strings so that you can take out the bridge you have tried, and put in the next for trial, in a few seconds. Only, be very careful that the sharp edges
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