Cello Bridge too High?

[Soul Sound]

I've been looking around to see what height my bridge needs to be because it seemed unnaturally high even though it's a medium sized bridge (about 15 mm on the C string and 12 mm on the A string).

 

I was wondering if anyone knew what I need to do to lower it because I have been asked to join the Athens Youth Symphony and my audition for the Governor's Honors Program is coming up and it would probably sound a lot better if my bridge were lower.

 

Please help.

[Cliff Green]

Soul,

Your strings should have clearances at the finger board end of 6mm and 8mm for the A and G strings respectively. You may get lucky and only need a luthier to shorten your bridge and reshape the top. This needs to be done by someone who has the knowledge and tools to do it right.

[JBertholdo]

As Cliff says, this could be easily done by a luthier. But keep in mind that sometimes the the neck angle is too low, in that case would be a much serious job, the neck must be removed and glued back with the correct angle.

 

Choose wisely where you take your cello, a competent luthier will know what need to be done.

[Jeff White]

You may get lucky and only need a luthier to shorten your bridge and reshape the top. 

He states this because the reason for your string height  may vary.  For instance, if you neck angle is too low, you will have this string height, but taking down the bridge will make it easier to play, but will  change your angle over the bridge (string angle)most likely giving you a loss of quality in sound.  If your measurement of what you state, and the reason is that your fingerboard is "diving", then lowering your bridge will make the instrument unplayable in alol but the highest positions.  Bottom line, you need to find out "why" the action is high first.  A pro really needs to see this. It's just not that simple.  Take it to your local good luthier.   jeff

[Mark Murphy]

Agree with everyone here. Find a qualified professional - (s)he will be able to tell you what is wrong with your instrument/its setup.

 

 

 

Mark

[Mark Murphy]

Agree with everyone here. Find a qualified professional - (s)he will be able to tell you what is wrong with your instrument/its setup.

 

 

 

Mark

Also make sure that, if  you get it fixed, the luthier will be able to get the instrument back to you with adequate time to readjust to the different feel your instrument will have.

[Soul Sound]

Thank you guys so much! I'll have it checked out soon.