Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 Excellent method for fitting bridges quickly and accurately : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgYezf7AkBE Some wonderful violins on that site, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davide Sora Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 The second comment below the video identifies the critical issues well: Andi ArcoStringsAsia Bridges should be cut by hand with a knife... please don't do it this way... If you need more info., please contact me directly. Doing this way will 'damage the Varnish' at the bridge area plus where the wheel touches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Preuss Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 If the guy had Rene Morel standing in his back he’d be stabbed (at least verbally) might work on brand new cheap instruments well enough. David Burgess posted some ‘more genius’ methods quite a while ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringcheese Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 This thing does NOT work. The thickness of the sandpaper changes the curvature of the top as compared to the bottom of the bridge feet. In addition, there are other variables on a specific violin. Learn to do it right. As David said, with a knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobsaunders Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 24 minutes ago, Andreas Preuss said: David Burgess posted some ‘more genius’ methods quite a while ago. Violin bridge fitting — with a sawzall! : lingling40hrs (reddit.com) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 28 minutes ago, Andreas Preuss said: David Burgess posted some ‘more genius’ methods quite a while ago. These were my satires on fitting bridges this way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1XXuo3hv6U and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijfo8MpbAus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Mark Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 I had the only copy of instructions for bridge fitting using only an axe and water wheel (unfortunately, it was handwritten into an old Cremonese bible that was since destroyed in a fire). I've spent years becoming a master with this technique which is the secret of the Old Masters tone. You want to use a machine? Where's your pride? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle duke Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 I see it as this - "while one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Burgess Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Dr. Mark said: I had the only copy of instructions for bridge fitting using only an axe and water wheel (unfortunately, it was handwritten into an old Cremonese bible that was since destroyed in a fire). I've spent years becoming a master with this technique which is the secret of the Old Masters tone. You want to use a machine? Where's your pride? Peter Goodfellow somehow gained access to that man(ly)uscript, but unfortunately, some pages were missing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2n1W5THyGQ&t=1s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davide Sora Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 1 hour ago, David Burgess said: These were my satires on fitting bridges this way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1XXuo3hv6U and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijfo8MpbAus I put a comment below the Mr. "shahnazi violins" video, with links to your awesome video tutorials, hopefully he doesn't take them seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davide Sora Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 Unfortunately, some vendors have no qualms about putting up video tutorials showing how to use the Magic Bridge Adapter to boost sales, so we shouldn't be surprised if someone takes them seriously. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqbprPCwoC8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 3 hours ago, Davide Sora said: The second comment below the video identifies the critical issues well: Andi ArcoStringsAsia Bridges should be cut by hand with a knife... please don't do it this way... If you need more info., please contact me directly. Doing this way will 'damage the Varnish' at the bridge area plus where the wheel touches. 2 hours ago, Andreas Preuss said: If the guy had Rene Morel standing in his back he’d be stabbed (at least verbally) might work on brand new cheap instruments well enough. David Burgess posted some ‘more genius’ methods quite a while ago. I understand there is risk to the varnish, though it could be easily mitigated. For cheap instruments ( schools / rentals ) it's a quick method with what appears to be excellent results. I am not "advocating" it - I am simply presenting it. Cutting the feet with a knife might be the superior and correct method provided one has the skill. With insufficient skill it is surely worse than sandpaper. And by the way, some TOP ( and lesser...) makers use rotary sanders for the sound post. Nobody's perfect.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 3 hours ago, Andreas Preuss said: If the guy had Rene Morel standing in his back he’d be stabbed (at least verbally) Seen you ever Morel fitting a bridge ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 1 hour ago, Carl Stross said: I understand there is risk to the varnish, though it could be easily mitigated. For cheap instruments ( schools / rentals ) it's a quick method with what appears to be excellent results. I am not "advocating" it - I am simply presenting it. Cutting the feet with a knife might be the superior and correct method provided one has the skill. With insufficient skill it is surely worse than sandpaper. And by the way, some TOP ( and lesser...) makers use rotary sanders for the sound post. Nobody's perfect.... One artist I worked for in my youth suggested: Try not to stare at bad art... better it doesn't get in your head and become acceptable. I think the same goes for bad technique. I understand the need for haste with mass rentals, but I think i'll just not look. I'll feel better. 1 hour ago, Carl Stross said: Seen you ever Morel fitting a bridge ? I believe Andreas (as well as two or three others who post here) worked in the shop with Rene, so I'd assume the answer was "yes". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 12 minutes ago, Jeffrey Holmes said: One artist I worked for in my youth suggested: Try not to stare at bad art... better it doesn't get in your head and become acceptable. I think the same goes for bad technique. I understand the need for haste with mass rentals, but I think i'll just not look. I'll feel better. Well, how does one know what's "bad art" ? Is it just a feeling ? We've had a couple of opinion reversals. As I said, I understand this may not be the right way. For cheap rentals/school instruments might be better than nothing as the work often needs be done by somebody unqualified and ... for free. On the other hand it would be nice if yourself or somebody else with superior expertise would explain in detail how to do it RIGHT. I looked all over MN ( have it ALL d/loaded ) and could find no such explanation. Bits and pieces, yes. Finer details, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane88 Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 Carl, If you use this device to fit student bridges you'll never learn to do it with a knife. If you do lots of student bridges with a knife, the skills come quickly, painfully, but quickly, provided you know how to correctly sharpen a bridge knife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 25 minutes ago, Jeffrey Holmes said: I believe Andreas (as well as two or three others who post here) worked in the shop with Rene, so I'd assume the answer was "yes". I'd rather bet on the answer being "no". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 Just now, duane88 said: Carl, If you use this device to fit student bridges you'll never learn to do it with a knife. If you do lots of student bridges with a knife, the skills come quickly, painfully, but quickly, provided you know how to correctly sharpen a bridge knife. I'm just a tinkerer. For my very limited needs I use a Dremel and a small rasp as my hands are not stable enough to use a knife. Otherwise, I am sure you are absolutely right. I think we should be open minded and not overly dismissive of different approaches. Often, excellent results can be achieved through quite different methods. And by the way, it would be nice if somebody will explain how to correctly sharpen a bridge knife. I'm sure I have seen something related on MN but can't find it at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin swan Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 16 minutes ago, Carl Stross said: I'd rather bet on the answer being "no". How much money would you like to lose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 2 minutes ago, martin swan said: How much money would you like to lose? None at all, obviously. Have you seen Morel fitting a bridge ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerardM Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 4 hours ago, uncle duke said: I see it as this - "while one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior". Duke is that your own personal quote? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Holmes Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 53 minutes ago, Carl Stross said: I'd rather bet on the answer being "no". Whatever Carl. I'm sure Andreas can answer for himself. I have seen a number of bridges bearing Rene's own brand stamp, so I'm pretty sure he knew how to do it pretty well... and your inquiry to Andreas has little of merit in when discussing the virtue of a sandpaper method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Violadamore Posted January 8, 2022 Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 5 hours ago, Carl Stross said: Excellent method for fitting bridges quickly and accurately : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgYezf7AkBE https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/gag+me+with+a+spoon IMHO, sanding the feet, even with a jig, never gets them completely fitted, so they won't sit as solidly as cut feet. I was introduced to this abominable practice, and the icky little appliance associated with it, by the music-store owner (and primarily an electric guitar maker) that I first absorbed any violin luthiery from. He also sold me a manual full of similar barbarisms, which I haven't seen in years (hopefully, it's lost for good). I have totally cut my bridges for over a decade now. For those who have one of the scooty-things cluttering up their tool box, it can be used as a vise for holding bridges while you cut on them. It also has some uses in holding tools, while you sharpen them. Waste not, want not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 Just now, Jeffrey Holmes said: Whatever Carl. I'm sure Andreas can answer for himself. I have seen a number of bridges bearing Rene's own brand stamp, so I'm pretty sure he knew how to do it pretty well... and your inquiry to Andreas has little of merit to add to the discussion of the virtue of a sandpaper method. I've no doubt he knew how to do it pretty well - he was a famous restorer/adjuster . Andreas mentioned Morel : am curious if he was doing anything special, anything ( even slightly !) different, worth imitating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Stross Posted January 8, 2022 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2022 4 minutes ago, Violadamore said: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/gag+me+with+a+spoon I was introduced to this abominable practice, and the icky little appliance associated with it, by the music-store owner (and primarily an electric guitar maker) that I first absorbed any violin luthiery from. He also sold me a manual full of similar barbarisms, which I haven't seen in years (hopefully, it's lost for good). I have totally cut my bridges for over a decade now. For those who have one of the scooty-things cluttering up their tool box, it can be used as a vise for holding bridges while you cut on them. It also has some uses in holding tools, while you sharpen them. Waste not, want not. Indeed, I too discovered it is used quite a bit. Here I found a video with the ( hopefully ) accepted procedure : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQiuKpLZEF4 I am not arguing the superiority of the "accepted" procedure. I'm simply saying that the "scooty-thing" might be useful in certain situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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