bridge Bridge with different thickness for each string

[Niko Luthieria]

I think you guys have already thought about that but

Should Bridge have different thickness for each string?

You know 

Different strings, diferent vibrations, different tensions 

What do you guys think?

[Niko Luthieria]

If anyone already applies this on yours work and don't wanna share your secrets

Just give me a hint where to look and what to consider please

[Mark Norfleet]

22 minutes ago, Niko Luthieria said:

Just give me a hint where to look and what to consider please

I think you should do the experiments and let us know the results! 

[Niko Luthieria]

On 4/30/2025 at 12:12 AM, Mark Norfleet said:

I think you should do the experiments and let us know the results! 

I'm interested in doing this

Looks fun 

If in my college had a area to search thing like this

I would live in side it.

[Don Noon]

On 4/29/2025 at 7:48 PM, Niko Luthieria said:

What do you guys think?

The top half of the standard bridge is pretty much a rigid body across the full frequency range (for lateral vibration, which is the driving direction).  So changing mass and stiffness at each string would seem pointless (to first order) unless you split the top half into 4 semi-independent fingers, one for each string.  Then you're in a completely different situation with lots of interacting modes and questionable structural integrity, which I'm guessing would not be a good thing.

I like to do actual experiments, but I'd pass on this one.

[Andreas Preuss]

On 4/30/2025 at 4:48 AM, Niko Luthieria said:

I think you guys have already thought about that but

Should Bridge have different thickness for each string?

You know 

Different strings, diferent vibrations, different tensions 

What do you guys think?

For experiments in general I developed the attitude first to think about which purpose or aim have in mind. This includes also some sort of assumption I am trying to prove.

Besides, I think Joe Curtin once made saw cuts in between the strings on a bridge. (Not quite the same idea as yours but similar) I vaguely remember that this roughened up the sound on each string. Just making different thicknesses presumably won’t have a big impact as the areas around each notch can’t move independently.

I know a maker who makes the upper edge gradually thicker from g string notch to e string notch to give the strings which have the tendency to cut into the bridge more support. 

[jandepora]

I think in medieval times they try something like this, but it seems that it was made to make playable only certain strings and let the others down in the way that the bow doesn't touch them.

A vielle in Hans Memling’s ‘Angel Musicians,’ Antwerp, 1480s.

[Blank face]

3 hours ago, jandepora said:

I think in medieval times they try something like this, but it seems that it was made to make playable only certain strings and let the others down in the way that the bow doesn't touch them.

A vielle in Hans Memling’s ‘Angel Musicians,’ Antwerp, 1480s.

Or this one from the Schreinzer collection:

[Tim M]

I'm pretty sure you could glue pieces of wood at different places on a bridge and detect changes in string balance and tone. But those pieces would have to be relatively heavy before you'd hear changes. And the mechanism might be more related to weight than thickness and it's effect on flexibility. But sounds like a fun experiment.

 

 

[LCF]

On 5/1/2025 at 3:21 PM, Don Noon said:

The top half of the standard bridge is pretty much a rigid body across the full frequency range (for lateral vibration, which is the driving direction).  So changing mass and stiffness at each string would seem pointless (to first order) unless you split the top half into 4 semi-independent fingers, one for each string.  Then you're in a completely different situation with lots of interacting modes and questionable structural integrity, which I'm guessing would not be a good thing.

I like to do actual experiments, but I'd pass on this one.

I think it would be an interesting experiment for the bridge of an electric violin. Firstly for individual string pickup. But mainly because I have a godawful one of these for practising late at night and I don't really care about how it sounds; but now I'm getting some ideas about how I can change the way it responds so at least it feels a bit like a normal violin. 

[HoGo]

5 hours ago, LCF said:

I think it would be an interesting experiment for the bridge of an electric violin. Firstly for individual string pickup. But mainly because I have a godawful one of these for practising late at night and I don't really care about how it sounds; but now I'm getting some ideas about how I can change the way it responds so at least it feels a bit like a normal violin. 

I believe it's already been done on electric violins and even mandolins. Zeta violins I think.

[Deo Lawson]

A nice violin bridge has a belly which makes it thicker under the A and D strings, although the very top edge is the same thickness all along. I find that adding a belly gives you clarity without stepping into "icepick" territory, since you can comfortably remove more material from the outside edges.

As for the separate bridge finger idea, I've tried something almost like the Zeta bridge as an extreme weight reduction measure in the past. The conclusion I reached was, if the violin is good, it's not needed. If the violin is s###, no amount of fandangling will make it sound good.