The little wooden piece on my violin (which I believe is called the bridge) has fallen off. Can I fix it at home or will I just wreck it even more, and therefore should get it fixed at a musical instrument shop? Please reply soon!
2006-10-26 05:28:06 · 12 answers · asked by Lizardy 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Thank you all for your answers! I was really worried that I'd broken my violin indefinitely ^^ I think that my soundpost -has- fallen so I'm going to go to the music shop tomorrow.
Thanks for the advice!
2006-10-26 09:57:17 · update #1
What you describe is indeed the bridge.
For the most part replacing the bridge is not difficult in and of itself, but getting it in precisely the right position can be a bit tricky.
Look at http://www.violinstudent.com/bridge.html for help in placing the bridge, as well as an interesting discussion of how the bridge actually functions. When you are done with that take a look at http://www.violinstudent.com/tips/february/february23.html. The site has a daily violin tip, and February 23's tip involves straightening a bridge. Between the two pages you should be able to place the bridge on the violin fairly well. This will at least get you playing again. If the sound is not right, don't be afraid to take the instrument to your violin shop to have the bridge set up. It should not cost much. In fact, if you buy strings there they might even do it for free! A violin teacher can set the bridge up for you in just a few minutes!
As previously stated, though, and as it says on the tip page, you need to make sure that the soundpost is still standing. This is not something to play around with yourself. If the soundpost has fallen head to the violin shop or to your teacher! I've been playing 40 years and I let the professionals re-place my soundpost when it goes down (actually only happened once . . . but I would not attempt it myself).
Hope this helps!
Art
It Doesn't Matter How You Learned
All That Counts is That You Play!
2006-10-26 09:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by Art@violinstudent.com 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This could easily be fixed, but the soundpost may have become detached inside the violin in which case you would need professional help! If the soundpost is still in place (a post underneath where the bridge goes, but inside the violin) then you should loosen the strings, place the bridge back in its place and then simply tighten the strings again.
2006-10-26 05:42:17 · answer #2 · answered by Musicol 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bridge can be fixed by you. first hold it up and make sure its not warped - if it is take it to a shop. Second look inside the F holes and make sure the sound post is still upright - if it isnt you need to take it it - when the bridge comes off if the violin gets banged then it can knock out the sound post. Nothing is glued its all held on by pressure. If all 4 strings are loosened then the bridge will come off. If all this is ok then put then bridge back in place. Tighten the E string half way, Tighten the G string hald way then the A, D, make sure it is still straight then tighten them in the same order to normal - tune as normal.
hope this helps
2006-10-26 05:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by ice_princess 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tended to leave it to the pros/my teacher - it involves a fair bit of co-ordination to hold the bridge and get all the strings correctly positioned and tightened up again, in tune!
However, the general method is: loosen the strings with the pegs, put the bridge back into position (if it isn't broken, that is), reposition the strings in the right places and slowly tighten them back up. Then you can tune the violin as usual.
However, I'd take it to a store - they're really not going to charge much and they will probably give you some hints in case it happens again in the future.
2006-10-26 05:43:32 · answer #4 · answered by no added sugar 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are experienced and confident in your ability to repair then by all means do. But if not, take it to a repair shop. I wrecked my cello trying to refit the bridge (OK I was about 12 at the time). I can replace it no prob now I've done that many.
2006-10-26 05:33:41 · answer #5 · answered by Daisy the cow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's just the wooden thing that holds up the strings right?
Loosen all the strings, put the bridge in place, and then tighten the strings slowly. It will still move a bit as you tighten initially, but you can adjust it carefully.
I used to do this with my cello, but then everything is bigger and not as fragile. (and it was cheap)
If you are worried, ask your music teacher to help you.
2006-10-26 05:39:51 · answer #6 · answered by bw_r005t3r 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hide glue would be best but the problem is going to be that you need special clamps to hold down the bridge while the glue sets. You may be better off taking your guitar to a good tech instead of trying to do it yourself.
2016-03-28 08:15:41 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get it fixed at a proper shop. Violins are too expensive to be messing around with if you don't know what you're doing.
2006-10-26 05:30:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are an average DIYer then you could do it yourself, if you do'nt feel confident enough most musical instrument shops for a small charge.
2006-10-26 05:38:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do it your self
If it dosent work than take to Violin guy
2006-10-26 05:38:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋