Setting Up a Violin RZN Bridge
In this guide we describe how to set up a RZN bridge on a standard 4/4 violin.
Figure 1: A RZN violin bridge viewed from behind. The g-string notch is pre-cut on the left with the e-string notch barely visible on the far right of the bridge.
Important: RZN bridges are UV sensitive and cure when exposed to natural sunlight or UV lamps. You must ensure the bridge is fully cured for it to operate normally.
Step 1: Prep RZN bridge for Setup:
Remove the new RZN bridge from its packaging. Loosen the strings on your instrument and take down the old bridge. Fit the RZN bridge in place of where your old bridge was and tighten the strings to 1/4 of their normal tension to spot check the fit of your new RZN bridge. Make any fine adjustments to the feet as needed. Take down the RZN bridge.
Allow the RZN bridge to sit in natural light for a minimum of 2-4 hours*. If it is a cloudy day, allow 4-8 hours for the bridge to fully cure. The bridge is now hardened and has darkened slightly. A UV lamp will cure the bridge in 15-20 minutes.
*If you are coloring your bridge, apply alcohol dyes during the initial curing session until the desired color is achieved. Wipe away excess dye before moving on to installation.
Step 2: Setup the Bridge. Your RZN bridge is pre-cut with standard string notch depths and diameters that work with all common strings. The bridge should sit at roughly the midway point between the F-holes or in the same position as the old bridge so that each string runs through its corresponding notch. The bridge should sit at a 90 degree angle to the top of the violin with the bridge feet flush to violin top arch.
You can adjust the sound of the instrument by moving the bridge slightly forwards or backwards from the original position, however ensure that the sound post sits close behind the foot of the e string.
Step 3: Tune up the violin. Starting with the A string followed by the D, G and lastly E string, bring the violin up to full tension using the pegs incrementally and evenly increasing the tension of the strings. Use fine tuners at end.
Ensure the bridge is at a 90 degree angle to the violin top and that the feet are still flush. Allow the bridge to sit for 30 minutes before playing.