Viowiess
Viowiess
0
AOK_3000.jpg

Resources

Stringed instruments mutes that perfectly balance sound fidelity and dampening. Wiessmeyer & Son manufactures a complete line of synthetic, 3D-printed mutes for aspiring and professional violin, viola, and cello players.

Bridge Basics; Selecting the Right Bridge for Your Instrument

Bridge Acoustics

The Bridge Itself:

A lighter bridge works well with thicker violins, especially where the top is thick. A lighter bridge transmits more energy, helps volume, and improves responsiveness.

A thicker bridge works well with thinner violins; especially where the top is thinner. A denser bridge transmits less energy, softens, and adds overtones.

Bridge to Violin Top:

A bridge that fits the curvature of the violin top more precisely also transmits more sound.

Wooden violin tops deviate in curvature because they are usually hand-carved and made out of an anisotropic material - wood.

Soundpost placement, bridge placement, and use will change the instrument top over time.

Bridge to Strings:

The strings transmit energy from the bow through the bridge into the acoustic speaker; aka the body of the instrument.

Strength is very important. On a violin, the bridge bears roughly 22.7 kilograms (50 lbs) of pressure.

The material from which a bridge is fabricated also affects acoustics.

William Wiessmeyer