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Honorary advisor
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I was just tuning my violin when the bridge snapped clean in half, horizontally. I think my strings might've been too tight but the notes that I tuned them to were in the right octave so I don't see why this would've happened. Biggest shock ever when it snapped and I was still holding my violin by the chin. Opinions and suggestions welcomed.
Was the bridge perfectly vertical?
What kind/brand of bridge?
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Yea it was straight. I set it a few weeks ago and I remember checking it recently too. I don't know what brand it is, it's not written but its just a regular bridge that came with my violin. I think it might be because of my new strings, perhaps...
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Chinny, this has never happened to me in my life but I have a feeling I know why it happened. How often do you check to see how straight the bridge is? Chances are that you didn't over tighten your strings. I've seen new students that have tightened strings to the point that I'm surprised that they could even get them so high and plenty who have broken strings by over tightening. Most likely your bridge was leaning one way or another. A bridge has incredible strength in the 100% upright position but is much weaker if leaning or warped. When you put the two pieces together is the bridge perfectly straight or warped? I also don't like when a bridge is cut or sanded on one side, they should be evenly cut on both.
New Bridges are very cheap but they must be fitted to the belly of your violin and the correct hight and curve as well. Do you have a violin shop nearby? There is usually a dealer or shop that takes care of school violins at the very least.
Another alternative is that you buy a new bridge and learn to fit it yourself or get help from someone you know that works well with wood. It is very important that you get the feet to form the top as perfectly as possible. First you can place the bridge in the right spot to check where you need to cut away with a real sharp knife, next you can place some fine sandpaper (180-320) in the right location. Keeping the bridge perfectly straight and perpendicular slide it back and forth with small careful movements so as not to travel to the wrong spot on the belly and not round the feet.
Secondly, the bridge should be thinned out a little as your former bridge probably was. You can also copy the curve from your broken bridge if you were happy with it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Yea I'm planning to to go a music store tomorrow and get them to sort it out for me. I'm taking the car so that I can get around, beware, Perth citizens, hazardous inexperienced driver on the road. LOL!
I didnt check my bridge when I put the new strings on it so maybe it moved a bit then, possibly. Looking at the two pieces, the bridge was still straight.
And Barry, that sounds nasty! I hope that never happens to me 
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Good luck with the traffic. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Yeah it sounds like the bridge got out of position. You mentioned in one of your posts that you have not changed strings in 5 years or so.
Try driving on the right side of the road and tell the police you learned to drive in NY.
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Thanks, I live in Perth, our traffic is minimal so I should be okay. Haha I think I'll keep left. Don't want to crash mums car when shes not in town.
Yea I also just changed my strings less then a week ago though :S Its been fine all these years :'( RIP bridge.
Edit: Store was closed. Will visit on Monday
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So Chinny is home alone. Having fun?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Honorary tenured advisor
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Party at Chinny's house!
Chinny, Good luck!
Kevin M. said:
Try driving on the right side of the road and tell the police you learned to drive in NY.
I think in Australia drivers (Malaysia, brunei, and singapore, too, New Zealand??) drive on the left side:)
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I'm not home alone. My brother sister dog bird and fish are here too. But yes I seriously need to party. Ive studied to the point where I cant motivate myself to study anymore even though I still have tests and all.
And yes pky we drive on the left here. I havent driven in a while and I accidentally ran a red light today >< This is why mum should let me drive more, so that I remember what things to look out for when Im on the road 
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Nope I dont really touch my bridge and it's lasted me all these years. I just went to the more reasonable music store today. They said it'll take about a week and probably cost me around $120 AUD. Also, I bought a wolf shoulder rest for $50 and apparently Kun ones cost ~$60. So much money involved! 
I really need a job.
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$120 for a bridge!!!!!
I've always gone to the most reputable luthiers in the area and sometimes even traveled very far to get to an even better one but never have I heard of paying that much for fitting a bridge.
You live in an expensive country. What are average salaries there?
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Random fact; In Paris they license busking on the metro (underground) it is rigorously policed and I believe licenses are highly prized.
on topic; I am being charged the equivalent of 95AUD for a new bridge and that is a 'cash' price from a freelance luthier.
The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese!
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Fiddlerman said:
You live in an expensive country. What are average salaries there?
And that was when I went to the more reasonable music store too. Um minimum wages here are supposedly $8 an hr. Violin typed stores are a rarity so maybe they put the prices up? :S
Busking counts as a casual job too right? But I think people are more likely to pay me to stop playing ><
I don't directly know any luthiers. Only 2 main violin shops here: 1 thats seriously overpriced and the other is a bit of a drive away (thats the one i went to today because I managed to steal the car)
Things I do for my violin!
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That's dedication for you.
Maybe it's a good career consideration for you Chinny considering their prices and all. Any interest in learning the trade??? Being able to play the violin is a big advantage in the business. Our luthier in Miami is a Cellist. I don't know how much time he has to play anymore though.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Haha maybe hey but I think I'll just stick to playing for fun atm. I'm fairly sure I'll want to work as a miner first then maybe get some luthier skills later on in life as an additional hobby?
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