Bridge Work

For the past two days, I have been trying to tune my cello after the bridge collapsed. I probably could have avoided the headache of it all if I had just found Robert Cauer's web site right away, but I didn't.

The bridge didn't snap, fortunately, but it did completely go out from under the strings, leaving the strings flapping against the fingerboard and the saddle turned askew. When I went to place it back in position, I realized I had no idea where it went or even which direction it faced.

There are scuff marks on the body of the cello indicating where a bridge once rested but it spans a one-inch range. And there are notches on the bridge where each string has always pressed, but the bridge has no maker writing or other signs of directionality.

Sitting there, holding the asymmetrical and fancifully scrolled piece of wood in my hand, I had a ridiculous smile on my face. This would be another great Suzuki re-discovery moment.

"I don't know how to do this," I thought. "But I can learn!"

Looking back, I could strangle myself.

The first time, I positioned the bridge I just kind of threw it on there roughly where the scuff marks were. The result was OK, but I just couldn't seem to get the G-string sounding right. It rattled, among other things.

I removed the bridge and tried again, this time trying to line up the bridge more precisely with the notches on the f-notes on the body of the cello. This time the notes seemed right, but the strings emitted a sound like they were choking. Very dull, with little resonance.

(I later realized I had tuned the strings an octave too high; I'm lucky I didn't snap the bridge.)

I began to wonder if it was possible I had the bridge on backwards. So, I loosened the strings, removed the bridge again and flipped it around. This time, the cello tuned up nicely. The A practically jumped off the fingerboard and shook my hand. But I knew the bridge couldn't be right. For starters, I couldn't play my G without bumping the C or the D , and the A was way too high off the fingerboard.

I knew I had to loosen the strings and remove the bridge again. I am sure a violin- or cello-maker would have cringed at the constant moving of this bridge. And, as he or she would warn, I was starting to notice the resulting wear and tear on my strings.

That little rasp on the G-string? Getting louder. My more fragile A and D strings appear to have tiny cracks in the steel near the points where they (historically) rest on the bridge.

I am confident I finally have the bridge in the right (or good enough) spot now. After another hour or so of tuning, I think I might just get it back in tune. Now, if the strings don't unravel, it should all turn out fine.