Improved Consistency, Responsiveness, Tone, Sustain, and Clarity
You all probably know this, but replacing a violin bridge does not level-up the character/voice of your instrument and turn an Intermediate violin into an Advanced or Professional one. That is related to the tonewoods and craftmanship of the violin. What it can do is improve one, some, or all of these categories: string consistency, responsiveness, fullness of tone, sustain, and clarity. This bridge made a noticeable improvement in all five categories. I used 120, 180, 400, and 600 grit sandpaper, two woodcut chisels, needle files, painter's tape, calipers, and baking parchment to shape and complete the bridge blank using the old bridge as a template. It took about 2.5 hours going slowly and constantly checking widths and height. The bridge and tools cost around $60 compared to $250 for a local luthier to do it. My 40 year-old Intermediate violin now has no shrill G and A, is easier to play, and sounds clearer and fuller.
