Bridge tuning

ayer

Violin #16 pleases me up to E6. I assume that, on the upper half of the E string, the bridge and soundpost are most important to bring out the bridge hill response.

So, I could do maybe 400 different combinations of bridges and soundpost settings. But clearly violin makers must have a more efficient way to optimize the sound and response.

Here is my current plan:

1. Make three bridges with resonances of about 3600 Hz, 3100 Hz and 2600 Hz.  To measure these frequencies, I will use Joe Curtin's method in which the bridge is clamped in a vice. You flick the bridge corner and record the response.

2. With each of the 3 bridges, I will move the soundpost to maybe 5 different positions and record the bridge tap response, looking for the bridge hill.

3. Which ever bridge works best, I will then make 3 more bridges with frequencies closer to the winner of the first round.

I am confident there is a better way, which I am sure Mnetters will reveal, in the fullness of time.

Suggestions are solicited.  Thanks