Should the Bridge Be Perpendicular to the Top?

[Soupy1957]

I noticed that the angle of the bridge on my LM-600 was slightly (a few degrees) favoring the nut side. So I shrugged my shoulders, loosened the strings and turned it around.

Luckily it still lays flat on the top, (didn't see any obvious gaps) and now it appears more perpendicular, but I wondered...........is it really better to be perpendicular and not angled toward the nut? Why?

I know folks SAY that it's better..........just wanna know "why" like a little kid, cause that's just me.

[Hans]

I try to set the bridge just a hair off perpendicular toward the tailpiece. Why? Keeps the bridge from leaning forward. :grin:
Some builders say to bisect the angle over the bridge, but that looks a bit steep to me. I just go by intuition...many a time I've seen a bridge that has been perpendicular to the top or slightly leaning forward leave a less than solid footprint on the top. Lean it back just a bit and the footprint is solid.

[Ravenwood]

If the bridge isn't perpendicular, then over time the pressure from the strings can bend it further and eventually cause it to break. It can also cause some damage the top by placing more pressure on one edge of the feet than the other. This is less of a problem with non-adjustable bridges than adjustables.

[Soupy1957]

Fortunately, after I turned the bridge, the footprint seemed solid between the bridge and the top, and I managed to put the bridge back in the location that gave me no sharp or flat conditions on the twelveth fret. (I lucked out).

[Big Joe]

Just make sure the saddle is not on backwards now. It may have been on backwards to begin with. If it leans forward you can take firm hold of the bridge and just pull it back straight. It is pretty common for them to lean forward a bit especially after string changes. It is part of normal maintenance to pull the bridge back up straight.

[Soupy1957]

Big Joe: Yep, I checked the top piece to ensure that the grooves for the correct strings, were oriented as they should be. (I only remembered to do that, after flipping the bridge around, and was in the process of sliding the bridge under the loosened strings, and noticed the grooves were incorrect..........so essentially, I caught myself).

[mandroid]

Maybe base can be rotated , top of the adjustable left in its notched match.

[re fitted as part of a set up, and sanded to precisely march the shape, would need be done, perhaps?
no rocking the bottom !
StewMac tool clamps bridge in a roller carriage to make quick work out of doing it accurately and frequently... shop tool

the shape of the arch differs , for example, dome looks like it's highest point is just past the bridge,
on my Lebeda , only 'F' I own,


A4 , otoh, bridge-base sits atop the summit..


there are 2 triangles involved :confused: the bridge the short side of both.

YMMV:popcorn:

[Lefty Luthier]

I have found that having the bridge lean tailpiece ways a tiny bit before beginning to tighten the strings to pitch generally brings the bridge vertical as pressure on the soundboard increases. Keep in mind that the angle of pull favors the lean towards the nut because the tail side pulls downward more while the nut side pulls more straight.

[MikeEdgerton]

Here (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2028&highlight=perpendicular) is some information from a previous thread.

[Soupy1957]

Thanks Mike