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Thread: Bridge Lube

  1. #1
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Bridge Lube

    What are your thoughts on lubing up your bridge slots? Worth it? Any effect?
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  2. #2
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bridge Lube

    I do it while doing string changes. I also lube the nut slots. I use graphite from a pencil.

    I do this cause it's the way I was taught and its not doing harm I guess.

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Bridge Lube

    The strings tend to dig into the bridge so I am not sure it helps all that much. It can't hurt though. The main thing is to get a good ramp.
    Robert Fear
    http://www.folkmusician.com

    "Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't.
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  5. #4
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bridge Lube

    Compared to the nut the strings remain almost static on the bridge whereas they have to slide through the nut each time you tune the instrument

  6. #5
    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Bridge Lube

    Quote Originally Posted by OneChordTrick View Post
    Compared to the nut the strings remain almost static on the bridge whereas they have to slide through the nut each time you tune the instrument
    Almost static, but there is still movement at the bridge. Pencil graphite is my chosen product as well. I have seen fiddle players have the collapsing bridge syndrome when tuning up because the strings drag on the bridge as they are brought to pitch and suddenly the bridge collapses as it is tilted too much by the strings. Fiddlers need to keep checking that their bridges remain vertical as the strings are tensioned. Mando bridges are lower and break angle is less, but the strings can still grip in the slots and then release later.
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

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  8. #6
    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: Bridge Lube

    On violin there are only four strings and the edge is thin so with each tuning up the upper edge bends a little just between adjacent strings and when those aretuned up the bend follows so at the end whole edge is forward.
    On mandolins with 8 strings and very stiff bridge so this doesn't work the same way. On mandolins the wound strings are typically jammed in the slots and won't move too freely so result is some difference in tension between bridge and tilpiece and working part but mostly on thicker strings only little on unwound and combined with thicker base the tencdency is less than on violins. In most cases when bridge is tilted, it happened during re-stringing or shortly thereafter when all strings needed radical tuning up. Usually it is exagerrated when the fit of thumbwheels on posts is somewhat loose or holes in saddle are oversized.
    I forgot to say that I don't lube bridges made of wood because the ebony is smooth enough and oily and the wound strings will compress the wood under windings anyway after some time.
    Adrian

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