The perfect String Height

The string height makes part of the sound adjustment since it interferes directly with the angle of the strings over the bridge. But besides this impact you as a musician have to keep up with the consequences. If the string height is too high, on one hand it might hurt for beginners, while on the other it is loved by professionals. As a matter of fact, there is not the correct measurement which fits for everybody worldwide.

Science is helping us and we all know more about the acoustics of bowed string instruments. That’s why we know that a “low bridge” and therefore a string which is less angled over the bridge, increases the sound properties. It is very common among musicians as well as violinmakers thast they believe that a higher bridge increases the sound quality.

of every instrument since the bridge is less kept in one position and can vibrate free in all direction. While if the ridge is rather high a more angel bridge is vibating more only up and down and therefore

Here below my good starting measurements which might fit most of you to guarantee to get the best out of your instrument:

• for Violin: 4 mm on E string, 5.5 – 6 mm on G string.
• for Viola: 4.5 – 5 mm up to 7 – 8 mm.
• for Cello: 4 – 5 mm / 8 – 10 mm.
• for Doublebass: 7 mm up to 12 mm.

Watch my video on the perfect string height: