DC writ:
"One must admit that treble notes are a problem for Z builders
anyway, as Bill J once pointed out to me - pointedly.  I imagine
that the bent, not sawn, bridge curve is a major source of this
problem, which can benefit from some elaborate work-arounds not
applicable to an existing instrument."


I sure don't remember what I might have said, tho it can't have been
much since I have very little experience with Z-box builders and none
at all with building them. I am at a loss why a bent bridge would be at
fault. I would never consider going back to sawn bridges. I do not bend
the finished bridge, but a clean planed rectangular section of width
and height, the bottom toothed for gluing. I afterwards glue on the
block for the tail bend, cut out the tail curve, and then saw the
beveled face off on the tilted bandsaw and finish it with blockplane,
spokeshave and whatever is necessary -  but no sandpaper. I plane the
top bevel after gluing the bridge on. After sawing off the bevel, the
bridge twists somewhat forward, but not too much to be forced down
while gluing, and I am convinced that this twist forward, acting
against the side bearing of the stringband, is advantagous, allowing
both a little more bearing and a thinner board along the liner. Of
course, italianate moulded bridges are finished before bending.
One can see that I would never wittingly imply a sawn bridge to be
better. On the contrary.

regards,

Bill

http://www.william-jurgenson.com