Can anyone suggest a good method of raising the string notch on the bridge. Mine has become a little too low on the D and is giving me buzzing half way up the neck. Thanks, Jon.
Thanks JDB (are we related?), I should have been clearer! I play an upright and the wooden bridge has notches where the strings have dug into it a little. On the D, the notch is a little too deep for my liking and I'm wondering how I can fill this in partially to raise the string up slightly. I hope this is clearer...
J
You can use a slip of card (or parchment if you have any!) under the string to raise it temporarily.
For a more permanent fix you can cut the notch right out (about 5mm either side of the notch and as deep as the notch) and replace with a small piece of maple (or other similar wood) cut exactly to shape and glued in place. Then sand smooth and file the nut slot again. I've done this to several bridges and they've stood up just fine.
And the buzzing might be due to something else altogether ...
Raising your string notches would probably not give you any relief from fingerboard buzzing.
Your fingerboard needs a luthier's attention. As part of that setup work they would address your slots.
If you are trying to raise it a small distance for arco or otherwise you could use water thin super glue and a little bit of maple dust, then groom it with a round bottom file around the size of the D string. Larger distances require a graft like MT suggest.
Wood filler is not for use in musical instruments.
I would suggest the real solution to your problem is to have your luthier do a setup. There is very little change to be had in filling a string slot. If it has been some time since your last or you have made major string or playing changes the instrument should be refit to your style.
Depending on how desperate you are, you can pack strips of adhesive moleskin in there until you build up a bit of a pad. I did this on an instrument at school that I could not get a setup on (on the G string though) and it did not muffle the sound noticably. Then you also avoid rattle from an improper filed slot, as it pads the string.
