Different Bridge distances

[jetz320]

I've seen so many pics of guzhengs, and now, I don't know how far I should place my bridges! I've seen pictures where the bridges are in a straight line and some where they are in a line then by the low A, they all get scaterted everywhere. The bridges are placed big distances apart.

Also, why is that? Why are most bridges placed farther apart from each other when you can just tune it to that desired pitch?

[dsouthwood]

My bridges are in pretty much a straight line, but that's because I play only in the key of D. When I learn the G scale I will change them to staggered groups so that I can change keys quickly. Here's how:

In the D scale, the strings are tuned this way:

1..2..3..4...5..6..7..8..9...10.11.12..13..14...15..16..17..18..19...20..21
D..B..A..F#.E..D.B..A..F#..E..D...B....A..F#...E....D....B....A....F#..E...D

To change to the G scale, you need to have gaps between the bridges for strings 4-5, 9-10, 14-15, and 19-20. Then to retune, you need only slide each F# bridge a bit to the right to tune its string to G, and then the strings will be tuned this way:

1..2..3..4...5..6..7..8..9..10.11.12..13..14...15..16..17..18..19...20..21
D..B..A..G..E..D..B..A.G..E...D...B....A..G....E....D....B....A....G....E....D
.
With the gaps between the bridges, it will be easy to shift four bridges to retune between songs, remembering, of course, to lift the string slightly when you do so that the bridge doesn't cut a channel in the sound board (but you knew that).

[jetz320]

Thanks. I don't get why they give the low notes (Strings18-21 or so) so much more space.

[davidmdahl]

jetz320 said:

Thanks. I don't get why they give the low notes (Strings18-21 or so) so much more space.

A bridge in the low end needs to be moved a lot further to make a difference in the pitch compared with the treble. A bridge in the treble only needs to be moved a tiny bit when tuning. Thus you can have a little space between treble bridges and still have room to tune, but you need more space between the bass bridges.

Best wishes,

David