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INDIAN MUSIC FORUM ARCHIVES: Sitar Forum: Worn Out (Bridge Groove)

 

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Jeff
Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 05, 2003 09:47 a.m.

I posted a little while back that my MPS sounded sort of dead, well upon closer inspection I noticed my 1st string ate a groove right underneath itself.
I know this is normal,,, But I've only had this sitar for just under 1 year and its not like I play this sitar every day. There has been times when I have'nt touched it for a couple of weeks. I moved the string over to the extra string slot so its sounding "just dandy" now.
The BIG question is?:-):-)? Should it have worn out so quickly? I'm guesstimating I have only about 80 hours on this sitar, maybe.
What is the normal rate of wear for a bone bridge? 50 hours? 80, 100 hours? Does anyone know?
Whelp! thats it for now, see-ya.
Russ
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 05, 2003 03:35 p.m.

Wow. 80 hours is pretty quick. What key is your Ma tuned to? Even at C#, you shouldn't see a deep groove for a couple of hundred hours playing time. One old trick is to sprinkle some graphite from a pencil lead under the string. That will slow down wear by giving the string more lubrication against the bridge.
Jeff
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 05, 2003 03:56 p.m.

Hidey ho there Russ, I always tune the Ma to C. I put graphite on it when I first got it, but I'll do it more often now.
A couple of hundred hours huh, maybe the bone on this particular bridge is softer than usual.
Russ
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 05, 2003 07:05 p.m.

Well, Hidey Ho Mr Hanky. . .oops, never mind.
He don't play sitar. .

Can't say much about standardization of camel bone. Just a natural material, and some are bound to be tougher than others. And to think these things used to be made of ivory long ago! Maybe try out one of those ebony wood bridges? A couple of 3 people on here can hook you up. Sounds like that material just might work better than bone.
Neal
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 06, 2003 09:46 a.m.

Hey all, when my teacher was redoing my bridge he commented on how the bone was poor quality. It was "porous" in parts. If you have a porous section right where the MA string is that may be the problem. He also noted how there wasn't alot of bone in some areas and that you were close to the marrow, which would limits the number of time you could re-do the Jawari. It makes me wonder about that post "who can you trust." I would have expected to get a 'good piece of bone" for my bridge and let this one go on Mangla's second or third tier of instruments? Oh well.
Sitarsrule
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 02:07 p.m.

I found deer horn bridges to be more long lasting, it does sound like it was just too soft. I feel like i'm blowing a trumpet for Lars, but he seems to be the one who can help setup a new bridge for you. I'm still practicing , and I'm no where near able to set bridges without hours of work. . . . . .Peace
kdakan
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 03:56 p.m.

Don't you think that we should substitute something else as an alternative to animal bones being used in our instruments, instruments through which we free our mind and soul? Animals have souls and brains as we humans do and they deserve some respect as we humans do.
Lars
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 06:41 p.m.

Hi. . .thanks for the trumpet BUT I'm not into jawari on a regular basis. I can do some but it's only been because of necessity over the years.
The bridges on the Manglas should be deer horn and not bone. Deer horn can be rather porous in places and it's very hard to get anymore so you have to take what you get usually.
Technically the deer horn is gathered after they are shed. . .but you know how that goes. I'm all for the synthetic bridges, I've used them and like them just fine. . .
Lars
Billy
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 08:03 p.m.

kdakan (Aug 10, 2003 03:56 p.m.):
Don't you think that we should substitute something else as an alternative to animal bones being used in our instruments, instruments through which we free our mind and soul? Animals have souls and brains as we humans do and they deserve some respect as we humans do.

I hearby bequeath to anyone who is able, that they take my bones and use on such beautiful instruments, that these instruments are played with the spiritual respect that we show them, and that by doing so, I cannot think of a better way to show respect to me, that I, in some small way, will be able contribute to the pleasure and spirtuality of those who hear these instruments play, long after I'm gone. I hope someone will find a way to take my bones, before the rest of me is cremated, because I know, once I die, my physical body means nothing, is nothing but a bunch of garbage not worth wasting 1 inch of ground. My soul goes on, and that's what's important. Death, is nothing. Body, is nothing.

Namaste',
Billy Enigmar Godfrey
DaveP
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 08:43 p.m.

Try the black wooden (ebony) bridges.
Nice clear warm sound and jawari lasts well.
Jeff
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 08:46 p.m.

I got first dibs on Billy's skull, I think it would make a cool ashtray!
Jeff
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 08:52 p.m.

Hi DaveP, where can I get one of those ebony bridges and who can do jawari on it? And this question is for Lars, can you order a Srishti with an ebony bridge and what do you think of them?

Thanks.
Jeff
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 08:58 p.m.

And, , , , ,I think someone mentioned something about plastic bridges recently. Whats the story about them?

Thanks again!
Lars
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 09:11 p.m.

Jeff, you can get one any way you want it (within reason). I had a VK style here that was gone within a day but it had an ebony bridge, I like it just fine. Usually to my knowledge they are mostly used on the VK style sitars. . .
Lars
DaveP
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 10:11 p.m.

Hi Jeff

I got my ebony bridges from Radha Shyam Sharma a couple of years back when last in Varanasi.

I do my own jawari (I was taught at Kannailal's way back in the 70's).

Lars is right. Ebony bridges are used more by the VK school and they particulary suit closed jawari (ie minimal buzz), which is my preference, even though I don't really play in the VK style.

The ebony seems to produce a clearer/purer fundamental note with less overtone. The ebony tarab bridge also produces the same clarity.
Russ
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 10, 2003 11:44 p.m.

I admit in the past, I wondered why animal parts are used on instruments from a Hindu culture and belief system. Especially things like leather for tabla heads and straps (aren't Brahmin cattle considered sacred?). Goat skins for sarodes seems to be contrary. But, on second thought, take an example from the American Indians (that nomenclature has got to go). The northern Sioux and Lakotas considered the buffalo as a gift from God (Watonka), as a sacred animal. So, they gave thanks as they killed it, and used every part of its body for a purpose including food, and yes, drum heads. So, look at it like that. Honor it by using it and not wasting it! Personally, I don't eat the meat of any animal, but that's only for health reasons, not religious.
AJ
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 11, 2003 01:36 a.m.

Russ. . . .I don't know if all Hindus are vegetarian, but what I know of this is that some of the ones who are, aren't averse to using the hides, bones, whatever can be salvaged, after the animal has died, not neccesarily from being killed (or maybe, like if a bus hit 'em or something. . .I was thinking originally from old age, they do die eventually), they do wear leather and what not, some of them do, anyways. . .the reasoning is much like you stated about sanctifying what's left and not letting it go to waste. . . . . .
Billy
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 11, 2003 10:47 a.m.

Jeff (Aug 10, 2003 08:46 p.m.):
I got first dibs on Billy's skull, I think it would make a cool ashtray!

Hey, if you can figure a way to do it, (and if you get there first), then go for it! Maybe my skull would get better use after I die than while I was alive!

I already have a Tibetan Damaru, which is a hand drum made from the tops of two human skulls and covered in skin. I also have a Ganlin, a horn made from a human leg bone (the best were made from the leg bone of an 18 year old woman, but I don't think mine is of that quality. A doctor told me the bone looks like it may have come from an elderly person, so it likely was from an elder monk.)

Namaste',
Billy Enigmar Godfrey
Jeff
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 11, 2003 07:32 p.m.

[b]Billy (Aug 11, 2003

I already have a Tibetan Damaru, which is a hand drum made from the tops of two human skulls and covered in skin. I also have a Ganlin, a horn made from a human leg bone (the best were made from the leg bone of an 18 year old woman, but I don't think mine is of that quality. A doctor told me the bone looks like it may have come from an elderly person, so it likely was from an elder monk.)

Thats disgusting! Now excuse me while I eat my head cheese and pork blood sausage sandwich.
Russ
Re:Worn Out (Bridge Groove) Aug 11, 2003 07:59 p.m.

Ohhh geeeeeez! I've lost my apetite. .
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