When planing a bridge top for downbearing I've always heard that you need to have a string (pulled tight between forward speaking length and hitch pin) touch the speaking edge of the bridge top first, and then the rear. But by how much? Should the angles be equal? If there is going to be a little error, which way is least destructive? You could have a relatively low bridge and the string just barely touch the bridge front before the rear and have the desired downbearing. But you could also have the exact same downbearing with a bridge that is excessively high, but the bridge cap slopes downward from the speaking side to the hitch pin side. There has got to be some general optimal relationship here. What should the relationship be? Terry Farrell
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