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The disadvantage of a floating bridge is that it is easily moved as John pointed out. I've known folks to lose them when changing strings because they took all the strings off rather than doing it one at a time. Also changing strings may move the bridge a little and throw everything off which requires a little time and effort to correct. I've built dulcimers; some with fixed as some with floating bridges. As I builder I prefer the fixed bridge.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song." 

Amazing how a little movement takes it from fire wood grade to fine......

The benefit of a floating bridge for the player is to be able to fine tune the intonation.  As you switch between heavier and lighter strings, for example, slight adjustments to the placement or angle of the bridge will result in better intonation.  The average player doesn't alter string gauge that much or even have an ear precise enough to hear the difference.

I once got a used Blue Lion from someone who thought the whole instrument was "off," but I got it home, adjusted the placement of the bridge and it sounded great.  I still have it!

--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie

My 2 cents....

The "fixed" requires additional work on the builder, slot needs to be cut, insert needs to be correct width and height. And there is little to no forgiveness if you cut the slot in slightly the wrong spot. Once in place [correctly] there is almost no need to ever adjust in the life of the player...

"Floating" is much easier to source, and manufacture. Asks nothing more than to be a "chunk" of material, with an apex to support the strings. Easy to carve, sand, or reposition to adjust for string height and intonation. Widely adjustable... getting out of adjustment...  just as easy.

The floating style is by far the "old" school of the two. When used on an un-fretted, or violin style instrument, it doesn't hamper intonation with placement. No frets, so the players fingers are selecting where on the string is the correct sound. Add a fret or two, and now the intonation is "fixed" by the placement of them and the bridge.

Many players I know have NO IDEA that moving a [moveable] bridge will change everything. They simply think that each note is a result of each fret. It helps me look SO good when I make their "off" sounding instrument sound sweet again...

Looks like another dumb question from lilley-pad. well here goes this may be more of a luthiers question then a player's.  It  has to do with the bridge “saddle” . I've noticed that the majority of instruments out there have a fixed bridge, but some have a floating bridge. Is the floating bridge  just old school?  or is there an advantage of having a floating Bridge? Thanks for the feedback