Ideal String height?

[lkb3rd]

I know on guitars there is an ideal string height off of the top. #What is the ideal range on a mandolin? #I just measured mine and it's 7/8".
Just curious, and it would be useful especially for building, which i may start via a kit.

[Bill Snyder]

There is not one. There is not one on the guitar either. Too many variables from player to player and instrument to instrument to give an ideal string height from the top of the instrument.
Take guitars for instance. Most flat top guitars have the fretboard down on the top of the instrument, but I know of some high end flat tops guitars that have a raised fretboard. Obviously the string height above the top of the guitar is going to have to be greater.
Having said all of that I think that there is a "normal" range, otherwise off the shelf bridges would not work. Your 7/8" is within the "norm".

Edit: If you meant string height off of the fretboard that is the action and would still vary a bit but that would probably vary less than the height off of the top of the instrument.

[mandoman15]

if you mean 7/8" off the fretboard, i would say that you have abnormal string height.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[John Flynn]

I just measured three of my mandos. The string height off the top ranges from 5/8" to 7/8" at the bridge and from 3/8" to 1" at the beginning of the fretboard. The 1" was my Rigel, BTW. I was interesting to find that it was the only one of the three where the height at the beginning of the fretboard was greater than the height at the bridge. I guess it all depends on the neck angle.