View Full Version : Dumb little question
Chad Thorne
Mar-04-2007, 6:41pm
Just put new strings on my Mid-Mo M-1. I'm still getting a little fret slap on the G strings. Can I shim under that foot of the bridge with, say, one thickness of card stock? Will that work? Will it affect tone?
mandolooter
Mar-04-2007, 6:50pm
you can...and it could hurt the tone. Did you change string gauges? If so that might be the culprit also.
8ch(pl)
Mar-04-2007, 7:50pm
The only way to raise the action is by changing the bridge. Mike Dulak of Mid Missouri sent me a couple of spare bridges in slightly different heights. I emailed him to purchase them and he sent them free. This was generous considering that I told him that the instrument was purchased second hand.
Now that Mid Missouri is gone, and been replaced by Big Muddy with the same instruments, I don't know if one could have this service, but Mr Dulak took pride in how he treated his customers.
Chad Thorne
Mar-05-2007, 2:35am
I did change string gauges, then changed 'em back.
Mike sent me spare bridges with my mando, also. The one I have on it is ideal but for the G. Guess i'll give Mike a call. Thanks!
If you are comfortable with doing a little work on your mando I think this article by Frank Ford also speaks to the problem.
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPa....m1.html (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Mandolin/MandoShim/mandoshim1.html)
Chad Thorne
Mar-06-2007, 5:03am
If you are comfortable with doing a little work on your mando I think this article by Frank Ford also speaks to the problem.
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPa....m1.html (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Mandolin/MandoShim/mandoshim1.html)
Ken, thanks for the link. I don't mind doing a bit of work on my mando; besides, if I bollox it up too badly I've got two extra bridges that Mike gave me...http://www.websmileys.com/sm/fingers/fing02.gif
The .gif of the old Gibson leaflet is cool, too. I had thought about using veneer.
Jerry Byers
Mar-06-2007, 5:21am
Great article by Frank Ford. The leaflet was eye opening too.
Chad Thorne
Mar-11-2007, 6:53pm
For those who've been breathlessly awaiting news: I just put the taller bridge, that Mike Dulak provided me when I bought the mando, on. Problem solved! Also, it seems to me I'm getting better tone production from my mando. Does this make some kind of sense, or am I just hallucinating again? I would think that fret slap is a tone-killer, but if the strings are allowed to vibrate freely the instrument would sound better, no?
MandoSquirrel
Mar-11-2007, 9:54pm
Theoretically, at least, higher bridge = higher tension on the top = increased volume & projection. That's why some people have their action too high for comfort.
Chad Thorne
Mar-12-2007, 5:13am
Theoretically, at least, higher bridge = higher tension on the top = increased volume & projection. That's why some people have their action too high for comfort.
Yeah! That's what I'm getting. And the action is not uncomfortably high, though it is a bit higher and stiffer than it was. Just requires a little adjustment, i.e., woodshedding, that's all. My wife noticed the difference in tone and volume right off.