Mandolin problems

[firstchair]

Here's the problem. I bought a used mandolin from my local music store. It is second hand but in good condition. The problem is that when you play the G strings with any of your fingers on it it sounds out of tune. But the G strings themselves are in tune. I noticed that that side of the adjustable bridge is slightly higher. The other side is all the way down. The problematic side is maybe a spin or two high. I was wondering if I should attempt to lower it myself so that they are even. I don't want to pay money to have it set up when all it would need is that little adjustment. And the closest place to get it done is 30 mins away. My dad and mom won't take me that far. I need advice. Thank you. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[MandoPirate]

i think if your ears can hear the problem .. you should try!

you can always return the mandolin to its current state if you mark the foot of the bridge and count how many turns you raise each side of the bride ... you can also move the bridge and return it to the same place later ..

its a little scary to try these things at first but unless youve paid for a setup i think its something you should learn a little about. Make sure to do a search on the forum to get a little more info on proper setup befor you go moving the bridge though ... please .. cause i dont want to steer you wrong with my opinion

cheers
MP

[devilstone_the_bard]

This (http://www.gibson.com/magazines/amplifier/1998/6/tipsheet.html) is a pretty good example of a DIY set up.

[JEStanek]

Before you do anything to your bridge relax the string tension! #If the G strings are in tune open but out when fretted your bridge is probably in the wrong position (at least on the Bass side if the A and E strings are OK). #If the fretted string is sharp move the bass side of the bridge towards the tailpiece. #If flat move the bass side towards the neck. #This is called an intonation problem. #Ideally you can do this at the 12th fret and everything will be as good as it can get. #If you have it in tune open, and at 12 but other frets along the way are out, your finger board may have been slotted incorrectly.

If the bridge is very high you may have to adjust the bridge position after lowering or raising it a bit. #Good luck. #This is a good FAQ for set up info. (http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2617.htm#setup)

Good luck.

Jamie

PS OOPS,looks like the Bard and I posted about the same time...

[picksnbits]

Does it happen to have a zero fret (that's a fret right next to the nut)? If so, make sure the G strings are actually touching the zero fret. If the nut isn't right, it could hold the strings up off the zero fret causing intonation problems for the G strings only.

[firstchair]

Thanks.

[GTison]

if the strings are not too high to play comfortably, then the distance of the bridge from the nut is incorrect. If it notes sharp then the bridge needs to go back, but only a little maybe you can try 1/8 inch increments. You do need to take the loosen the strings but leave them on. When you move it back tighten only the 1st and 8th string up some and check those before you decide if you need to move it back(or forward) more. Also you don't have to bring the 1st and 8th up to pitch to check them just check them on any note as long as you can tell at the 12 th fret if it is tune. The above sites and links give good explanations. Also be careful when you tighten up the strings as the bridge may lean forward because of the strings pulling it forward as you tighten them. Also If you have old strings you should change them because old strings can note wrong IMO. And if you are doing all this tightening and loosening you are bound to break an old string. (Daddario J-74 are favorites on this site. I've been playing for 24 years or so, I still don't like moving the bridge but it has to be done every once in a while. have fun.

[Santiago]

This is a great forum for help when you're afraid to touch something for fear of messing it up, but when you said you had a Mandolin problem, I though that you were at the first step of a 12 step program to cure MAS.

[MandoSquirrel]

This is a great forum for help when you're afraid to touch something for fear of messing it up, but when you said you had a Mandolin problem, I though that you were at the first step of a 12 step program to cure MAS.
Wondered about that myself.

And Sometimes new strings won't intonate correctly, but a decent supplier will replace them if informed.

[bikebum]

'first step of a 12 step program to cure MAS.'

Does this mean you can/have to buy another mandolin at each step?
My type of program.

Just ordered another mandolin today. Let's see.... that is #5 for this year. Must put me at step #5. Only 7 more steps to go for this year.

Jerry

[aries753]

I have had the same sort problem with one of my mandolins on the A strings. Played open the A's were in tune with each other but when fretted they were not in tune. The problem was that the string slots in the nut were not at the same height/depth. One string was just a tiny bit different in vibrating length when fretted. It took me a while to figure that one out. Check that the slots in both the nut and the bridge are the same depth along with the other suggestions that have been made. If one string is higher than the other at the nut your finger can tell the difference if you don't have any other way to measure it.

Good Luck!

[Mattg]

Don't worry about messing things up. Sounds like the intonation is off and, as stated above, is a common problem. As my home brew hero says "Relax, don't worry, have a home brew.". Once you start messing with it, you will find that it is easy to get intonation and action pretty close to what you need. It's just trial and error. If you really blow it, find a local luthier or instrument repair person to set it up for you. I think that anyone who plays a mando for awhile eventually learns how to adjust the bridge.

[firstchair]

Well, I just got a capo. When I capo it's fine. It might just be my fingers.

[aries753]

It's very easy to not come straight down on the string pairs, especially on the G strings (at least for me anyway).
When that happens I tend to push or bend a string changing it's pitch relative to it's mate.
A capo come straight down.
Mystery Solved? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[firstchair]

I think that's the problem.

[OlderThanWillie]

Now that you know the problem, throw away the capo. Learn the various chord positions for different keys and you won't need the capo. Because of the way the mandolin is tuned (in fifths) it is very easy to learn chords without using a capo (unlike the guitar).
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[firstchair]

I have actually found it really hard to play chords free hand. The capo makes it easier.