string angle from bridge to tailpiece

[thistle3585]

Is there a critical string angle from the bridge to the tailpiece? I'm sure there can be too little, can there be too much? This for an arch top electric mando of my own design.

[Chris Baird]

If it is a solid electric I don't think it matters much. For an acoustic mandolin it is vital to have a proper break over angle. The downward force on the top of the mandolin is the sum downward force of both triangles formed by bridge stings and plate planes both in front and behind the bridge.