Mms-8, anything that can be done to improve?

[300win]

I have a MM S-8 which is a ok mandolin. I've put a stamped tailpiece on it and got rid of the cast one. The bridge is lowered as far as it will go, but it still has a kind of high action, and my strength in my hands are not what they used to be. The mandolin pops pretty good, but it ain't no Gibson. My question is can anything be done to improve it that I'm not aware of? Don't have the funds to got to a higher grade mandolin. Do you think one of the Cunmberland bridges would help. Any of ya'll have any ideas, or maybe have the same model that you have fooled with? Any help much appreciated.

[arbarnhart]

Is that a Mid-Mo, now Big Muddy? I have seen many reports of people contacting them, even with old second hand instruments, and getting a new lower bridge for little or no cost.

[Folkmusician.com]

It sounds like your MMS-8 did not have a setup done on it. If you feel comfortable working on your instrument, here are some things to check out.

If your bridge is slammed and you still need to go lower, there are a few things to do.

First, check the neck relief. Once this is set correctly, check the nut height. Be careful filing on the pearl nut.

These two things may bring it down to where you want it. If not, you have to take some wood off the bridge.

I actually run into this a lot. It is not uncommon. and especially not uncommon on the MM mandos that come with unfit generic bridges.

You need to look at the bridge and try to identify the problem... is the center of the saddle hitting the foot and stopping it, does it need more clearance for the screws, was the foot not cut down enough etc.. It could also be that the neck angle is off.

If you can safely remove some wood from the bottom of the saddle, this is the easiest fix.


While you’re at it...

Check your string spacing at the nut. The A course is typically shifted toward the D and needs to be moved toward the E.

Look for loose frets (get a magnifying glass and use something hard to push on them while watching the gap between the frets and fingerboard). Very common on these. Glue them down. After the frets are stable, make sure they are reasonably level.

Check the fit of your bridge foot. It does not necessarily have to match the top perfectly to get good tone transfer, but it needs to fit reasonably well. The better the fit, the better the tone.

Check the string spacing at the bridge. make sure there is enough space between the pairs to prevent them from hitting when picked.

Check the fit and ramp the string grooves on the bridge and nut.

I kind of like the original Cast tailpiece. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Your MMS-8 may will never sound like a Gibson, but it can play as well.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Mandolusional]

I had a pro setup and Mandovoodoo done by Gianna Violins which affected the tone, and naturally the playability. It might be something to consider, check out their website, www.mandovoodoo.com. I'd do it again on another mandolin, no question.

[Bill Snyder]

Is that a Mid-Mo, now Big Muddy? I have seen many reports of people contacting them, even with old second hand instruments, and getting a new lower bridge for little or no cost.
Morgan Monroe not Mid-Mo.

[300win]

Bridge fit is perfect. Already filed the notches at the nut. Action is less than 3/32 nds at the 12th fret, but it is also about the same at the nut. So I think that the neck angle is the culprit. The only thing left that I can do is take some wood off the bottom of the saddle that sits on the screw posts. Thanks for everyones reply.

[pdb]

to save yourself a headache, please make sure the neck relief is correct before removing anything. Once the neck is straight or with just a very small amount of relief, then check the string height at the nut. Then check it at the 12th fret. It should not be the same at the nut and 12th fret. Please make sure the string height is where you want it to be for comfortable playing only after the neck is correct. Once the neck is right, if the string height is good at the nut, then by all means, start on the saddle to remove from the underside to go down further on the bridge posts as you have described. Just remember, you can take away too much saddle and if you find out the neck is not right, it's too late then. You can't add back to the saddle. Good luck with your set up.

[300win]

Put a bone nut on it yesterday. That actually made it sound better than the pearl one that was on it. How difficult is it to remove the top and regraduate the tone, bars, back, etc. ? The mandolin has good wood in it. Very high flame maple, back, sides, neck, and a fine grain spruce top plate. If it has good wood, then wouldn't it be possible to do the regraduations and make it into a better mandolin ?

[cooper4205]

Put a bone nut on it yesterday. That actually made it sound better than the pearl one that was on it. How difficult is it to remove the top and regraduate the tone, bars, back, etc. ? The mandolin has good wood in it. Very high flame maple, back, sides, neck, and a fine grain spruce top plate. If it has good wood, then wouldn't it be possible to do the regraduations and make it into a better mandolin ?
it would be cheaper to get another mandolin, although it might not be that much if the tone bars were shaved down without removing the back. You could get a Gibson A9 or Flatiron A5, etc. for what you would have tied up in the MMS-8.

[bluemtgrass]

I have an MM8 as well. I find it to have plently of everything I want as well as the old time
aged look off the shelf. I had stainless steel frets put on to avoid fret dressing and replacement
for a long time. The luthier did a nice job when I got it back. I find it amusing that a lot of people
are eager to spend someone else's money on other mandolins. You have a good mandolin. Have it
set up by someone so you can make an informed decision whether you " need " another mandolin.
I would love to have a blind folded mando sounding contest. The best may win but I'd bet there
would be a lot of surprises in between.
I realize this is an old post but I'd be interested if you still have it and what, if any mods you did
with it and with what results.