Two Questions...

[MikeB]

First of all, I recently purchased my first F mandolin #(Collings MF). #One of the things I took for granted was that I would put my strap around the scroll and get busy playing. #No big deal, I figured Fs were just balanced that way.

To my surprise, I hated that strap around the scroll. # It feels like the mandolin is always tipping down at the neck end. #

So, is this just me, or what? #I feel a bit like a dork with the strap around the peghead, but it just feels better there.

Second question: #Why don't bridge builders use hex nuts (which you could easily adjust under tension) instead of knurled nuts? # Those knurled nuts can be tough enough even with the strings relaxed.

Thanks in advance... Mike

[Bob DeVellis]

Mike -- It does take some getting used to the balance of an F supported by the scroll. But not having the strap between you and the neck (as it is with attachment to the headstock) is well worth the effort. Basically, I've never had a mandolin that balanced on the strap the way many guitars do. I've learned to live with it.

As for hex nuts, Dave Cohen does use them under the saddle and this dies make it possible to adjust the bridge under tension with the use of a wrench. I suppose this could be a bad thing if someone went berserk and started doing wild and foolish things with the wrench, but I find it hugely convenient.

I even made myself a special wrench to keep in my case for adjustments:

[John Flynn]

Peter Sawchyn does the hex nut thing also on some of his mandos. It's a good idea and I wish it were the standard, rather than the exception.

[Jacob]

David Grisman (http://www.larry-fox.com/Content/Photos/Grisman/DavidGrisman.htm) uses a strap that attaches to his F-style mandolins only at the scroll, not at the end pin. #Here's a newer picture. (http://www.walther-productions.com/walther-productions.photos/BelaGrisman.jpg)