flatiron string problem

I'm hoping someone can advise me about this. #Last week I saw a 1994 Flatiron 1N hanging among some new Johnsons in a local music shop. #I grabbed it. #The strings were rusty and the bridge out of position, but it had a nice tone, good volume and sustain. #The top has a fair amount of hairline finish cracks (checking?), but otherwise, it seems really solid. #I've put Elixir nanowebs on it and moved the bridge, but the G strings are so near the edge of the fingerboard that it's easy to push them over when I finger a note. #(BTW, I'm a beginner and learning on my own.) #Is there anything I can do myself to fix this or do I need to take it to a luthier? #Thanks for any help.

[mandopete]

Let's see, 28 views and no replies, eh?

Given the fact you are a beginner (self-admitted) I would suggest taking it to a professional and having the bridge set up both for the mandolin itself and the string guages and spacing you want.

I have a 1995 Flatiron which is now back on it's original bridge. #I spent considerable time and effort messing with the saddle in an effort to get more volume out of it. #But I returned to the original set up as it was probably the best comination of sound and "feel"

Good Luck!

Yeah, I may well have to do that. The bridge looks to be original and spaced okay. The problem seems to be the way the nut is cut. The G side is a lot closer to the edge than the E side. The next concern will be to find a good luthier in Erie, PA. Thanks.

[fatt-dad]

catinthefiddle,

My A5-1 Flatiron had good string spacing, but the upper g string would "fall" off the fretboard mostly when noting with my pinky. I had the nut replaced, which took only a little on the string spacing, but gave enough at the edge of the fretboard. It worked real well.

On the 1N, we have been discussing these on another post. Knowing nothing about the strings that you used, the 1N is made for (essentially) ghs a-250s. This is by the recommended string gauges. Read the other posting, on the board about specific mandolins. (btw, I would really like to know how to insert a text hyperlink to a url.)

fatt-dad

fatt-dad,

The overall string spacing (i.e., the distance between the strings themselves) looks pretty good to my novice eye, but the whole set is closer to the edge of the fretboard on the low side. The nanoweb lights are .010-.034, very close to the recommended gauges--a tad light on the g (recommended is .036). #

I did read the other post. #Actually, that's how I learned that the Flatiron 1N was a good model. #Even with its rusty strings, this particular one sounded far better than the Johnsons on display (and cost less!) While we're on the subject, is checking anything to be concerned about?

catinthefiddle

[sunburst]

catinthefiddle,
Actually, I only looked at this thread to see if your signature was "hey diddle diddle", but as long as I'm here, might as well make myself useful.

I'd say replace the nut and be sure the bridge is in the center of the instrument relative to the tailpiece and the fingerboard. If the bridge has a tendency to work it's way across the mando so that the strings won't stay centered, you might have to move the tailpiece so that it is aligned with the center of the fingerboard, and not worry if it's not in the center of the mandolin. I doubt seriously if that is the case in this mando, it's more common on the cheapies.

fatt-dad,
Go to the url you want to link and highlight it. Then 'edit copy'.
Now go back to your post and hit the http:// button. A dialog box or whatever should show up with the title highlighted. 'Edit copy' your url right over it. A second box should show up and you can then call your link anything you want.
I hope that works, I have a Mac so I can't give you the specifics as far as right or left clicking and all that, but I don't think I left anything out.


Oh, and checking. Nah...don't wory about it. It is strictly cosmetic.

Thanks, I'm off to see a luthier....as soon as I find a local one.

P.S. to Sunburst, I did start to use "heydiddle", but then realized it would not be the wisest choice! (That was my daughter's favorite nursery rhyme.)

[fatt-dad]

Sunburst, Here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=4369;st=1025) is the url for a posting for us and our mandolins. The link is supposed to show the word "here". How would you have the hypertext bring you to a specific post?

catinthefiddle, the new nut will be the way to go. I do like the ghs a-250s, though.

fatt-dad