What's the best part upgrade you've ever made?

[mad dawg]

What the best part upgrade or accessory for any of your mandolins that you've ever invested in? (Please be sure to include your mandolin make/model, and the benefits you got form the upgrade.)

I for one have only invested in one upgrade of note: I replaced the tailpiece on my 10-string Freshwater with a cast Allen tailpiece. The pimary reason I upgraded was to move from an 8-string stamped tailpiece to a 10-string tailpiece so I each string loop would have its own post, but I experienced a moderate increase in sustain as well (note: it already had incredible sustain before). I also want to think it's a little louder, and "clearer" after the change as well.

[jim simpson]

Early on I found taking the strap off of my then Anderson F5 to be a hassle. I had a nice figured leather strap that took too much work to work out of the scroll each time I put the instrument away and there wasn't room in the case to leave it attached. My solution was to cut the strap and loop each end of the separation onto a fastex buckle. Now I can release the buckle and leave the looped leather with a female end of the fastex buckle still attached. It fits in the case and I can roll up the strap and fit it in the case too. I have 2 setups this way for both of my mandolins. I love it!

[Doug Edwards]

So far the best move has been replacing the stock bridge with an ebony bridge on my MM50. The volume and tone was noticibly improved. I've replaced the tailpiece with a Weber universal which looks better and is more comfortable. Currently I'm having the nut replaced with a bone one and the first 10 frets replaced. My luthier is also doing a set up and refining the base of the bridge to fit better. It should be better than new when I get it back next week.

[mmukav]

I'm with Doug. I too had an MM50, replaced the rosewood bridge with ebony, took off the pickguard and, viola! Louder, clearer, much improved tone!

[Damnation Gulch]

Never thought to take the pickgaurd off...duh! I guess it does cover up most of one of the F's eh http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[addcourt]

Last week I changed the standard two piece tailpiece on my Apitius to a Price cast one piece. Sweetness of tone is unchanged, but volume, clarity and sustain improved dramatically. I've had a Tone-guard on it for a month or so and that was also an improvement. The tone is very different from my Bush model and now the volume is pretty much at the same level. Great mandolin!!

[Dennis Schubert]

Replace ebony top 1/2 of bridge saddle on my Gibson F-5L with a bone saddle of same size & shape.

[John Ely]

I once replaced myself with someone who can actually play on my Breedlove. It made a world of difference!

[Amandalyn]

I have added Ebony armrests to all my mandolins. It adds comfort, protection and seems to increase volume. There are several makers out there. I have one by King Brown of Australia and have 2 others from a fellow ( can't think of his name right now) on Ebay. His were a lot smaller ( less $) but may not be as good for you guys with larger arms.

[ronlane3]

Adding a Tone gard to the back of my F-9. Hands down worth every cent that I spent on it. (no financial interest, just one satisified customer)

[WireBoy]

I just got a ToneGard today. #and yes they are what they are cracked up to be. #a fabulous investment! #I can now pick a note and let it ring as long and as sweet as i like.

[mcarufe]

Best uprgrade after set up was the armrest-tail piece that Weber makes. Looks so cool and plays much more comfortable. Oh don't forget the Wood Nymph and you right hand will be so happy!!!

[mandroid]

Changed Mandolin-banjo heads from topfrosted [with dirt and bald spot] to remo renassance, mellowed tone slightly too.
Then theres the electric with 4 individual string pickups in the bridge adding to single coil as originally built . http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[BluegrassPhilfromFrance]

The best upgrade I've ever made was in 1982, when I skipped from my Ibanez F-5 to my Monteleone Grand Artist mandolin ! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Frank Russell]

Fossilized walrus ivory nut and saddle tops, on both my F9 and A9. Took them both from really good to exceptional. Louder, clearer and woodier. Got them from Kurt Gisclair at Husky Acoustics. Frank

[steve in tampa]

Just put an Allen tailpiece and Grover tuners on my Dean BGF. Much better sustain, even though the strings have not settled in yet. Took off the pickguard also.
This is my travel instrument, and I want it to stay in tune and ring out better. I may upgrade the rosewood bridge to ebony next string change.

[Scotti Adams]

TONE-GARD!!!!....ABSOLUTELY

[Ted Eschliman]

Yup, another Tone-gard (http://members.aol.com/teesch/images/tonegard.jpg) junkie here...
The Steven Stone Silencers were also a good investment.

[Ken Sager]

Tone-gard
Calton
grommet silencers
soon to arrive engraved pearl truss rod cover (ok, so I can't say it has done any good yet)

[harribobs]

Hi folks, just a newbie reading about replacing the bridge on a MM50

has anyone got a link or an address where I get one?


thanks

[Scotti Adams]

..and Bush strings...of course

[John Flynn]

Replaced cheapo tuners on a Parsons Flat-top with Grover Sta-Tites. Immediate, noticable improvement.

[straight-a]

Tone-gard and Gibson Monroe strings.

[Bob A]

Armrest. Next best is a 2-inch strip of velcro as a string silencer.

Off the mandolin, the best (and cheapest) is a collection of about a hundred different picks. Invariably there are one or two that noticeably improve the sound of an instrument.