Bridge Adjustment

[junglejoe]

Why do mandolins not come with the bridge already adjusted before it is sold. From what I hear even new, high end mandolin bridges often need to be adjusted and reset by a pro luthier. What gives?
Joe

[Bob DeVellis]

On better quality mandolins purchased new, the bridge is generally in the right place for the type of strings it's shipped with. If you change gauges or bridge height, though, you may need to do some fine-tuning. On less expensive instruments, less care may be taken to get it set up properly before shipping. Also, the action may be high to avoid buzzing frets. If you find that a lower action works, you may also need to reposition the bridge to account for the change in string tension. Vintage instruments change with time and what may once have been the "right" location for a bridge may not be ideal a half century later. Another issue for instruments of any age is that some dealers will ship them with the bridge off the top for safety purposes. Short of that, everyone will de-tune the strings substantially to lower tension on the top. This may allow the bridge to move out of a position and thus need repositioning. I've had the best luck with instruments shipped to me with lowered tension but enough to hold the bridge in place. With both new and vintage instruments I've received that way, they've often tuned up with excellent intonation when brought to pitch.