Mandolin Intonation

[newmando7]

I have a Kentucky 250 and have enjoyed it very much.My question is about intonation.I have noticed that on the G string at the seventh fret it is very flat.So I have moved the bridge about four times now and finally got it pretty close.But at the same time I also have noticed that the angle of the bridge is not at all straight in comparison to the F-holes or the fret board is this normal or ok I am not really sure!.I am currently using the folk of the wood method adjusting the G to F and so on!.

[ourgang]

I used to think that the cut-outs in the center of the "f" holes was supposed to divide the bridge base in half. Then I started messing around with the intonation and found that not to be true. I had a Flatiron F-5 Artist where the bridge is actually cocked on the top and itonation was perfect. My Laura Ratcliff splits the bridge while with my Driftwood, the bridge is fully forward, toward peghead, of the cut-outs. I think that it all boils down to "the bridge goes where the bridge goes". If your bridge placement works on your mando, then that's where it should be.

[Bruce Evans]

The angle of your bridge compared to the center line of the neck is going to vary with the guage and type of strings you have on the mando. I have TI strings on mine right now and the bridge is almost square to the neck, but with some other strings there is a definite angle with the lower strings being longer. Look at the saddle on a guitar and see how much angle it is placed at.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Bridge tops are compensated differently by different companies. There's the standard old Gibson style and another where the E string is no where near as far forward. These later types usually end up angular. Also, the narrower the bridge top, the less room for compensation. The old Gibsons were very wide

[newmando7]

Thank you for the answers all you fine folks in mandoland!.

[Willie]

New Mando....You might also want to make sure you are not using a mix-match set of strings, sometimes if one breaks and you just throw one on it might not be the proper gauge as the rest of the set....also check the nut to see if the strings are riding and touching the front of the nut, if they are not all touching the front they will note off, like one string touching the back and its partner string touching the front they will not note the same when fretted....Good luck...Willie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[mandodebbie]

When I bought my new and first mando two months ago, I had a dickens of a time tuning it up. As the previous person mentioned, that if the strings are off the nut they will sound off on another. This was one on my mando's problems. That my strings were old (who knows how long the instrument was hanging in the shop) and had to be replaced only occured to me when a few broke while tuning up (especially thoses darned E strings.) It was quite the experience hearing true, well tuned notes for the first time. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[newmando7]

Thank you mandodebbie I was a little scared when I replaced the strings as it was my first time.I had no problems what so ever so that was a blessing.I was a little surprised to hear how bright the new strings were which was of course ok with me!.I hope in about a year or so I can buy a Breedlove but we will have to see where I am at with my playing & cash of course.