Question about my mandolins bridge.

[Badnik]

I'm a complete beginner at mandolin my mum got a cheap mandolin of ebay as a christmas present a in 2007. I didn't really touch it as I was concentrating on my guitar playing for college. Anyways I'm hopefully going abroad to study in japan for at least 2 years (I'm eventually am hoping to emmigrate) in April 2010. Anyhoo this was an excuse to pick up my mandolin since it's small enough to take on the plane with me. Plus I've always wanted to learn it anyway.

So I pilled the mandolin out today and noticed a part of the bridge had snapped. Here's a picture (http://img167.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mandolinbridge.jpg&via=tfrog). Apart from the action being the tiniest bit lower (it's not noticable when playing it) in the middle the main problem is that it's strings are in dire need of changing. Is my bridge in any condition to change the strings? Would I better off getting another mandolin? If so I don't have much of budget since I'm saving up for Japan and my Surf band are recording an album soon. I'm not that bothered about a great one just a nice playable decent sounding one. Apart from an epiphone F style one which is quite expensive over £400 (I live in the UK) I think my local music shop only has a second hand AXL one (another F style) for about £170. Is it worth looking into a new one and if so is this AXL worth looking into? Thanks for any help, it is much appreciated.

[Jean Fugal]

What I would do, (under the circumstances), is super glue it back together and then fit a small shim between the top and bottom pieces to take some of the stress. Play it and save your money for a better one after you see if you want to stay with it.
Don't get in a hurry to buy a new cheapy.

[Badnik]

I wasn't hurrying I just wanted to know if this one would still be okay. But thanks I'll try that (hopefully not breaking it in the process). Thanks

[Mandophyte]

Badnik,

Don't forget to allow time for the glue to set properly, I'd leave it overnight before putting any stress on it. Good luck!

[Jean Fugal]

From the pic. I would put the shim under the G strings, small piece of 1/4 inch dowel would work good.

Yes, Let the glue dry a day or so.

[Badnik]

Thanks. I've managed to fix it. I stuck some wood glue on it then shaved down this thin piece of metal and placed it under the bridge like so.

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/3295/mandolinfixed.jpg

That's it. Took me ages to get the intonation. I never want to go through that again.

[Mandophyte]

Badnik,

Well Done!

[Oliver R]

Good fix,
You can actually buy replacement bridges off Ebay, see here...http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MANDOLIN-BRIDGE-HARDWOOD-ADJUSTABLE-STRING-HEIGHT-NEW_W0QQitemZ400025324808QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Mus ical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments?hash=item5d235e 0d08&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|2 93:1|294:50

This ones £10 which is approximately what I would give for the AXL mandolin I had the misfortune to have a go on. ;)

[Cape Cod Struggler]

Here is another suggestion: pop by the local doctor's office and get a few wooden tongue depressors for your repair. Cut the tongue depressor to the correct length and width and glue it across the entire bottom of the string saddle (the piece that was broken). That will strengthen the string saddle and transfer the string load to the bottom part of your adjustable bridge.

What I trying to say is; Replace the piece of metal with a piece of wooden tongue depressor that you have cut and glued in place to the full width of the string saddle.