Restringing - where does the bridge go

[Wiles]

So I bought some new strings for my mandolin for the first time, I started to take all the old strings off so I could clean it and to my surprise the bridge just fell off. I had no idea it was being held in place by the strings. Now I want to restring it but I'm worried about the bridge position. Does it have to be in exactly the same place? I can tell it is pretty close to its old position by the marks that were on it, but I'm not sure how exact it is. What should I do?

[NickAlberty]

Just restring the mandolin one string at a time after you get the bridge where you like it.

Works for me and most everyone else.

[EdSherry]

You want to put the bridge so that the distance from the nut to the 12th fret is the same as the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge.

[Chris Keth]

You want to put the bridge so that the distance from the nut to the 12th fret is the same as the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge.

This will be pretty good for the E course. For each successively heavier course of strings, the bridge will have to be slightly further away from the nut. I'd start with the E string being the same distance as from the nut to the 12th fret and make the G string an eighth of an inch further from the nut. String it all up and check the intonation. If you're all tuned up and the intonation is correct, that means the 12th fret note on each string should check out with a tuner to be the same as that open string. If the 12th fret note is sharp, the bridge at that string needs to move further from the nut. If the 12th fret is flatter than the open note, the bridge needs to move closer to the nut.

It takes some fiddling and you probably won't get it absolutely perfect. Since this is a new instrument, you might consider having it properly set up by a luthier. He will place your bridge and do any light shaping work to the bridge to make sure it can be intonated properly and exactly.

[Mandophyte]

Wiles,

Have a look here, scroll down to where it says intonation: MandolinBridges (http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/MandolinBridges.htm)

For just changing strings and other mandolin maintenance stuff: Frets.com (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Mandolin/MandoString/mandostring1.html)

Good Luck,

[rgray]

Here's a video that shows you just how to place the bridge -

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2450.htm

[r.riley77]

I would bring it to get set up by a professional.

[jim_n_virginia]

I would bring it to get set up by a professional.

yeah if you feel like paying someone $60.00 to do it that is! LOL!

It's not that hard to position the bridge. He didn't say he needed a set up just where to position the bridge.

Now if there were other problems (bridge not seating properly, nut needs filing, truss rod need adjusting) then yes I'd take it to a luthier but knowing where to position the bridge is to me minor maintenance every mandolin player should be able to do it. :mandosmiley:

[mandroid]

12th fret is the Octave , by definition it is the half way place between the bridge and the nut ,
half of the length of the vibrating string , so make the bridge to 12th fret same distance as the nut to 12th fret.

the Harmonic points on a vibrating string are simple fractional divisions , half , thirds and quarters .

so the half harmonic is needing to be directly over the 12th fret.. a good basic check.

[CelticDude]

As a starting point, line the bridge up with the inner "points" of the f-holes (assuming you have an f-hole instrument). Another hint is to look at the finish of the top; there is often some slight difference where the bridge was. Of course, you will have to do as everyone here suggests, but this will give you a first approximation.

DWP