2 Mandolins - Different String Tension

[Bill Auld]

Here's the situation. I have two Collings - one older MF5 and a new MT2. The action on the MF5 is low so I've lowered the action on the MT2 (which was too high for me) to get somewhere in the neighborhood of the MF5. As it turns out the MF5 probably needs to come up a hair. Anyway - I'm using J74s at this point on both. The action tension on the MF5 feels a little spongey (is that a word??) - i.e., loose, whereas the action tension on the MT2 is pretty stiff. What might account for the difference in string tension when the action height is relatively the same and the strings are the same?? I'm aiming to get the string tension more like the MT2 ...

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere on the forum before but I'm just not finding it, so if anyone could point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

[onassis]

Folks have been discussing J75's on other threads. Evidently, they're the exact same formulation as J74's, just in a slightly heavier gauge, thus a much stouter feel and higher tension. FWIW, I've never tried them, but they might be just the ticket. Probably worth a little inexpensive experimentation.

[mandroid]

try changing both sets at one time, so the 2 sets are the same age,
as you know , you keep tightening the string as it ages to, return to standard pitch.

same scale length and same gage of wire should reach standard pitch at the same tension.

[lenf12]

It's the action at the nut. Lowering the action at the nut will give a much softer feel to the string tension. Check out Frank Ford's articles at his website www.frets.com for information on adjusting the action. It may be a job for your local luthier if you don't know how and/or have never done it before.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Bill Auld]

Thanks, folks! Lenf12 - that's what I was suspecting - it was something like that (hadn't begun measuring things yet ...) - either the nut - the string break angles - or something. Mandroid - good idea - that's exactly what I did - two fresh sets basically at the same time - still the MF5 was softer. Onassis - good suggestion - that's the next thing I'm going to try (because I have a new set of 75s) - that might do the trick.

I appreciate all your thoughts!

[Rob Gerety]

It's the action at the nut.
Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Yup. I bet that's it.