Set Up Question

[TT in NC]

Hey all, first post, been looking at the site and seems like an awesome place! First a bit of my back ground. Been playing bass for 2.5 years, been playing around with the mandolin for around a year, not too serious though. I recently began playing my mandolin everday and I am really enjoying it and want to keep progressing. So now to my question, I have a cheap Rogue mando but it is all I have at the moment. I have read that set up is critical, it does sound OK for what it is but, I am no luthier so...... do I pay to get the best set up I can get for this mando or is the instrument even worth the money to get it set up? If it is I am not sure where to take it to gte a pro set up? I live in Sanford NC (near Raleigh) does anyone know someone in this area who could help with this? I guess that is 2 questions:) Thanks for a great forum looking forward to being a part of it!

[mandroid]

Builders Database is a good place to Start , organized by state if you want.

[Big Joe]

With your mandolin...or any mandolin...a pro setup can help it substantially. The issue is that for a mandolin in that price/quality range is it better to put the money towards a better mandolin or making the one you have better than it is. There is a point of diminishing returns and the resale value is also a possible issue. You alone can answer how much you are willing to put into making what you have the best it can be versus getting a better mandolin that has greater potential. Part of that decision is whether you think you will continue playing the mandolin. I can say they are certainly addictive! Most of us started after playing other instruments and found we can't get away from them :) .

[EdHanrahan]

I have a small array of instruments, from moderately nice (well under 2K) to (primarily!) super-cheap, and try to think of it this way:
- the quality of the instrument (mostly) affects how it sounds to the listener;
- the quality of the setup (mostly) affects how it feels to the player.

I'm sure I would enjoy a 10K, custom F5 a whole lot. But I know I enjoy my rehabilitated Rover RM-35S ($60 as a blem) a whole lot as well, mostly because it's set up to play really well and I get to worry about it a whole lot less.

How about:
- you buy the instrument for your audience (even if it's only you), but,
- you buy the setup for the player, even if it's only you.

[Fretbear]

One thing to consider is that once you have played a properly set-up mandolin, you will know how one is supposed to feel and play. The sound is another matter, as there is a limit to what a set-up can deliver in that area. If you are going to hold onto and play that instrument for any time at all, then the set-up cost is probably worth the money, just to know how one can feel and intonate. If you end up buying a high-quality bridge like a Cumberland Acoustic for it, you can move it onto another instrument when you move up.

[TT in NC]

Thank you all for your comments you are too kind. I guess you told me what I thought you guys would. I am as someone stated addicted at this point so I dont see me turning back now. So I am still undecided as to what to do, so help me out here what does a quality set up cost aprox? I will probably never sell the one I have so any money put into it would be considered an investment. Then again I am torn, I have started a "fund" for a new one and am not sure if I want to put a lot into the set up? Good news is i have had a couple of my basses on the market and got a hit on the nicest one today!:) That happens that cash will make it possibel to move right away on a new mandolin!!!:):):):)

[EdHanrahan]

... what does a quality set up cost aprox?

Guessing $50 or so, assuming adjust the bridge and trussrod, file the nut slots. Max $100 if the frets need to be leveled, etc. In bluegrass-rich NC, it shouldn't be too hard to find someone competent.

Something major like re-gluing seams or re-setting the neck (several hundred $) may not be worth it on a lower-level instrument.

OR... Assuming you're handy and have some fine screwdrivers, nut-drivers and/or hex wrenches around (depending on your trussrod), you can digest Frank Ford's Frets.com website and ease into it yourself. Expect to spend maybe $30 on a set of nut-slot files (at Stewart-MacDonald- great website).

A $20 Guit-Tool is a handy thing to keep around regardless, sort of a Swiss Army knife for fretted instruments. After a long time messing with guitar, I do the setup myself.


... I will probably never sell the one I have ... ):):):)

YES!! Everyone needs at least one that can go to a picnic, or the beach, or the kids' birthday party, or on vacation without fear of costing major bucks! The common term is "beater" even if it's in not-too-bad condition - just means that it won't break your heart or your bank account if it gets trashed in the process of making music!

Remember that a new one will STILL need to be set up. Not that I'm recommending mail-order (support your local music store unless it's a mega-chain), but the Cafe sponsors all provide free setup on any new instrument regardless of price.

Keep on having fun!

[TT in NC]

Thank you for your reply! Good news sold one of my basses yesterday, money went right to the new Mandolin fund and I am close:) After much reading and looking I am thinking to get either the MMS 4, MMS 7, or if I can add the extra cash the MMS 8. Any thoughts on these choices?

[Marni Sorrick]

In my market area (St. Louis), set-up of an acoustic instrument by a qualified shop would be $50 to $75.

[Folkmusician.com]

The MMS-2, MMS-4 and MMS-7 are basically the same mandolin (assuming these are all the later versions). The MMS-8 is the nicer instrument. Playability will be the same, but the MMS-8 does have better tone. The MMS-4 and MMS-7 were just discontinued, and I don't believe Morgan Monroe has any more. There should still be some around though.

[Randi Gormley]

Were you planning on getting your first mando set up properly even if you buy a new one? I'd recommend it either way. I own a $49 Rogue, the set up cost $60, but i keep it at work, took it on vacation and it's the one i loan out to people interested in trying out a mandolin. I don't play it at gigs or even rehearsals, but it's nice to know it's set up correctly for whomever wants to noodle on it.

[TT in NC]

Yeah I would like to get a good set up for it, sounds like you have the same Rogue that I own. I just dont know where to take it? There are some places in my town here but mostly just for guitar people. One thing that I learned from playing the bass is that a guitar insturctor is not always the best choice for bass. I guess it is even more so with the Mandolin set up?

Hey Folkmusician.com- Your Mandolins are the ones I am looking at, sounds like the MMS-8 is a better choice then the MMS-7? Not much more cash than the others but sounds like it is worth it. Does the MMS-7's marble finish look as good in person?

[Folkmusician.com]

I would personally choose the MMS-8 over the MMS-7. It is the better mando.

I am not a huge fan of the marble finish. It is cool looking from a distance. The closer you get the more it loses its appeal. It is not all that bad for what it is, it just doesn't really look like marble up close. I think it makes a good stage finish. I have a feeling that a non-traditionalist audience would love it. :)

http://www.folkmusician.com/images/mms-7-3-f.jpg

... I will see if I have a close-up of the marbling.

[EarlG]

If you decide to get the setup let us know how it goes. Everybody always says get a setup but I have found it's not that easy to find somebody to do good work, at least on guitar. I set up my mandolin as best I could myself.

I think the problem is there are so few small guitar/mandolin shops now, unless you are lucky enough to live near one of the Cafe sponsers.

[Mercier]

...unless you are lucky enough to live near one of the Cafe sponsers.

Be careful with what you wish for, living near by one of those could increase your MAS symptoms....

[TT in NC]

Well, I believe I found a builder very close to me (Siler City), I have emailed him and see how it goes?

OK now that I have read more I am going to ask another question but, I am going to give you more information to base your responses with.

I play country Gospel and counrty music almost exclusively. All of my performances are at Church. I also do some recording in a small home studio. With that said, I have been reading and it seems everyone agrees that for $500-$600 you can get an A that far exceeds the quality of an F. So, with what I just described (what I will use the insrtrument for) would you buy and F or an A?

[Folkmusician.com]

I would lean toward an A, especially for recording. There is some argument for a lower grade F for a performer. The F does look nice and showmanship is part of it anytime you get on stage. Still, you will get a better A at this price point.

Will you be running through a PA in church? If so were you planning to mic it or use a pickup?

Almost everyone recommends the KM-505 and Eastman MD505 for good reason. These are hard to beat.

[TT in NC]

Will be going through the PA with a mic. This is really why I originaly thought F because from what I have read they have a brighter sound. But after reading more I thought man if I can get a much better A for the money who cares about the scroll, know what I mean? As it stands I got $350 in the "fund" and trying to get it to $500 or $600. I am anxious to upgrade but i am not sure at $350 I can get an A I am going to be happy with in the long run so I am thinking to add to it and try to get to $500-$600. Does that sound reasonable? BTW thank you for all of your help, it is much appreciated!

[TT in NC]

Sorry just looked at the KM-505 and I am almost there on cost.:)

[Greg H.]

Tony Sullivan in Pittsboro is a really good repairman (he has a small music store on the circle around the court house). He's a Martin official repairman and has done the setup work on my mandolins and has done really well. He does tend to set the action a bit low for my taste, but I'll either raise the action a bit afterwards myself or try it out in his store and get him to adjust it.

On upgrading instruments, Harrys Guitar store in Raleigh has often had a number of mandolins in the $450 - $2,000 range which would be more likely to have something you might want. Also keep an eye in the classified sales here as well (there could be a used KM-505 show up here for sale at a significantly lower price).

[TT in NC]

Greg,
Thanks! Wow small world, I Live in Deep River only 10 minutes away from that court house and never knew it was there. I will hav to check him out. Do you think he will set up my el cheapo? Also I can get a new KM-505 for a little over $400 and that is right in my price range, is it a good mandolin?

[TT in NC]

Robert,
Leaning towards the KM-505, if I ordered one will it get the pro set up too?

[Greg H.]

Small world indeed, I'm probably about 5-10 miles from you (or less if you're a crow). I'm on the edge of the Rocky River between Pittsboro and Goldston. The KM-505 would be a good choice. If you do want to order it going here: http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=51 would provide a setup as well. I haven't bought anything from them, but I've known people who have and done very well (ask around here at the cafe as well and they'll probably get universal approval).

[JeffD]

I originaly thought F because from what I have read they have a brighter sound. But after reading more I thought man if I can get a much better A for the money who cares about the scroll, know what I mean?


Well for many the scroll adds mojo, but at what price, and with no difference in sound. It has always been hard for me to justify an F style.

[kirksdad]

TT:

Harry's in Raleigh is a good choice for lower priced mando, and if you have the time, you should be able to find something in your range...............For set up, I have used Hansen and Crawford not far down the street from Harry's. They are alittle expensive, but very much worth it......May want to join the Piedmont Group here on the board..........

KD

[Folkmusician.com]

Robert,
Leaning towards the KM-505, if I ordered one will it get the pro set up too?

Yep, sure will. :)

The big one, is the fret work. That is the weakest area on the factory setups for these.