Set-up Redux

[GRW3]

Who else gets a second setup about six months in to a new instrument? As instruments are truly organic systems I believe they need a little work-in time to reach stability. They need to be initially set up to make them playable from the get go but as they set in you find yourself saying 'this could be better'. So as a habit, I save up my ideas for the first six months and then I have it set up.

I just hit the six month mark with the Weber Bighorn. Adjust the action at the nut, check the relief and reset the intonation. All that and new strings too. Oh my the difference.

So if you have mandolin, or guitar for that matter, you really liked but has fallen in your opinion it might need a fresh set-up. You might be surprised at how much better it plays and sounds.

I like a light touch on the frets (can't imagine I'll have to replace the fretboard like Sam Bush). To get that you have to adjust the nut. Try this: fret the notes on each string starting from the first fret. Note how much effort it takes to get a clean note. Very often you will find that the first fret takes more effort than the second than the third. I like that effort to be as even as possible .

[Pen]

I check all my instruments - no matter how long I've had them - about once a year. My campfire gutar is the only one I see that regularly needs adjustments (go figure!).

[Tim2723]

I think you've given some good advice. We frequently have folks write in to tell us they somehow don't care as much for their mandolin as they did when they first got it. Usually the first thing out of our collective mouth is 'have you had it set up?'. I think that we should additionally ask 'have you had the set up re-checked, since maybe something has changed?'. Sometimes the changes can sneak up on us and we don't notice them until things have gone pretty far along.

[Of course, that's another good reason to play Ovation mandolins. Except for strings and batteries, nothing ever changes. :whistling:]

[Poener]

Some of my instruments are tempermental and seasonal in their set up needs. I picked up a parlor classical last night that I haven't played for a month or more and it was perfectly in tune. Other rock solid instruments require neck adjustments among other things.

[Stephen Perry]

Try violins. I tweek mine a little constantly!

[GRW3]

A follow up report. The reduced action is really paying dividends. I've been trying to get my speed up. Before the setup I was plateauing at about 200-210. I could do pattern exercises faster but they were muddy. Tunes were just crashing. Now I get clean exercises at 240 and tunes, while not there yet, are doable (with more pactice). I did it for playing comfort but I guess it makes sense that it takes more time to overcome high action if you prefer a light touch.

Now I'm back to dealing with my hand issue regarding tension. If I can keep my fretting hand relaxed I can play faster. So part of my practice routine is letting go of the tension in my left hand.

I also find the FFCP forms are much easier with the improved action.