another mandobird question

[comicbookguy95]

so got my Mandobird VIII in yesterday and i feel its a bit tough to fret. the nut may be a bit high and in need of filing but i am thinking of restringing it with a lighter gauge string to see if that helps before putting my new mando in the shop.

also could be weak hands/ fingers/ uncallused finger tips. i most often play bass (yea i play an epi thunderbird!!) and a some electric guitar (Gibson SG) so it could be im just not used to the smallness of the strings and need to spend some quality time with Mr. Mandobird.

any help is awesome

God Bless:mandosmiley:

[Daniel Nestlerode]

cbg95,
It probably needs a set up. Take it to a good repair person/luthier. In this case, they don't a lot of experience with mandolins because the 'bird is --for set up purposes-- a small electric guitar with 8 strings. Nut files of the correct sizes will be useful though!

My experience with these little beasties is that when they leave the factory the nut is left too high in the slots and the intonation is not set properly at the bridge.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

[comicbookguy95]

why thank you my good man!! i had the dreadful feeling that that was what i was gonna have to do with. thank you for confirming my fears, now i just have to come up with the $$$$ to get it done.

[high_lonesome_sound]

The strings they ship with the Mandobird are horrible, too. Changing strings will make a big difference.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Good source for emando strings: emando.com (http://emando.com/shop/index.htm). (NFI)

(Since you play an SG, you might want to take a look at this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59042). :mandosmiley:)

[Daniel Nestlerode]

cbg95,
A set up should cost much less than one hundred dollars. So knock a couple of dollars signs off your estimate and get going. ;) I have never seen an electric solid body instrument (especially one from across the Pacific Ocean) that did not need set up work.

Instruments are like cars. When you get 'em new, you gotta break 'em in, and they need a tuneup once in a while.

Daniel

[comicbookguy95]

man you guys rock!! so glad i found this site and forums. ive been asking questions on a guitar site and everyone there is a self-rightous metal head wanna be prick. everyone here seems honest and sincere!!!

thank you once again

(and those SG mandos almost made me have to change my pants they are so awesome)

[carranti]

(Not sure if I'm doing this right, but...)

I'm converting a mandobird IV into an octave version and I'm in need of some hardware. Namely, the back plates and screws, and the electronics (I'm using a P-bass pickup.)
Any leads on where to find this stuff?

Fred Carranti

carranti@syr.edu