Buzzing on the 8th fret

[Jimmy Sample]

I found a really nice inexpensive Epiphone A style mandolin, according to the guy I bought it from it was built in the late 70s or early 80s and was made in Japan. It has a very nice tone, much better than the Alvarez I'm playing now.

However, there was a really bad buzzing on about the 8th fret on all the strings, and when I played the 8th and 9th fret the tone didn't change (hope that make sense.) I significantly raised the bridge and the buzzing went away, and it now all the notes sound like it supposed to. However, now the action is really high, higher than I'm used to, but not so high to make it too difficult to play. The neck seems to be bowed (I guess that's the best way to describe what it looks like,) and I guess that is what is causing the buzzing sound.

So I have two questions: Am I correct in assuming the neck is the cause of the buzzing? And, is there another way to correct the problem...in other words would it be worth the cost to have a professional make changes to it to make the action lower without the buzzing sound.

As I said, I like the sound of this mandolin, but I'm afraid the high action might make it less enjoyable to play.

Anyway, I appreciate in input you can provide.

[Capt. E]

The neck should not be perfectly flat, but a bit concave, lowest at about the 9th fret. I suspect your trussrod needs a tweek, though you could have a fret that is a bit high. Place a straightedge on the frets to check. You can try and adjust the trussrod yourself. I have done it and it really is not hard. But I would probably suggest you take it to an expert. It may be a high fret, it may be the truss-rod needs a tweek etc. Should cost $50 - $75. Never hurts to have an expert look at a newly acquired mandolin.

[Michael Lewis]

Jimmy, what you describe is the result of a high fret, at least. One may be rising, or the neck may have settled out some stress and needs attention. As long as you can play the mandolin with the action high you will get better tone and volume than with low action. Bill Monroe played with very high action, and so does David Grisman.