Newbie setup question

[Darren Kern]

I got my new Johnson MA-120 and I'm happy with it so far, for a beginner instrument it sounds pretty good and the action is low with no buzzing. My G strings seem to be a little further apart at the bridge than at the top, the others seem to be about the same the whole way down. Which is right? I'm assuming that since there's no real pronounced grooves in my wooden bridge yet (although they are *there*), it will develop some over time, and I don't want them to be in the wrong spot. Thx.

[JiminRussia]

Hydrilla, many mandolins, especially the lower priced models come to the new owner with set up issues. Unortunately not all of the purported "experts" at the stores/web sites/whatever where these mandolins are sold know beans about how to set up a mandolin nor are they willng to take the time to do it. Most have the idea that a proper set up is if mothing falls of of the instrumnt when you take it out of the case. I would suggest that you find a competent Luthier and ask him to set it up for you properly. It shouldn't cost too much, certainly under $100, more likely around $60, and you'll get another couple of hundred dollars worth of sound and playability out of your Johnson.

[Darren Kern]

Thanks Jim, I think that sounds like a good idea. FOTW seems to at least have made an effort to set it up for me, as the action is really pretty low like I said. But I will take it to get it set up when I get the money. I've got a local guy that refretted my acoustic guitar recently that I was very impressed with, so I'll ask him if he works on mandolins.