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Thread: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

  1. #1
    Finger Stylish Finger Stylish's Avatar
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    Default New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    Rather than Hi Jack the other threads started concerning cases, or amps for the MandoCaster I figured I would start another for just setting up the little Caster.

    String spacing:(not nut width)
    Outside to outside at the nut = 1.12"
    Outside to Outside at the 2 piece bridge = 1.586"
    These measurements are quite a bit wider than my Alvarez which is .868" at the nut & 1.478" at the bridge.
    I actually prefer the wider string spacing.

    First: The bridge while adjustable is a headscratcher is several ways. First I feel the the 2 piece barrel should have 2 screws per barrel for scale length adjustments as I have not been able to make the pitch completely happy at the 12th fret. Close but naaaaaaaahh. 2 screws per barrel would also keep them more stable from string tension.
    Second: The String height adjustment screws are very long as installed at the factory in Indonesia . After I tweaked and bent this and that, I got the string action at a quiet yet happy level of play-ability. I did end up grinding off a strong quarter of an inch off of each height adjustment allen screw, so they can be fully recessed into the barrels. This allowed me to space the strings symmetrically, which consequently had some going over the allen screw holes. The measurement between string pairs is .37" I feel like a spacing shim to keep the two part bridge from moving / changing the spacing, will be in the works.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    The neck did not require any relief adjustment at standard tuning tension.
    The strings were Stainless Steel wound .036-.026-.015-.011 (unknown brand)
    I like the way it plays. I'm also sure that settling in will require making more adjustments.

    NOW Anyone else want to add to the MandoCaster8 "Tweak It" thread??
    http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/My_Stringies.JPG
    Mandolins- Early 1900's A, Kentucky KM-350, GuitarWorks-A style, Fender MandoStrat 8gone, Alvarez A-800(gone)
    Banjo - 1980 Alvarez Silver Bell (tweaked to peak)
    Guitars- 1976 Martin D-28,1992 Taylor 420, RainSong H DR 1000, Gretsch Anniversary Model. (I'm the original owner of all the Guitars listed)
    Bible - NASV

  2. #2
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    Have the FM61se 8 string its got 4 bridge pieces and 4 thru the body ferrules for the strings ..
    replaced the whole scratch plate with one I made, and put an EMG Stacked humbucker in it , new jack
    and a new gang pot so the 2 knobs used the same space . 1 was in the way, playing, before..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
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  3. #3
    Registered User Jeff Budz's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    I picked one of these up a few weeks ago on a good sale price from Zzounds, only was $200 so I couldn't pass up. Out of the box the nut height was causing tons of intonation problems on the lower frets and the bridge needed to be lowered and intonated. I used welding torch tip cleaners to deepen the nut slots. I also shortened the string height adjustment screws cause they really ground away at my palm when playing. After lowering the nut slots and bridge height and intonation the bridge the mando really is great to play. It's my third electric and by far my favorite (my first was a 5, then a 4). The 8 string just feels right and sounds more mandolin-y to me than the other electrics.

    The strings feel a little weird to me, want to get some nickel strings for it...

  4. #4
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    2 bridge pieces with the height setscrews and each Filed wit offsets toget the intonation right

    and notched to make the string pair spacing as you like it can be fabricated..

    But as I read these forums , the DIY motivation are from past generations.



    With the pair of balls sharing the same hole , perhaps that one also has 1 broken string

    making replacing it with the other one now covering the hole ,

    make it also requiring de tuning of the remaining of the pair .
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  5. #5
    Kazoo Specialist York's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    How does the mandocaster 8 sound before the mods? Is it any good factory default?
    A kid who likes mandolins.

  6. #6
    Finger Stylish Finger Stylish's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    Quote Originally Posted by York View Post
    How does the mandocaster 8 sound before the mods? Is it any good factory default?
    Sounds pretty much the same, just more player friendly.
    I'm still trying to work out the sounds aspects.
    http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/My_Stringies.JPG
    Mandolins- Early 1900's A, Kentucky KM-350, GuitarWorks-A style, Fender MandoStrat 8gone, Alvarez A-800(gone)
    Banjo - 1980 Alvarez Silver Bell (tweaked to peak)
    Guitars- 1976 Martin D-28,1992 Taylor 420, RainSong H DR 1000, Gretsch Anniversary Model. (I'm the original owner of all the Guitars listed)
    Bible - NASV

  7. #7
    Market Man Barry Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    I am going to use the grinding idea on my strat as it has the same problem. I covered the adjustment screws with shoe goo (can pick it off for adjustments) as it was killing me as well. my cheap squire didn't have this problem
    Kala tenor ukulele, Mandobird, Godin A8, Dobro Mandolin, Gold Tone mandola, Gold Tone OM, S'oarsey mandocello, Gold Tone Irish tenor banjo, Gold Tone M bass, Taylor 214 CE Koa, La Patrie Concert CW, Fender Strat powered by Roland, Yamaha TRBX174 bass, Epiphone ES-339 with GK1

  8. #8
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: New Fender MandoCaster 8 tweak it thread

    They are set screws (of a standard size) see if you can find shorter ones..
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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