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Thread: String Spacing Question

  1. #1
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    Default String Spacing Question

    I have a 4x5" JPEG 860KB I want to upload and ask a question. The photo shows exactly what I want to ask. I've tried several times to upload the file and must be doing something wrong as I have not been able to see the photo. The photo is now visible.

    So I will ask my Question.

    If you look at the top photo you will see the tenor strings spacing wider. The bottom photo is the way I am use to seeing on all of the mandolins I have owned.
    Can anyone tell me the reason for the wider spacing on the tenor strings and if this is normal? I inherited this mandolin from a friend who passed away a few years ago. He was very active in the Georgia mountain music club and may have had his mandolin set this way.
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    Last edited by JEStanek; Aug-10-2016 at 7:45am.

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    Default Re: Uploading Photo

    It looks to me like there is a notch where the first G string should go nearer the end of the saddle, the other G would go where the first is now making your spacing correct. There may be another notch that shouldn't be there. By moving only the G strings you should have a fairly even spacing.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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    Registered User John Kelly's Avatar
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    Default Re: Uploading Photo

    Maybe set that way as there is less lateral movement in the thinner strings when they are vibrating, so they can be placed a bit closer together without the risk of them touching each other when you pluck them.
    I'm playing all the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order. - Eric Morecambe

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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    I wish I could change the subject name to string spacing. This was what I wanted to name it before the upload problem.

    Thanks, Guys for your input. It seem that I may not ever find out why the string are this way. It could have been changed by someone by accident after my friend died and before getting the mandolin to me.

    edit: I updated the thread title. JEStanek
    Last edited by JEStanek; Aug-10-2016 at 7:46am.

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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    I updated the thread title for you. It may have been a replacement bridge or work done on it by someone who had a specific reason, or it just may have been a bad layout.

    Jamie
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  6. #6
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    When I got the Fossil Walrus Ivory Upper bridge piece from AK , I marked the spacing of the original Bridge

    on Business card stock & Mailed It w my check. It is a choice .

    some one made it for you, perhaps the person who had it before ,
    or just it came that way and they left it so.

    After the fact, .. we Just Guess ... create Mythology, or whatever..
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    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  7. #7
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Looks to me like the bass-side D string just needs to move medially (closer to other D string) to normalize the spacing.
    But personally, I'd make each course a little tighter also.
    Phil

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    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Just an opinion, looks like a botched job of string spacing. If it were mine, I'd re-work the saddle or replace the saddle with a new one and space the strings more logically. It'd drive me nuts otherwise.
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Quote Originally Posted by JEStanek View Post
    I updated the thread title for you. It may have been a replacement bridge or work done on it by someone who had a specific reason, or it just may have been a bad layout.

    Jamie
    Thanks, I'm sorry in being so long in thanking you.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Thanks, to all who gave me an idea. He may have had his mandolin set this way, why, was the question? After reading your response I now believe it happen after he passed on. Why or how I may never know, but I believe it was accidental.

  11. #11
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Quote Originally Posted by StartedAt67 View Post
    ... why, was the question?
    Just a guess but, based on experience, the G-strings may have been so close to the fretboard edge that one was being pushed off when fretting. A "more correct" solution would be to set the bridge's position based on the strings' centering over the neck rather than the bridge's centering between the f-holes.

    Looking carefully, there seem to be various other string slots across the saddle, so somebody must have done a bunch of experimenting.
    - Ed

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  12. #12
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Thanks, I had not looked at the fingerboard to see how close the G string was if placed back in the outer notch. I will move the G strings to the top notches and check the edge of the fingerboard.

  13. #13
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    When you move the G strings the bridge may not be centered. I think someone did this instead of moving the bridge sideways.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  14. #14
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Quote Originally Posted by EdHanrahan View Post
    Looking carefully, there seem to be various other string slots across the saddle, so somebody must have done a bunch of experimenting.
    After enlarging the photo, I can see what Ed has seen, and it's pretty obvious in the enlarged photo that both G strings, and the inside D string, are all three out of their original slots. They may have been nudged there accidentally, or perhaps someone restrung it without attention to getting the strings in their slots.
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Quote Originally Posted by EdHanrahan View Post
    Just a guess but, based on experience, the G-strings may have been so close to the fretboard edge that one was being pushed off when fretting. A "more correct" solution would be to set the bridge's position based on the strings' centering over the neck rather than the bridge's centering between the f-holes.

    Looking carefully, there seem to be various other string slots across the saddle, so somebody must have done a bunch of experimenting.
    Thanks for explaining 1 reason it was set this way.
    I placed the G strings back to what I consider normal spacing. Played several songs using the G and A strings mainly and everything seems normal, no problem with the G strings going off the top of the frets.

  16. #16
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    Default Re: String Spacing Question

    Thanks, to all who gave me a reason the strings were set this way. Since I have moved the G strings to what I consider normal I find no problems with the strings and the octave on each set is normal. It also plays well and has a good tone.

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