MK Intonation

[johnM]

Hey there I have a slightly new MK Evolution that I got from MF for a song. I've found that its really hard to keep this thing in tune and also to get the intonation correct. I've moved the bridge around and I think its as close as I can get but the A string constantly goes out of tune. I've changed the saddle to an ebony one I had laying around and while it has helped the sound it has not helped my problem.

So here's my question, how do I adjust the bridge to get the intonation correct on the 5th fret and also get correct tuning on the 7th fret? and how can I get the D string to settle down and sound correct and in TUNE?

Thanks in advance and I have to admit that I love this place.

john

[Tim Saxton]

I would think that your nut action maybe too high. I had the same problem. Intonation good at 12th fret bad at the lower ones. I got the action lowered and no more problem.

These MK's have known to have huge action at the nut.

Tim Saxton

ps. Nut Action......he he hehe #

[Keith Erickson]

Hi John,

After I throw on a new set of strings a couple of days after I have a little trouble keeping it in tune. Once I play it and things start to settle in and I hardly have any trouble with it staying in tune.

Yes the action is a little bit high around the nut, but you'll get use to it.

[sunburst]

Get a set up.
In these days of CNC manufacturing, inaccurate fret boards are not common like they used to be. That leaves set-up as the likely problem, and set-up includes the string height at the nut like Tim mentioned.
I've only set up one MK, so that doesn't make me an expert on what they are generally like when you get them, but that one was horribly set up from the factory, so I assume your's could be too.

[TommyK]

Get a set up.
In these days of CNC manufacturing, inaccurate fret boards are not common like they used to be. That leaves set-up as the likely problem, and set-up includes the string height at the nut like Tim mentioned.
I've only set up one MK, so that doesn't make me an expert on what they are generally like when you get them, but that one was horribly set up from the factory, so I assume your's could be too.

Is the new bridge higher than the factory one?

If so, high action at the nut would cause the same symptoms as a high nut.

[flairbzzt]

John M- Like John H said, get a said up by someone who knows how. It's worth the frustration and time you have already lost. And I've had MK's with fret/neck issues that had to be altered as well, so use some of the $$ you saved on the deal and get it done-it absolutely pays off.

[357mag]

I have two MKs, and like everybody else said, they are high at the nut. One I had to have set up. All the difference in the world! The other was playable and with a set of lighter strings(which i always put on anyway)and dropping the bridge, it worked out Ok. Although I still may have it done cuz its a keeper and worth the extra bucks to make it right.

[Greenmando]

Check and make sure your bridge is not fitted backwards as well.
I had a MK and could not get the intonation correct. Ended up being the fretboard, the scale was way off.

[levin4now]

The intonation on my MK was good when I got it, but bad after a setup - go figure. I had had the feet of the bridge sanded to fit the top better, and had the action lowered somewhat, but the intonation was bad. I could tune it fine, but it wouldn't BE IN TUNE at higher frets. I just recently, loosened the strings, moved the bridge a little, retightened strings, tuned, checked intonation, and repeated process till I had it right. It's great again!

[johnM]

Thanks for the help and it looks like a set up is in my future. I'll give it a couple more days of me screwing with it but I believe that a pro will work things out. Its a really is a nice mandolin but no Gibson by any means. But on the other hand I saved about $3700 in the process.

john

[gnelson651]

I also recently bought a MK (Legacy Deluxe) from MF and had alot of intonation problems. I told it to a local luthier who had to adjust the bridge and neck. I still have problems at the 1st fret where the action is too high at the nut.

I originally bought the MK for the savings and scroll envy but I have to say I am not impress with the sound. But I decided to keep it for awhile. When I grow tried of it, I'll sell it at eBay for probalby more than I paid for it.

I remember when MK was the buzz of the pacrim mandos. Does it seem that since Eastman has edged out MK in that area that MK has gone down hill? Or is Eastman just producing a better product?

[johnM]

Honestly I couldnt pass up the deal on MF, and for the $$ its a good mando. I'm going to hang onto it and let me kid bang on it while I search for a decent instrument. Until then, i'll suffer through the frustrations of buying a pac rim instrument. But I still contend that upon a proper set up this could be a fun thing to learn on. As far as the Eastmen things go, I just played a Eastman Archtop guitar last night and it was "pretty nice". I thought it was well made and it didn't have a bad sound. I think MK puts out a good product considering where they're made and the amount of mandolins they produce. The Eastmens just seem to have a little better quality control.

John