On the E side my F hole is is higher at one of the points. This is not a pic of my mandolin. It's just to show where the problem is. If it is a problem.
On the E side my F hole is is higher at one of the points. This is not a pic of my mandolin. It's just to show where the problem is. If it is a problem.
What brand, how old, bought new or used?
Fullerton. Few weeks old. Bought new. Solid top.
I got my camera to work. Here is a pic.
Not normal in the sense that it was meant to be that way, but it's not uncommon.
Probably, what's going on there is not the "wing" of the f-hole sticking up, but instead the center part of the top sinking down a little bit from the pressure on the bridge from the strings. That happens to a lot of mandolins, and they can work just fine that way. If it continues to get worse, it may indicate a problem with a top that is too weak.
It is also possible that the "wing" is, in fact, sticking up.
If you clamp a top on with..say...spool clamps when you glue it, and the top is still a little bigger than the rim, so that the edge of the top hangs over the rim a little, you can torque that part of the top by levering it over the edge of the rim, and cause those wings to stick up. I've seen that happen, and it looks like the top is sinking in just waiting for bridge pressure that isn't even there yet.
Don't worry about it, but keep your eye on it, and if it gets worse, then see about getting something done about it.
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
Should I send it back? I got a 45 Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. I have 30 or so days left.
Since you don't have a lot of time (on the return policy) to "wait and see", it might be wise to return it.
curt
I wouldn't say without seeing the mandolin.Originally Posted by (yetislayer @ Feb. 06 2007, 18:16)
I've seen some very good ones with a little bit of that going on.
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
Thank for the replys. I'm going to go ahead and send it back to be on the safe side. If I keep it the idea of a problem is always going to be on my mind. They are paying for the shipping so I have nothing to lose.
This generally is not a problem with the top sinking. I've noted this in my mandolins even before the top is glued on without any tension.I think it is noticed because the f-hole is right in the recurve in this area and the wood next to this point that is removed is on an angle. It can be exagerated if the recurve is not exactly the same across this area. That is what I think anyway.
Take life by the horns
It's hard to tell from the pix, but a little is normal. Consider that the top is carved, ff holes cut and tone bars glued on. Later, when it's strung up you have 50# of pressure put on the top. That surely will sink the top some causing the effect. To check it, use a piece of card stock and run it along the top till it contacts the raised portion of the ff hole. If it's more than 1/32", it might be a problem. Another fact to consider is that area of the ff hole is pretty fragile. With the inside raw wood, and the outside finished (and shrinking), that could cause some curling of the area upward.
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