How to set up a mandolin

**David Lewis** · Jun-30-2012, 8:19am

His is a free e book by Rob Meldrum. I've found it pretty useful. (I have a JBovier solidbody and a crafter ovation copy, so the work you do on the bridge doesnt apply to me. A nevertheless, it's well written and practical, and I'm hoping o remove a little buzz from my crafter. This book will help

Thanks Rob, it's terrific.

**David Lewis** · Jun-30-2012, 8:34am

You can ask for a copy from rob.meldrum@gmail.com.

**Eddie Blevins** · Jun-30-2012, 3:18pm

I used it to set up my first build from scratch last weekend. Very well written and infomative. I highly recommend it.

**Mandogar The Vile** · Jun-30-2012, 5:57pm

Rob sent me a copy the other day, read through it this morning. Looks very good, and also looks like I should be able to lower my action quite a bit. I love his DIY nut saws as well, what a great idea. Looking forward to tinkering and breathing some new life into my clunky beast, with any luck it may help me get some of those Steve Kaufman tunes up to speed

**Wastafair** · Jul-02-2012, 12:31pm

+1
Great Job from Rob. Very coherent, informative, useful, complete.
Thanks Rob.

**bwachter70** · Jul-02-2012, 1:37pm

Great book. I think I found the issue of my buzzing on one of my mandos. Thanks for sharing this.

**kkmm** · Jul-02-2012, 6:12pm

I love his DIY nut saws

I also got an earlier copy from Rob quite a while ago. It's very informative. I have setup nearly 10 mandolins and increase my experience and confidence in mandolin setup. I have also lowered the action of a few guitars. The "nut saws" made from feeler gauge set (4$/set) are good for mandolin, but are not big enough for the guitar strings. I discovered that the rotary tools kit below
http://www.harborfreight.com/80-piec...kit-68986.html
contains a few pieces, out of the 80, about size of a 1.5" to 2" nail with various diameter size that can be used as nut file, one per string.

**r.riley77** · Jul-08-2012, 8:35pm

Just received the eBook I requested from Rob. I'm surprised by how detailed it is. Tons of good info and very comprehensive.
Thanks Rob.

**Milkman** · Jul-19-2012, 7:02am

Thanks for posting this thread. I just sent an e-mail to Rob.

I thought all my mandolins were set up relatively well until I received what I expected to be a "beater" (Ovation MCS 148) and was more or less stunned at how much better both the action and intonation were than any of my other (more expensive) mandos.

I'm anxious to read this e-book.

**belbein** · Jul-19-2012, 8:36am

I had the same experience. I practiced Rob's method on my $100 in-the-office POS. It sounded so much better than my "good" mandolin I was shocked. That gave me the courage to do the same set up on my Gibson, and the sound was night and day. Kind of pissed me off that the people I bought it from did such a bad job, but ... it was good for my education.

**stewbag** · Jul-19-2012, 1:50pm

I've also gotten the book. VERY VERY good. Thanks Rob

**dan auerbach** · Jul-19-2012, 5:15pm

Where can I get this free ebook?

**greg_tsam** · Jul-19-2012, 5:55pm

Originally Posted by dan auerbach

Where can I get this free ebook?

Did you read post #2 and send him an email requesting a copy?

**moxie** · Jul-19-2012, 6:22pm

I got a copy and found it usefull, old dogs can still learn new tricks. Moxie McCoy, Tucson

**lgibjones** · Jul-21-2012, 3:28pm

Hello,

I too got a copy, and am very impressed and grateful. It is exactly the type of resource I was looking for as I try to obtain a better setup on my own for my travel mandolin. Thanks Rob!

**JH Murray** · Jul-22-2012, 4:09pm

Wow. What a resource! I've tried making a few cigar box guitars and mandos, but always felt there was something lacking. Rob's book gives the goods on the proper set up which every instrument needs to sound right. Even if you aren't going to do it yourself, it shows you what needs to be done and how to check that it has been done right. Many thanks!

**fceltia** · Aug-06-2012, 5:18am

This Ebook from Rob is amazing. I purchased a mandolin on ebay and the seller shipped it with out a bridge. I purchaed a new bridge, installed it and the mandolin just wasn't right. Read through the book and setup the mandolin using it and I now have a mandolin. That is amazing and really fun to play.
Thanks Rob

**Sid Simpson** · Aug-06-2012, 4:18pm

Just got a copy of the book, and it has some very useful and accessible information. I will be using some of it to check on my mandolins and will feel more comfortable in making tweaks along the way. Thank you!

**StuartGold** · Aug-06-2012, 11:18pm

Just got mine tonight as well as the two video links that he posts with it. Looks GREAT! Thanks Rob!!

**Chuck Ficca** · Aug-07-2012, 6:17am

Wow, Rob, how generous of you to provide this excellent tutorial to the community for free. Thank you.

**markbaptiste** · Aug-08-2012, 2:52pm

Rob, thanks so much for providing this free e-book. It is very thorough and educational. I especially like the example of trouble shooting the buzzing string. Your hard work and generosity are appreciated.

**MartinMandolin** · Nov-07-2012, 4:10pm

Just got my book from Rob , very useful ,well written and helpful thanks very much

**gbarnett** · Nov-07-2012, 5:33pm

I got my book from Rob, a while back, and was too thick to thank him.
Thanks Rob, I'd like to echo what everyone else says about the quality and usefulness of your book and for your generosity in making it available to all of us.

**Perry Babasin** · Nov-11-2012, 8:43am

I emailed Rob a while ago and "thought" I didn't hear back. My email program filtered the mail into another folder. Found it today and it is fantastic. Thanks so much Rob for this well written, detailed and concise book. Excellent!

Cheers..................... Perry