Setup! Setup! Setup!

tburcham · 11-03-2009, 11:15 PM

I recently purchased a new "The Loar LM-700 from Big Joe's Guitarworks in Nashville TN (see related thread and my sound comparison links). While he sound of this mandolin is outstanding for a new instrument, I was particularly struck with the setup Joe/Josh did pior to shipping it to me. It just plays great--no rattles--easy finger pressure--intuitive...like butter!

I was so impressed that I took my Amber Weber Yellowstone to him a couple of weeks ago. I finally was able to get back over to Nashville this past Saturday to pick it up...Wow...Wow...Wow! It plays great and sounds great. While it was there, I had a Cumberland Acoustic Bridge installed, a fret dress, and the setup! Joe is big on the CA bridges and I think I'm going to be a fan as well...the tone coming out is just as pure as it can be...and the chops are just plain savage! I'm playing it without the tone-guard so I can enjoy the vibrations from a big chop chords!

If you've got a good mandolin that doesn't play great, consider taking it to a reputable luthier for a good setup....this will be the best money you can spend to increase your enjoyment of that instrument.

billbailey · 11-04-2009, 06:20 PM

Dr. Tim,

You are a lucky guy! Dan Voight always helps me with setup. Plays like butter.

Be good,

Bill

www.thebaileystrap

allenhopkins · 11-04-2009, 11:49 PM

You're both lucky; I can only get mine to play like Parkay.

Shelby Eicher · 11-05-2009, 12:01 AM

I will second Tim's recommendation. We played Byron Berline's festival last month and I was talking to Jim Triggs. He had a look at my old Gibson and siad "my God you've got low action". That's right, low action, not a buzz, power and tone, that's what a good set up will do for you. Get it set up right and you will get the most out of your mandolin.
Shelby

Big Joe · 11-05-2009, 06:59 AM

Tim...Thanks for the kind words.
Shelby..Good to see you are still around

.

A good mandolin does NOT have to have high action to produce optimum tone and volume when it is set up properly so everything works with the rest rather than fighting with itself, which is what happens in a poorly set up mandolin or one with a mediocre set up. Most mandolins need setups to bring out their full potential. Knowing what needs to be done with a particular instrument is more than just the physics but a combination of science and art. Just half the formula gives you mediocrity, but when both are combined it becomes magic! That is my opinion and my experience!

bonny · 11-05-2009, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Joe

Tim...Thanks for the kind words.
Shelby..Good to see you are still around

.

A good mandolin does NOT have to have high action to produce optimum tone and volume when it is set up properly so everything works with the rest rather than fighting with itself, which is what happens in a poorly set up mandolin or one with a mediocre set up. Most mandolins need setups to bring out their full potential. Knowing what needs to be done with a particular instrument is more than just the physics but a combination of science and art. Just half the formula gives you mediocrity, but when both are combined it becomes magic! That is my opinion and my experience!

Do you think "full potential" changes from player to player? I've always been of the opinion I set it up so it sounds great and play it there rather than get all fussy about easy action. This often means higher action than many folks prefer. Hanging out in repair shops all my life observing the comings and goings it seems a high volume repairman almost needs a degree in psychology to deal with who wants what set up how and why they think that works for them.

Big Joe · 11-05-2009, 10:21 AM

Different strokes for different folks. No question about that. However, that is a matter of personal style or technique and really is not a matter of what is optimal for the instrument. Many will compromise a bit of tone or volume to get an action that they like or are used to, even if it may not be optimal. There is a range of action that can give great performace and most often that is where it is set so the owner is comforatable with the action. On the other hand, there are times one can recommend a slight change in technique to improve the playability or tone of the player. That might be as simple as changing picks, arm/hand motion, how hard the fingerboard is gripped, any number of issues. A few times even how high the instrument was held. Watching someone play for a moment can give a lot of information as to why an instrument is in the condition it is or the plays like it does.

It is usually easier to alter the mandolin than the player. However, if approached right one can get a reasonable hearing and at the very least they will make an effort to change for the better. I have seen great results from some players after slight changes in how they play. Most often slight changes are welcomed and will be tried.

11-03-2009, 11:15 PM	#1
tburcham Tim Burcham Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Martin, TN Posts: 99	Setup! Setup! Setup! I recently purchased a new "The Loar LM-700 from Big Joe's Guitarworks in Nashville TN (see related thread and my sound comparison links). While he sound of this mandolin is outstanding for a new instrument, I was particularly struck with the setup Joe/Josh did pior to shipping it to me. It just plays great--no rattles--easy finger pressure--intuitive...like butter! I was so impressed that I took my Amber Weber Yellowstone to him a couple of weeks ago. I finally was able to get back over to Nashville this past Saturday to pick it up...Wow...Wow...Wow! It plays great and sounds great. While it was there, I had a Cumberland Acoustic Bridge installed, a fret dress, and the setup! Joe is big on the CA bridges and I think I'm going to be a fan as well...the tone coming out is just as pure as it can be...and the chops are just plain savage! I'm playing it without the tone-guard so I can enjoy the vibrations from a big chop chords! If you've got a good mandolin that doesn't play great, consider taking it to a reputable luthier for a good setup....this will be the best money you can spend to increase your enjoyment of that instrument. __________________ Tim Burcham Custom Weber Yellowstone Distressed Silverangel #257 - Loaned to Young Artist "The Loar" LM-700 70's Aria Pro II F-style Eastman AC 520 Mahogany Dread Breedlove OM Tenor Guitar

11-04-2009, 06:20 PM	#2
billbailey Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 30	Re: Setup! Setup! Setup! Dr. Tim, You are a lucky guy! Dan Voight always helps me with setup. Plays like butter. Be good, Bill www.thebaileystrap

11-04-2009, 11:49 PM	#3
allenhopkins Mando accumulator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester NY 14610 Posts: 4,416	Re: Setup! Setup! Setup! You're both lucky; I can only get mine to play like Parkay. __________________ Allen Hopkins Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello Natl Triolian Dobro mando Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back H-O mandolinetto Stradolin Vega banjolin Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello Flatiron 3K OM

11-05-2009, 12:01 AM	#4
Shelby Eicher Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tulsa Posts: 155	Re: Setup! Setup! Setup! I will second Tim's recommendation. We played Byron Berline's festival last month and I was talking to Jim Triggs. He had a look at my old Gibson and siad "my God you've got low action". That's right, low action, not a buzz, power and tone, that's what a good set up will do for you. Get it set up right and you will get the most out of your mandolin. Shelby

11-05-2009, 06:59 AM	#5
Big Joe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,645	Re: Setup! Setup! Setup! Tim...Thanks for the kind words. Shelby..Good to see you are still around . A good mandolin does NOT have to have high action to produce optimum tone and volume when it is set up properly so everything works with the rest rather than fighting with itself, which is what happens in a poorly set up mandolin or one with a mediocre set up. Most mandolins need setups to bring out their full potential. Knowing what needs to be done with a particular instrument is more than just the physics but a combination of science and art. Just half the formula gives you mediocrity, but when both are combined it becomes magic! That is my opinion and my experience! __________________ Have a Great Day! Joe Vest Big Joe's Guitarworks www.bigjoesguitarworks.com

11-05-2009, 10:21 AM	#7
Big Joe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Nashville Posts: 2,645	Re: Setup! Setup! Setup! Different strokes for different folks. No question about that. However, that is a matter of personal style or technique and really is not a matter of what is optimal for the instrument. Many will compromise a bit of tone or volume to get an action that they like or are used to, even if it may not be optimal. There is a range of action that can give great performace and most often that is where it is set so the owner is comforatable with the action. On the other hand, there are times one can recommend a slight change in technique to improve the playability or tone of the player. That might be as simple as changing picks, arm/hand motion, how hard the fingerboard is gripped, any number of issues. A few times even how high the instrument was held. Watching someone play for a moment can give a lot of information as to why an instrument is in the condition it is or the plays like it does. It is usually easier to alter the mandolin than the player. However, if approached right one can get a reasonable hearing and at the very least they will make an effort to change for the better. I have seen great results from some players after slight changes in how they play. Most often slight changes are welcomed and will be tried. __________________ Have a Great Day! Joe Vest Big Joe's Guitarworks www.bigjoesguitarworks.com