bgmort
May-19-2015, 1:15am
Recently I became interested in picking up the mandolin. After a lot of online research, including on this forum, I got close to choosing the KM-150, from the Mandolin Store. Then I discovered the KM-256, which for $100 more, comes with a $70 hardshell case, more attractive finish, and higher quality components. I was sold.
When the mandolin first arrived, there were no obvious issues with it. The bridge looked a little concave when viewed from the end, but had been filed so the strings themselves were level, so I didn't think too much of it. Intonation was spot on, and the action seemed right, if a little tough on my fingers for the first little while. It didn't stay in tune long, but I would expect that from a new instrument.
A few hours in I noticed a consistent buzz at the C# on the 4th fret of the A string. Looking closely at it, it seems that there's a low spot on that particular fret. After noticing it, it because quite an annoyance, and after a day or two I started to wonder if I ought to return it to have it fixed.
Tonight, as I was playing it, I noticed a small crack on the bridge, near the post under the E string and only visible from the inside. It looked like it might be the source of the slight bowing of the bridge, and if so, it was probably there when the instrument was set up since the bridge had been filed so the strings were level. Obviously this was going to need to be returned or repaired.
I played on for a while. Somewhat suddenly, the strings started going way out of tune. Then I saw the culprit: the tiny crack in the bridge was spreading. It is now well across the bridge and I wouldn't be surprised if when I look in the case again it's broken all the way across. After 6 short days, my mando is ruined. :(
I have reached out to TMS to see what they can do for me. I paid a few extra bucks to purchase it from them rather than somewhere bigger and cheaper based on recommendations that I found here, so let's hope that it pays off now!
Thanks for listening; I just wanted to tell my sad tale. Hopefully there's a happy ending.
When the mandolin first arrived, there were no obvious issues with it. The bridge looked a little concave when viewed from the end, but had been filed so the strings themselves were level, so I didn't think too much of it. Intonation was spot on, and the action seemed right, if a little tough on my fingers for the first little while. It didn't stay in tune long, but I would expect that from a new instrument.
A few hours in I noticed a consistent buzz at the C# on the 4th fret of the A string. Looking closely at it, it seems that there's a low spot on that particular fret. After noticing it, it because quite an annoyance, and after a day or two I started to wonder if I ought to return it to have it fixed.
Tonight, as I was playing it, I noticed a small crack on the bridge, near the post under the E string and only visible from the inside. It looked like it might be the source of the slight bowing of the bridge, and if so, it was probably there when the instrument was set up since the bridge had been filed so the strings were level. Obviously this was going to need to be returned or repaired.
I played on for a while. Somewhat suddenly, the strings started going way out of tune. Then I saw the culprit: the tiny crack in the bridge was spreading. It is now well across the bridge and I wouldn't be surprised if when I look in the case again it's broken all the way across. After 6 short days, my mando is ruined. :(
I have reached out to TMS to see what they can do for me. I paid a few extra bucks to purchase it from them rather than somewhere bigger and cheaper based on recommendations that I found here, so let's hope that it pays off now!
Thanks for listening; I just wanted to tell my sad tale. Hopefully there's a happy ending.