New Old Mandolin

[Anagallis]

Hello, my first post!!

I thought this may belong in the vintage section, but it doesn't relate wholly to the age of the instrument.

I recently acquired a 1914 Gibson A3, which sounds amazing, however it has a higher action than I am used to and I am finding it hard to play, even with light strings.

The action pretty much 2mm (.08 inch) at the 12th fret.

I really don't want to jigger about with the bridge etc. if I don't have to, seeing as it sounds so great and it is such a classic.

How long to get used to the higher action/new instrument? (I've been playing for about a year on a modern mandolin with super low action, and a lot less oomph)

Any advice gratefully received.

146750

[mrmando]

Looks like a nice one. You could have a luthier fit an adjustable bridge to it, and keep the original bridge in the case. Also have it checked out to make sure the nut slots are the proper depth and the neck is straight.

[JeffD]

How long to get used to the higher action/new instrument?


I don't think there is ever a reason to "get used" to a bad set up. Your mandolin can be set up to be wonderfully playable with great tone and volume, all you could want, without harm to the instrument.

[Anagallis]

Thanks to both of you. I'll have someone have a look at it.

I'm not experienced enough to tell myself whether it is badly set up or just has a higher action than my regular instrument.

Failing a mandolin specialist, could I entrust it to a guitar specialist? I'm in the Uk and there aren't that many of the former.

Cheer

[Bill Clements]

Hope this (http://www.mandolin.org.uk/makers/) helps.

[Anagallis]

Thanks Bill, very usefull

[Charles E.]

Congratulations on the Gibson A-3! When you do take it to a luthier to have the string height adjusted, ask him, or her, to take a look on the inside to inspect the brace (just in front of the bridge, on the top). It is not uncommon for the ends of the brace to come loose on these mandolins. It is an easy fix if you need it.

[houseworker]

Whereabouts in the UK are you?

[Anagallis]

Cheers Charles

- - - Updated - - -

Winchester

[UlsterMando]

I left my 1923 A4 with a talented Northern Ireland guitar builder for a set up
and was very happy with the result. If you don't know of a local luthier perhaps
the guys at TAMCO in Brighton might have a recommendation. Good luck.
Used to spend a lot of time in Winchester, regards to King Alf.

[houseworker]

That's a lovely looking mandolin. You'll want to take it to a luthier who's worked with mandolins before for a diagnosis, and hopefully a cure. The average instrument dealer's guitar tech won't have a clue I'm afraid.

There are several possibilities within easy reach of Winchester.

I'd be inclined to try James Cole first. He has a good reputation as a maker of lutes and other period instruments as well as classical guitars. When he's not working, he plays banjo in a bluegrass band, so he's likely to have worked on a few archtop mandolins in his time. Here's his website: http://jamescoleguitars.co.uk/

In Aldershot there's Joe White, who builds the occasional f-5 mandolin. Website: http://www.jwhite-guitarworkshops.co.uk/

Brian Hayward at Hayward Guitars says that he works on mandolins. Website: http://www.haywardguitars.com/

I've no direct experience of any of these luthiers, although I've seen one of James Cole's lutes, a very nice piece of work.

That's three options to get you started, which are reasonably local to you.

[houseworker]

Mandolins such as yours, that have a non-adjustable bridge, can suffer a changing action through the year depending on the relative humidity. If you're advised that the bridge needs lowering, it's generally best to get a new, lower bridge made and keep the original in anticipation of needing to swap back come the winter.

Plenty of people prefer to fit an adjustable Loar-pattern bridge (as Gibson did themselves) to get round the need for summer and winter bridges. But you lose the elegance of the original pattern bridge.

[Anagallis]

Thanks, :)

I'll let you know how it goes..

[dschonbrun]

Thanks to both of you. I'll have someone have a look at it.

I'm not experienced enough to tell myself whether it is badly set up or just has a higher action than my regular instrument.

Failing a mandolin specialist, could I entrust it to a guitar specialist? I'm in the Uk and there aren't that many of the former.

Cheer

Speak to Trevor at The Acoustic Music Company in the UK. He can recommend a luthier.

[Anagallis]

Thanks to all

I found Ian Robinson, we just met for lunch....lovely guy, knows his stuff, all of your feedback and suggestions passed on.

Ian Robinson Mandolin Repair (http://www.string-instrument-repairs.co.uk/about/)