String it up "in the white"?

[Caleb]

I've seen this several times on the forum and have always wondered why do people string up thier newly built instruments without the finish?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[billhay4]

1) To test the tone so that they can make fine adjustments in the arching, neck shape, etc.
2) Because they're too impatient to wait for the finish to fully dry (my current situation).
Bill

[MikeEdgerton]

I think you'd rather find out you had problems with the neck angle and such before you finish it.

[Mark Franzke]

I also leave the inside points of the F-holes uncut until I string it up, then after I place the bridge, I cut the points to line up exactly in the center of the F-hole. I will play it for a week or so and see how the neck feels in my hand, and see if there are any fret issues. I always make some adjustments before finishing.

[Dale Ludewig]

There are so many reasons for stringing up in the white, IHMO, that I can only list a few...First: You get the hardware on and fixed up without screwing up the finish. (You take all of it back off of course before you final finish). You get to adjust final sound, as best you can, before finish is on. You also, and in my opinion, can adjust the neck shape to the player, especially if you can have them visit your shop at this step, and many other things.

I used to not string up in the "white", 25 years ago. Never again. JMHO. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Stephanie Reiser]

My first two I strung up in the white, but have not since.
I did not make any changes in the white that I couldn't make during set-up, so I just go ahead and finish them first.

[Caleb]

I think you'd rather find out you had problems with the neck angle and such before you finish it.
The neck angle issues makes sense, as does making other adjustments, now that you all mention it.

I ask because I'm in the middle of a build and wondered if this is something that I should do before putting on the finish.

Thanks for all of the responses.

[Keith Newell]

I agree with Amanda Lyn. I no longer string them up in the white and have learned to look for the sound I want by tapping before finish. I just recently sanded down a instrument and had to go past the stain that penatrated and then I changed the type of finish and got a totally different sound. I also have gotten a totally different sound from a strung up instrument in the white and what it finished up as with finish on it.
Keith
http://www.newellmandolin.com

[Fretbear]

Leaving the neck bare for later oiling (or finishing) really lets you dial-in the feel of the neck profile.