Hyburn

[Wiles]

Hello! I'm new to the forum, and new to the mandolin as well!

I was surprised about a month ago when I was gifted a hyburn mandolin. I've never really known much about this instrument, so everything is new to me. I practiced with it at first, but moving and starting university stopped me from playing it for a while (all of my callouses came off :()

The top (4th?) strings sound muted while the rest of them seem to ring more clearly. Is this normal on a mandolin?

Also I was curious if anyone knows anything about Hyburn mandolins? I tried looking them up, but didn't have any luck.

Anyway - here's a pic of the mandolin

[Bill Snyder]

It should have a made in sticker somewhere on it if it is imported. Looks very much like the imported Johnson brand of mandolins.

[mandolooter]

Yes, all strings should ring clearly.

[Wiles]

Thanks for the information. It does have a sticker on the inside, but it doesn't say where it is made.

I know it's a hard question to answer without seeing it, but do you think if I brought it to someone who fixes stringed instruments that the top strings could be adjusted to ring properly?

[man dough nollij]

The strings just might be dead. A new set of strings would be a good place to start. There are some good threads here at the Cafe on how to do it.

It might pay to have a shop do it, with you watching. Have them take a close look at the nut slots and bridge saddle, and ask them if they think it needs setup work.