Set-up Shop in Orlando area?

[Sensukai]

So I recently acquired a mandolin from guitar center as a gift and wanted to know if there is a place in orlando that I can check if its set up properly. I'm brand new to the mandolin world, so I'd like to make sure everything is in order.

[Mando Mort]

Sensukai, welcome to Mandolin Café and the mandolin world in general. I'll be interested in hearing the answer to this as we are planning a future move to the Orlando area. We currently have a winter home in Naples, FL and there are very few music shops in the area and none cater to acoustic instruments.

Enjoy your journey.

[pheffernan]

Ross Teigen has relocated from Naples to Hawthorne, east of Gainesville and north of Orlando: http://florida-luthier.com/

[Sensukai]

Huh interesting, that's about 2hrs out of town though sadly.

Would you know of any closer to the orlando area?

[Rob Meldrum]

You'll learn a lot if you set it up yourself. Email me at rob.meldrum@gmail.com and put Mandolin Set Up in the subject line. I will email you my ebook on how to set up a mandolin. The ebook is free. You'll need a set of feeler gauges (less than $10 at any auto parts store) and a file or dremel to put notches in them (I show you how to make your own nut files).

Have fun!

Rob

[Sensukai]

Would you recommend doing your own set-up for beginners? I'm brand new with mandolins and don't really know much about them. I don't really know what a proper mandolin set-up and would hate to mess up my own instrument. I just want to make sure that this instrument is properly set-up.

[Br1ck]

Rob's book and a ruler and a set of feeler gauges will allow you to do your own assessment. If you are mechanically handy, you can do the setup too. I understand if you aren't. I have a friend who hasn't one bit of mechanical aptitude that I do setups for.

But get the Meldrum e book anyway, it's free, and you will at least have an understanding of the process. A rule of thumb is the most work is needed on the least expensive mandolins. IMHO, you should get the frets leveled. That as part of a setup can run you a hundred bucks or more. Your bridge is likely to fit poorly too.

All these factors will have a direct impact on your enjoyment of playing this wonderful instrument. You can find many set up videos on The Rosa Strings Workshop YouTube channel .

[Sensukai]

Thanks! Would you recommend going to a music shop to get the frets leveled or try doing it on my own? I've read a lot online to be wary about general music shops as repairs from them can make the mandolin worse that it already is.

[Jomamma]

There’s a talented luthier in Orange City. Just up I-4 from Orlando Peter Taylor- Chellee Guitars 386-668-8840. He builds great guitars,can set up anything with strings. He has set up several guitars and mandolins for me.

Good luck

[Sensukai]

Huh, thanks! I'll keep that in mind for sure.