Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

  1. #1

    Default Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    Any tips for this? I have an old mandolin that I'd love to makeover from the ground up :-)

  2. #2
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Manchester - Lancashire - NW England
    Posts
    14,187

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    Well, a bit (lot ?) of additional info. wouldn't go amiss here !. What style / what make / what age / what's wrong with it ???.

    There's Galaxy's worth of info. & experience on here - but help us out a bit,
    Ivan
    Weber F-5 'Fern'.
    Lebeda F-5 "Special".
    Stelling Bellflower BANJO
    Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
    Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.

  3. The following members say thank you to Ivan Kelsall for this post:

    G7MOF 

  4. #3

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    And good as new may not be what you want to achieve. But if you have a wreck of a teens Gibson say, with missing fingerboard and a bad refin, then a restoration might be in order.

    If it's a wreck of a round back worth $200 on a good day, you may have nice wall art.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  5. #4
    ===========
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,628

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    Also - you might get much better information if you post this question on the 'Builders And Repair' forum . . . .

  6. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,874

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    Actually better information if you post some pictures.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  7. #6
    Registered User Russ Donahue's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    869

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    Spokey - welcome to the Cafe!
    Make America Grateful Again!

    2013 Collings MF, 2017 Northfield NF2S, 2019 Northfield Big Mon F
    1968 Martin D12-20, 2008 Martin HD28, 2022 Martin CEO 7
    1978 Ibanez Artist "Flying Eagle" Masterclone Banjo

  8. #7

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    I'm not looking for a total restoration, just a dirty old mandolin with bad strings, scratches on the finish, dust everywhere, etc. :-)

  9. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Boulder, CO & Chesterfield, MO
    Posts
    2,562

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    Photos please

  10. #9
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    take off all the strings. The bushings about the tuning pegs may fall to the ground, so collect them in advance. The floating bridge will likely fall to the ground, so watch that!

    Use soft damp cloth. You can use soap if you want to. Don't use spray furniture polish, it has silicone usually and that's bad. If there are marks that are too goopy for soap or water, try lighter fluid - no joke - on cloth.

    I like a microfiber cloth (dollar store rag for furniture) at the end - and keep one usually in my case.

    Replace the strings, don't forget the bushings. Put them all on, one by one with just enough tension for a bit of sound. Get the bridge in the correct location. Bring the mandolin up to pitch. I'd do each string halfway, then halfway again, then to pitch. No use having eccentric loads when you don't have to.

    You're done!

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  11. #10
    Mediocre but OK with that Paul Busman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Frederick,MD
    Posts
    2,304

    Default Re: Getting an old Mandolin to be in "Good as New" Condition

    If you're really shooting for "good as new"you might need to refinish it. This is a whole topic in itself.
    I'll add to the chorus asking for pictures and more info on your particular old mandolin.
    For wooden musical fun that doesn't involve strumming, check out:
    www.busmanwhistles.com
    Handcrafted pennywhistles in exotic hardwoods.

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •