Mandobird

[Doug Ezell]

I've got an 8 string mandobird that I really love. #It fits in well with my country/rock band, "The Midlife Chryslers." #I got it through Elderly so it was set up nicely. #However, I notice that the E strings don't seem as loud as the others (I've changed strings). #Any advice our counsel? #

Thanks a lot for anyone's help!!
Doug Ezell
Billings, Montana
Gibson F5 Fern, Varnish (2003)
Gibson F4 (1914)
Commodium 8 string steel bodied mando
Mandobird 8 string

[John Flynn]

I am no expert, but I would try heavier E strings and cranking up the treble. Also, make sure the E strings are not too deep in the nut slots. If that doesn't work, perhaps a different pickup is in order. I have hear some people have had good luck with P-Bass pickups, but I can't vouch for that personally.

[Ted Eschliman]

Personal experience with a P-Bass pickup (Seymore Duncan) on the 4-string M-bird here, and yes, this is most definitely a drastic improvement on these instruments over the sub-par stock pickup. I fear the best set-up in the world won't help the electronic volume, and a thicker E string is an unsatisfying band-aid on the sonic "ouch."

The good news: these instruments are the one of the best bang-for-buck musical instruments out there, they just need a little more investment to make them a gig-worthy ax. If you are a do-it-yourselfer and good with a solder gun, you don't even need to route a new hole; if you're not (like me) it's worth paying someone to do it.

[WJF]

Hi Ted,

Out of curiosity, what was the specific model of the Seymor Duncan pickup you used and ... did it really not require any re-routing of the pickguard/hole??

I'm interested in improving the the sound of my (black)bird too!

Thanks!
Wayne

[Frank Russell]

Yep, me too. #My E string is pretty weak, compared to the others. #It's my only complaint, especially after I put Ted's emando strings on. They play smooth and easy. #Frank

[thistle3585]

I know quite a few people who put Bartolini pickups in their mandobird's with reported great results, but I really couldn't get them to work in one I built without increasing the size of pots in it. I am guessing its due to the wiring configuration in a mandobird.
You might also try lowering the G string side of the pickup. It may not be the E string, but that the G is over powering it in regards to balance.

[ShaneJ]

...or raise the treble side, if it's low.