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Thread: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

  1. #1

    Default Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    I have come to the conclusion that it is high time I get serious about my Mandolin skill and I have begun to take steps to address that.

    Even though my Eastman 515 was supposedly setup by a pro, I have this nagging thought that while it maybe a reasonably good setup, it might be a long way from a great setup.

    So, I am looking for a great great setup! Any recommendations in my area?

    Blessings,
    Kip
    Blessings,
    Kip...

    If you think you can or think you can't... you're likely right!

    Eastman MD515, amid many guitars and a dulcimer.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    It's about time you got serious! :-) Go see Herb at Fretted Instruments.

  3. #3

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    E, The last mandolin I took to Herb he schooled me on doing my own setup and never charged me because he made me do it.... if he’d do it and let me pay him I’d be happy to! LOL

  4. #4

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Tell him I said he has to charge you this time. :-)

  5. #5

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    That just might work! He likely would be intimidated by the thought of you sicking your victious dog on him.

  6. #6
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Take a plate of cookies, and an open checkbook! Just tell him you need a refresher course and have him guide you through it again. And simply write him a check (or hand him fifty bucks) when you’ve finished the set up and the cookies!
    People try to make this stuff so hard...
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  7. #7
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Are any of your frets needing replacing?
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  8. #8

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Nope, Don... the 515 is practally new. I bought it last January because I had sold my old mandolin and was suffering from withdrawal. Herb helped put that one in shape it was an ultra cheap Ibenez and she sung like an angel, so E’s got the right idea. Last time I ended up buying a bunch of stuff from him since he wouldn’t take any cash for the setup advice. The cookies are a good touch too!

  9. #9
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Good that your frets are ok...

    My observation is that there's a difference in how a mandolin feels after it's setup by someone who does that kind of work all the time. Experience makes a difference.

    Late last year I did setup on 4 new MK ($199) mandolins (including my own), and while my work was pretty good, it was nothing like the setup work that was done this summer on my F-9 by builder Austin Clark. I'll probably still do my own setup work on my MK because it's a great learning platform, but after seeing and feeling the great work by Austin on my F-9, I think I'll reserve my nicer instruments for pro hands only.
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  10. #10

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Quote Originally Posted by Kip Carter View Post
    I have come to the conclusion that it is high time I get serious about my Mandolin skill and I have begun to take steps to address that.

    Even though my Eastman 515 was supposedly setup by a pro, I have this nagging thought that while it maybe a reasonably good setup, it might be a long way from a great setup.

    So, I am looking for a great great setup! Any recommendations in my area?

    Blessings,
    Kip
    Jason Burns at Homewood Musical Instruments is the best in town.

  11. #11
    Registered User jpugh's Avatar
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    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Quote Originally Posted by hucklebilly View Post
    Jason Burns at Homewood Musical Instruments is the best in town.
    +1 that Jason at HW Music does awesome work!
    Obviously Herb (and his shop) are also great, and Bham lucky to have to have them both. I actually didnt know they did Set-UP repair stuff at Fretted Instruments, but i shoulda assumed that they did.

  12. #12

    Default Re: Recommendations for pro setup in Bham Alabama area

    Yeppers... Herb did mine and had to fuss with him to take more cash!

    He did a great job on it! Much improved over the setup done when I had the K&K pickups install new.

  13. The following members say thank you to Kip Carter for this post:

    jpugh 

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