Remove Frets & Scoop

[CBFrench]

On my 305 there is absolutely no musical tones coming from the last six frets, nothing but a muted thump after fret 17. I'm a beginner at mandolin but not stringed instruments, so thinking it's not me but the instrument

[Jim Garber]

On my 305 there is absolutely no musical tones coming from the last six frets, nothing but a muted thump after fret 17. I'm a beginner at mandolin but not stringed instruments, so thinking it's not me but the instrument

Could be some setup if you really want those frets. You still might not get the dulcet tones but they may sound like something. Another consideration is resale. If you scoop or chop it off you may get even less on resale. Not so crucial since it is a lower end instrument bought used, but you will lose some resale value. On the other hand if you have your heart set on doing it, then chop or scoop away.

[CBFrench]

tks, it was just a thought in being able to pick up the neck more cleanly for the tone at times, no biggie and I don't ever get that high even on guitar. I'm sure I'll leave it as it is.

[Marcus CA]

My left hand never goes above the 19th fret. My right hand usually goes around West Palm Beach, where the sweet spot of my mandolin lies. I was a mandoclicker.

Last year, I finally decided to get the Florida scooped, so I took it down to Gryphon for the operation. The guy in the service department was a newbie and clearly a guitar-only guy, so he had no idea what I was talking about or how much it would cost. Finally, he called Frank over. Frank asked me how bad the click was, because if I wasn’t totally digging in, a $45 quintuple fretectomy would take care of the problem. If it didn’t, I could bring the mando back for the $250 excavation.

I took the gamble and won. The click is gone, and I have yet to reach for a fret that is no longer there.

[Jeff Hildreth]

I do not recall Jethro having played any mandolins that were emasculated.