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Thread: How frustrating! Just my luck!

  1. #1
    Registered User Froglips's Avatar
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    Default How frustrating! Just my luck!

    So I buy a new Cumberland Acoustic bridge from Elderly Instruments (60 bucks). Of course the saddle string slots are not cut.

    I figure I will just get my handy dandy Stewmac proportional string slot ruler out, and cut those string slots quicker than you can say Bill Monroe!

    But first I tape some sandpaper to the top so I can fit my new bridge to my arch top.

    So I finished fitting my new bridge to my arch top.
    Now I very carefully position the bridge evenly and exactly between the F holes, and tape them down.

    I whip out my Stewmac slot ruler, and check for the right grouping at the nut... But I could not get any of them match up. So I decided to eye-ball it. Yeah, right!
    This is when I realized that there was no way in hell I was going to be able to get the bridge string slots cut in the correct spots myself.

    So I bring the mando down to the shop to have them mark the slots for me.
    20 bucks later (Now I have spent 80 bucks on this bridge) I get it home, string it up, and start setting the intonation. After I get the intonation right on the money, I notice that the bridge is not straight. It is angled towards the tail piece on the treble side.

    So, I start looking at pictures of mandolin bridges on mandolins online. DAG NAB IT! I had the saddle on backwards!

    ... But technically it was not my fault, because, Cumberland Acoustic, (Bless their hearts) marked the bottom of the bridge so a reasonably intelligent person would know at a glance which side went where.

    This is how they mark the bottom:

    T B

    So, of course this must mean Bass and Treble, right? NOT!!!!!! It meant Top and Bottom! What an idiot I is!!!!

    So due to the fact the guy at the shop put little cuts in the saddle so it would be easy for me to cut them when I got home (Which I did not cut deeper yet), the E strings are cut slightly too low in the saddle after I turned it the correct way.

    So, now I have to sand down the top of my saddle, and start over (100 bucks for this bridge... So far).

    Jeeze! I really need to stop working on my on instruments from now on.
    Frog...

    It's not how you pick your nose ... It's where you put the booger!

  2. #2

    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    No harm done. As a professional, I can't count how many times I've needed to return to the beginning and start again. If you were faced with the same problem again, you'd take another approach and this is exactly how people learn to fix instruments. It isn't something that everyone enjoys. Some do and some don't. But you didn't hurt the instrument. The $100 is $100 less you'll spend on maybe an unhealthy vice.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    practice on a generic inexpensive first e.g. https://www.amazon.com/Golden-Gate-M.../dp/B005N5USYU

    Other tips: check for grit on back of sandpaper, don't inhale ebony /rosewood dust, look at old threads about fitting feet and saddle slots:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...a-bridge/page2

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ng-bridge-feet
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    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Why not leave it. Did it play well, sound good, who cares if it's backward, and I am with you I would have thought that meant Treble and Bass? In my mind that makes more sense.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

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    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Cumberland marks the bridge bottom with T & B which means "TOP & BOTTTOM" ???
    REALLY???????
    Phil

    “Sharps/Flats” “Accidentals”

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  7. #6
    Registered User Roger Adams's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    "All education costs something."

    PS: I would also have thought T and B meant Treble and Bass........
    If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a vet.

  8. #7
    Registered User Froglips's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by Philphool View Post
    Cumberland marks the bridge bottom with T & B which means "TOP & BOTTTOM" ???
    REALLY???????
    I meant the saddle. Not the bridge. That would just be too obvious.
    Frog...

    It's not how you pick your nose ... It's where you put the booger!

  9. #8
    Registered User Froglips's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    Why not leave it. Did it play well, sound good, who cares if it's backward, and I am with you I would have thought that meant Treble and Bass? In my mind that makes more sense.
    It did sound good backwards. It just looked weird, and I am way too anal retentive to leave it that way. Lol!
    Frog...

    It's not how you pick your nose ... It's where you put the booger!

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  11. #9
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    If you're going to just use two letters why no G and E. Or what ever is needed for the instrument it is destined for.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  12. #10
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    I'm still stuck on this. If T & B is written on the BOTTOM of the saddle, how can that mean "top & bottom"?
    And why do you think that? Was it explained somewhere?

    I'd love to see the final saddle; perhaps a photo from the top, or front & back. Please???????
    Phil

    “Sharps/Flats” “Accidentals”

  13. #11
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    I've been hoping Steve would chime in. I can't find anything on his website about these markings. I mark the bottom of my saddles and bridges T and B as well but it stands for Treble and Bass.
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Jul-24-2019 at 11:12am.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  14. #12
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    If you order directly from Steve at CA, he will send you the bridge with the slots already cut in it.
    aka: Spencer
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  15. #13
    Registered User Froglips's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by Philphool View Post
    I'm still stuck on this. If T & B is written on the BOTTOM of the saddle, how can that mean "top & bottom"?
    And why do you think that? Was it explained somewhere?

    I'd love to see the final saddle; perhaps a photo from the top, or front & back. Please???????
    One end of the saddle is set back further than the rest of it. That side had 'T' on it. So when you hold your mando in your hands, is there not a top and bottom? Top being the G string. Bottom being the E string.

    I think this because every picture I see of a descent saddle on a mando is place as I stated. Even the high end Collings, Webers, and others at Acoustic Vibes were placed this way. So I must have been wrong.
    Frog...

    It's not how you pick your nose ... It's where you put the booger!

  16. #14
    Registered User Froglips's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by soliver View Post
    If you order directly from Steve at CA, he will send you the bridge with the slots already cut in it.
    I know. The problem is that I ordered some other things from Elderly at the time, and I got this from them as well to put me over the 75 dollar free shipping mark. They did not seem to have a pre cut saddle option. Or I just missed it.
    Frog...

    It's not how you pick your nose ... It's where you put the booger!

  17. #15
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    This is the proper orientation. What you have described is the Treble end as being the Top.

    (Thanks to Gail Hester for posting this picture years ago)
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    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Jul-25-2019 at 6:52am.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  18. #16

    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    One end of the saddle is set back further than the rest of it. That side had 'T' on it. So when you hold your mando in your hands, is there not a top and bottom? Top being the G string. Bottom being the E string.
    This is the proper orientation. What you have described is the Treble end as being the Top.
    That has been the hardest thing to get through to my dearly beloved spouse in helping her learn to play mandolin, that down is up and up is down. That higher musically is not higher physically.

    Does anyone suppose Steve from Cumberland is reading this and shaking his head?

  19. #17
    Registered User Froglips's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    This is the proper orientation. What you have described is the Treble end as being the Top.

    (Thanks to Gail Hester for posting this picture years ago)
    DOOD! So I guess I owe all of you an apology for being a complete idiot! I had it right the first time. T is for Treble. I swear I saw some mandos with the saddle the other way. Sorry to have wasted everyone's time with this post.
    Frog...

    It's not how you pick your nose ... It's where you put the booger!

  20. #18
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    This is a nurturing community. You don't owe anyone an apology.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

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  22. #19
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    This is a nurturing community. You don't owe anyone an apology.
    Sometimes I think more of us here could remember this quote. Thanks Mike
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  23. #20
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    I have been lurking on this discussion and I am glad that it has gotten resolved. My faith in B and T and (Cumberland) has been restored.

    Now to make myself a good BACON and TOMATO sandwich.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  24. #21
    Dave Sheets
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    Default Re: How frustrating! Just my luck!

    You didn't waste anybodies time-the conversation resulted in some good folks helping fix a problem for you, and it may well help somebody else with the same problem down the line. Call it a win all around.
    -Dave
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