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Thread: First E-Mandolin build

  1. #26
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Got the neck pocket cut. Tight fit.. little too tight.

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  2. #27

    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Quote Originally Posted by Englishman View Post
    Got the neck pocket cut. Tight fit.. little too tight.

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    I think the fit of the neck in the pocket has a very quantifiable affect on the tone and sustain. It is a notorious arguing point for Les Paul vs Stratocaster . Too tight = job well done.

  3. #28
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Quickie mockup.

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  5. #29

    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    A couple comments based on your posts.. I target 3/4-7/8" thick at the first fret(includes fretboard) and 1" at the 16th fret(my neck joint). I like for the fretboard to be 1/16" proud of the top. 1/16" gap plus 1/4" thick fretboard plus .010" frets plus .030" action puts you at 11/32" on a 3/8" tall bridge. Any more than that and you'll end up limiting your range to adjust the action. I'd encourage you to run a straight edge down your fretboard to see how it compares to the height of the saddles. It seems high to me. Sorry for the unsolicited suggestions but hate to see you glue that in and it be too tall.

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  7. #30
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

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  8. #31

    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    She's looking great Englishman!! I like the looks of the all yellow for an electric but the burst will be nice too.

    Regards,
    Len B.
    Cleawater, FL

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  10. #32
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Hey thanks. The original intent of this build was for the guitarist in the band who exclusively uses a burst Les Paul, I thought it would be amusing to echo that in this build.

  11. #33
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Wanted to get most of the body staining done before gluing the neck in, save a lot of masking off.

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  12. #34

    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Impressive work! What glue will you use? I have wondered about that for a while. It is most likely covered in a past thread that I have not found yet.

  13. #35
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Thanks. Titebond 1 all the way!

    - - - Updated - - -

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  15. #36
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    I ordered a set of strings from Emando.com on the 8th. Hopefully they will arrive eventually.

  16. #37

    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Its looking good.

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  18. #38
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Tru Oil coats drying.


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  19. #39
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    By way of an update. The finish is curing and I might as well wait for the strings from Emando.com to arrive.. which on Friday will be ONE MONTH since they shipped them.

  20. #40
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    It just occurred to me how dumb I'm being.
    I can just get two sets of D'Addario 10s and put a set together, yeah?

  21. #41
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Hey Englishman, presumably you are in England then?
    If so, try Strings Direct ..... they sell single strings so you can make your own set up.
    I suggest D`Addario XL electric guitar strings in following gauges.... 0.010", 0.014", 0.024"W and 0.036"W

    Incidentally, these strings are ideal for Mandobirds and the early Mandocasters with a compensated bar type tailpiece as intonation can be set up perfectly.

  22. #42
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Quote Originally Posted by Soundfarmer Pete View Post
    Hey Englishman, presumably you are in England then?
    .
    Ahh, no, I'm actually in the Detroit USA area. Thanks though.

  23. #43
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Well, got strings on, everything works... except.... the double A string is buzzing open.. big time. It's fine at the first fret so I have to conclude the zero fret is too low. I left it for a day hoping the string tension would introduce some relief, but it didn't. Zero tension on the truss rod. I leveled the frets but didn't include the zero fret. I suspect that if I had, I would have noticed it was low, the first fret was a little low but they easily leveled. Amazing how quick it goes compared a 24 fret Jascar fretted bass neck. It seems my options are limited to:
    Level the frets again, but lower than they need to be so as to make the zero fret 'higher'.
    Install a higher Zero Fret.
    Shave the neck so it is more flexible and will bend with string tension.
    Toss it in the dumpster and buy a Harley Benton/Eastwood ready made.



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  24. #44
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Since I had a pile of fretwire here, I selected a piece that would work and replaced the zero fret. Success!

    I looked up three chords.


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  26. #45
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Quote Originally Posted by Englishman View Post
    So the 12 string bridge arrived (finally)


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    Pulled two saddles off, look like it will work.

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    Half top load, half string through


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    And gluing the top on.
    Won't the string spacing be wonky if you just use the center four saddles on that bridge plate? I recently used Gotoh 12 string saddles to convert my Mandobird VIII's bridge and had to move the centers.

  27. #46
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    I guess it depends on what you regard as 'wonky'. I didn't come across anything really definitive on bridge spacing.

  28. #47
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Quote Originally Posted by Englishman View Post
    I guess it depends on what you regard as 'wonky'. I didn't come across anything really definitive on bridge spacing.
    IIRC the Gotoh 12 string courses are spaced at 10mm, but the coursed on my Mandobird VIII were 12.5mm (I increased that to 13mm since there was room on the bridgeplate and neck to go 1.5mm wider overall).

  29. #48

    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    My bridges are 11mm on center for mandolins and increase to 12mm on center for tenor guitars. I think what Roger is suggesting as "wonky" is that the bridge base is off center, to the center line, but the strings are centered. The 12 string bridge he used is 10.5mm on center. A wider spacing, 11mm to 11.5mm, would put the strings right over the pole pieces. Did you wind the pickup? For a first emando, it looks great. Very much impressed by the hand rubbed burst.

  30. #49
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Hmm, the center screw for the bridge is right through the centerline. I can see where a slightly wider spacing would tidy things up a little but were I to do another I'd go for some kind of TOM bridge.As it is, it seems to play great to some of us non Mando players and it's already in the possession of the guitarist that will be using it for two songs with the band. I didn't wind the pickup, I kinda like the maple bobbin covers and surround though.

  31. #50
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    Default Re: First E-Mandolin build

    Quote Originally Posted by thistle3585 View Post
    My bridges are 11mm on center for mandolins and increase to 12mm on center for tenor guitars. I think what Roger is suggesting as "wonky" is that the bridge base is off center, to the center line, but the strings are centered. The 12 string bridge he used is 10.5mm on center. A wider spacing, 11mm to 11.5mm, would put the strings right over the pole pieces. Did you wind the pickup? For a first emando, it looks great. Very much impressed by the hand rubbed burst.
    Yes, Andrew explained it better than I did!

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