Mandolin Set-up E-Book by Rob Meldrum

[intermediary]

thanks rob! just picked up a Martin Backpacker mandolin off of craigslist -- having all those measurement techniques, and the expected values, went a long way to convincing me i hadn't purchased a lemon!

[PatS]

Emailed Rob for the book today and got a response just hours later. Very excited to get started fixing up my mandolin. How great that we can all help each other out instead of having to just pay specialists to handle these things for us.

[jbiker]

Thanks, Rob. Great help!

[Ryan Donahue]

I just got this e-Book from Rob and it looks great. Thanks a ton Rob!

[Ian Lamb]

Many thanks Rob. Lots of great information in your Ebook.

[Dan O'Sullivan]

Got the book. Three great things about it. First, personally, is that I'm reassured I didn't get a clunker (Savannah, but from a good shop). Second, I know I will go over my mandolin and do whatever tweaks I can. Third, I know that this process and this information will make me a more informed consumer when I'm ready to step up. Thanks Rob.

[Bunsen]

Thanks for the ebook Rob.

Just what I needed with lots of really good information and tips.

[fiolmattias]

I just recieved the ebook as well, and it seems to contain a lot of useful information for a newbie like me

[JPR]

Thanks for the book. It will be a great help.

[colonelcurry]

Thanks Rob. First time poster here. Just bought an old fender fm53s and I'm looking forward to tinkering a bit. I'll let you know how it goes!

[Brian B]

Just got the book from Rob — it's filled with great info, clearly written and presented. Very helpful.

Thanks, Rob. Thoughtful and generous contribution to mandolinists everywhere.

[dwoodcock]

I emailed Rob and now I am patiently awaiting a response. Looking forward to using his book to help setup my first mandolin.

[svemee]

Thank you very much for your e-book. Great idea about the improvised nut slot files!
Sven

[smokinop]

Email sent. Thanks in advance. Kevin

[will-k]

This is a very useful and comprehensive reference and instruction document. Not to be sneezed at.

Many thanks to Rob for being so generous in providing this so freely; along with some very helpful web pages at Frets.com i managed to recover my poor old Mandolin after 12 hours in transit to Tokyo.

I admit i only partially followed the guide - too terrified of upsetting things if i started to tinker with fret heights, truss settings and the like on an inexpensive $500 Mandolin. But the basics of matching the string half-length to the 12th fret, sanding the bridge feet, gently adjusting the bridge height worked wonders. The action is definitely still off but i encountered some buzzing at the 12th fret which i didn't want to start messing around with, so practicality got the better of me. I also found i had to adjust the bridge angle so the g-string was very slightly longer than the e-string in order to get a perfect octave interval when setting the intonation - I haven't understood the underlying physics behind this yet...& while not wishing to fall out over a trivial matter i know my ear is very reliable for tuning and I don't quite agree with the need for a tuner (web-apps are available!)

As a footnote I'd already previously replaced the strings and adjusted the nut height following advice from JHS who made my Pilgrim VPM400 mandolin, but this remains sound advice within the guide. The stringing advice is particularly helpful as is the complementary information on Frets.com - mine were rather messy & i have new strings in the post...And i have tried all sorts of pics including felt, wood, bone, horn, plastic...that's a whole new world of discovery!

Now i can't wait to find time (and the courage!)to try this guide in full to see the results. I have a lot to learn and Rob's ebook has been a really great leg-up

cheers!

[Rowdyways]

Thanks for mando set up ebook. Definitely needed the help!

[Iainmor]

Thanks Rob,

I have struggled with setup for some time now.
\your generosity has made it easy.

[simonsays]

Thank you, Rob Meldrum, for sharing your expertise and love of music. I just bought a mandolin, am new to stringed instruments, and know that your set up guide will be an invaluable starting point for me. Feeling inspired!

[PMeade]

Thanks Rob for the E-book. It is very informative.

Much appreciated

Paul

[dadbeat2002]

Thanks very much for the e-book Rob. Just starting on mandolin after 50 years of geetar picking. I know the info in the book will help me become wise in the ways of mandolin.

[Flacomd30]

Rob,
Thank you so much for providing this informative e-book to the Mandolin Café masses! Have not had the chance to go through it and apply your knowledge but soon I will!

Thank you again,

Matthew

[norskbob]

Rob,

Thanks very much for sending me the setup ebook!

Bob

[TSC]

Thank you Rob. Your ebook is a great tool to have!

[NoreasonTaco]

Thank you for the ebook!

Having just picked up my first mandolin and feeling slightly overwhelmed, it is a relief to see how much effort and knowledge has been captured in this book. Although my immediate goal may be "get instrument to sound gooder", I feel like this book provides a solid foundation for lifelong learning about Mandolin care and maintenance.

[Skip Brownlow]

Thanks Rob for e book and the quick reply looks like it will be a great help.

Skip B.