Part 3: Setup
Ultimately a mandolin’s potential can only
be realized by proper setup. In general,
the better instruments respond to finely
honed setup more than less expensive
trade instruments. A super expensive
bridge and fancy strings won’t help
without optimal installation. The exact
setup that is optimal depends on the
particular instrument and player. But a
generic setup suitable for the quality level
of the instrument does fine as a starting
point.
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On a new mandolin, we generally:
- Check fit and finish.
- Tighten all screws, including the post screw of tuner sets.
- Check endpin tightness
- Check to see that trussrod nut is engaged
- Lubricate tuners if required
- Check bridge fit, usually refitting to our standards.
- Rough set bridge height & position
- String up.
- Fit afterlength damper for mandolins undergoing optimization
- Adjust nut slot depth.
- Lubricate nut slots and bridge notches.
- Tighten E and G outermost strings to tension.
- Set preliminary action height.
- Set intonation.
- Tighten all strings to pitch.
- Check relief and adjust truss rod as required.
- Check for fret troubles.
- Test play for intonation, action height, make adjustments as required 19.
Settle bridge so pressure is even 20. Retune & test play
That’s a pretty comprehensive setup. Someone buying an instrument should get
an instrument that is set up well and plays well. This doesn’t always happen.
We do lots of setups on instruments sent to us.
Go to: | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |
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