The 1914 Gibson mandola I inherited from dad was a bad shape when I got it. The top had sunken and one of the sides was coming apart. My luthier did magic and turned potential kindling back into a vital instrument. The neck was in good shape, but he added a light brace under the bridge to prevent further sinking, restored the original curvature to the top and reglued everything. Now, after a few years, it needs a new set-up to prevent buzzing around the 8th fret. I don't think the top has sunk but will have Brooklyn Lutherie take a look. Should a delicate instrument regularly live at A-440 or some lower tuning--420 or 390? Using the lightest gauge strings I can find. When I gig, I bring it up to concert pitch, but my understanding is that these instruments were designed before 440 was the standard and they do better with less tension. Thoughts?
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