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Thread: mandolin bridge

  1. #1
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    Default mandolin bridge

    I need a new bridge that maybe should be higher than normal because I cant turn the truss rod.

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    I would get a set up, before you decide. It might be you need a higher bridge, or it might be bridge placement, or one of several other things. I had what I thought was a similar problem, and it turned out I needed the neck reset.
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    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    If the neck is not straight and you feel the truss rod needs adjustment this should be done before anything else. If will not turn find out why. There is an order that things should be done in.
    Dave Schneider

  4. #4

    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Curious about neck resets on mandolins. My current design has the back plate locking the bottom (heel) of the neck. It would seem near impossible to reset such a neck. Thoughts?

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrassdan View Post
    I need a new bridge that maybe should be higher than normal because I cant turn the truss rod.
    Contact Cumberland Acoustic. They make great bridges.
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  6. #6

    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike OMelia View Post
    Curious about neck resets on mandolins. My current design has the back plate locking the bottom (heel) of the neck. It would seem near impossible to reset such a neck. Thoughts?
    "Near impossible" is pretty accurate. It's even more complicated than it looks, actually, if binding is involved. That doesn't mean it is actually impossible, just that it's not a fun job and not something you want to do the first time on a rare or expensive instrument.

    There are some great mandolins and mandolin-family instruments out there which are, in fact, impossible to do neck reset (at least, not without completely disassembling the sides from the plates and blocks). In those cases, a wedged fretboard can be made to re-establish correct neck geometry, which can be a perfectly acceptable solution.

  7. #7
    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike OMelia View Post
    Curious about neck resets on mandolins. My current design has the back plate locking the bottom (heel) of the neck. It would seem near impossible to reset such a neck. Thoughts?
    Well Mike. Most of my experience is with guitars. Usually when you need a neck reset on a guitar it is because the action has gotten too low. I would think that neck resets on a mandolin would be rare. And if you did need one it would be because the neck joint had failed. In which case some would maybe saw through the back plate to separate the heel cap from the back.
    Dave Schneider

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Every neck reset I have done on a guitar was because the action was too high, not too low. Typo?
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    Registered User PT66's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    Every neck reset I have done on a guitar was because the action was too high, not too low. Typo?
    You are right. I guess I was thinking that the neck needed to be reset because the saddle couldn’t be made any lower. I would guess that arch top mandolins don’t suffer from the same issues as flat top guitars.
    Dave Schneider

  10. #10

    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    Every neck reset I have done on a guitar was because the action was too high, not too low. Typo?
    Very good point to the OP. 90% of my builds are guitars, having only recently gotten into mandolins. As I was putting this mandolin together it occured to me the neck joint was a forever thing. So I had better get it right from the start. My guitar neck joint style is bolt on M&T. Very easy to reset.

    BTW, I think cumberland sells a bridge called the "tall boy". It is about 0.1" or so taller.

  11. #11
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    You can do some serious damage tightening the truss rod too much. Besides that is not the proper way to correct action. Take it to the luthier before you damage your mandolin further.
    Jim

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    This is a 100 dollar Saga kit mandolin I put together that is over 10 years old which sounds pretty good. Actually better than the Eastman 515 mandolin that I never play. Not looking for a neck set.

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Regardless of the value of the instrument or it’s age or origin the truss rod is not meant to adjust action. It is meant to adjust relief in the neck. Action is adjusted at the bridge given that the nut is cut correctly.
    Dave Schneider

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Cumberland Acoustics offers extra tall bridges. I would check out heir website. In the "saddle height" button the offer a "Tall Boy" option.
    Mitch Russell

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Got a new bridge. It has a gap in the middle. Do I sand the feet down right to the gap? Its a long way to go.

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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Not unless you want a one piece bridge foot. Just fit it to the top, Most bridges are two foot, one is an option.
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    should each foot be flush with the top leaving the gap open

  18. #18
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    Default Re: mandolin bridge

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrassdan View Post
    should each foot be flush with the top leaving the gap open
    The two feet should be fitted to the top with the gap left open assuming it's a two footed bridge and it sounds like that is what it is. Bridges are made with feet and as a single solid base. You've apparently got feet.
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