Re: setup issue?
Do the G strings go sharp or flat ?.One of the first things i'd do is to check for worn or 'sprung' frets. By 'sprung' i mean a fret that's sligthly come out of it's slot. Get a 12" steel rule & place it on edge along the fingerboard & look for any frets in the 5th fret area that might be up or down. If a fret has lifted only slightly at one end,it could affect the strings there without affecting the other
strings.I had a similar problem with an old pre-war Banjo years ago.It was so old,the neck wood had dried out & the frets were begining to loosen. It's only a long shot but worth checking. If a fret is unduly worn,then the string fretted at that position,will most likely touch the next fret along & note sharp.
If you find that you can't solve the problem yourself,then pay a visit to a good luthier.If the mandolin is as you say,of 'respectable quality',then it's worth it. These guys know of things we've never even thought of - good luck,
Saska
Weber F-5 'Fern'.
Lebeda F-5 "Special".
Stelling Bellflower BANJO
Tokai - 'Tele-alike'.
Ellis DeLuxe "A" style.
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