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| Mandolin setup specs? http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10128&t=45903 |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:24 am ] |
| Post subject: | Mandolin setup specs? |
Looking for setup specs for an A5 Mandolin - this one will be played bluegrass style I've found this on the web but don't know if they're any good. String Height (measures top of fret to bottom of string): Bass-side string height at 12th fret: 5/64" Treble-side string height at 12th fret: 2/32" Relief (measures distance from top of fret to bottom of string while fretting the 1st and 13th fret): Relief at 5th Fret: .005" |
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| Author: | Haans [ Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
Those are about right. Monroe referred to "Manly action" on his, but most folks find that too high. I get down to 3/64" on the treble. You need very little relief. I don't start with any... |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
Thanks Hans, I was hoping you would see this. |
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| Author: | david farmer [ Thu Jun 18, 2015 7:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
I'll just second that a lot of folks around here have the treble side down around .040" if they can. |
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| Author: | Cush [ Thu Jun 18, 2015 7:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
It is possible to get a little lower than that.  Very low action is achievable with the high tension of the strings. I use a dime at the 12th as a gauge for the G strings. Many players like very low action. Be sure your intonation is very good before you set your action. For the lowest action you will usually need a very slight amount of relief.
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
Thanks everyone - I'll be working on this tonight. |
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| Author: | Haans [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
Nice thing about action on the majority of mandolins...it's easily adjustable. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:21 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
I used an adjustable bridge on this one so it's hard to beat. |
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| Author: | Cush [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:05 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
If you go for the lowest possible action be sure to have all 8 strings at full tension when you test. There is some deflection of the top plate at full tension. On a new build I like to wait a few days before I do the final lowering of the nut slots. String tension can have effects on the top and the neck. Cutting a new nut is no fun and tends to slow things down. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:57 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
Good points Matt, thanks. I took the nut down but not all the way figuring I would wait till the finish was done and did the final tweaking on the action. |
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| Author: | Cush [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:22 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
That's good thinking Steve. It sounds like it is time to get a finish on her right now. 
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Mandolin setup specs? |
Waiting on some dye that's due in today then a few test panels. Hope to have it done with nitro on it and curing by 6/29 cause I'm having shoulder surgery on 6/30 and it can cure while I cure too 
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