Official Luthiers Forum!

Friends,
As noted in various other posts, I'm currently building my first mandolin. I've looked around and haven't found target numbers for the geometry between the neck, bridge/saddle, and strings. I'm at the point where I need to adjust the alignment and set of the neck and I could use some direction.

[Edited to add: This is a simple Army/Navy or campfire style mandolin, so while there is a very slight arch to the top it is basically flat.]

Here's where I'm at right now:

Neck angle = 2 degrees
Fingerboard thickness = .250
Saddle height = .63

When I lay a straightedge along the top of the unfretted fingerboard it hits just at the top of the saddle. If this were a guitar I'd have a good idea as to how I should proceed, but the mandolin is basically a foreign object to me. Am I in the ballpark? Way off the mark? Are there general numbers I should be aiming to hit? Your guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

_________________
George :-)

Is that an adjustable Bridge/saddle ? If yes , then you are in great shape . When you work off the nut height above the frets at a proper distance and then adjust the bridge accordingly.


Maybe Chris O will pop in and sound off on this thread .

_________________
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Right now I have a non-adjustable bridge/saddle. I could change that, of course.

Thanks,

_________________
George :-)

I would say from my limited experience that with a set non adjustable bridge / saddle it would be done the same as a guitar in basic set up. I always use adjustable so I really cant answer with 100% sureness

_________________
The Shallower the depth of the stream , The Louder the Babble !
The Taking Of Offense Is the Life Course Of The Stupid One !
Wanna Leave a Better Planet for our Kids? How about Working on BETTER KIDS for our Planet !
Forgiveness is the ability to accept an apology that you will probably NEVER GET
The truth will set you free , But FIRST, it will probably Piss you Off !
Creativity is allowing yourself to make Mistakes, Art is knowing which ones to Keep !
The Saddest thing anyone can do , is push a Loyal Person to the point that they Dont Care Anymore
Never met a STRONG person who had an EASY past !
http://wiksnwudwerks.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/groups/GatewayA ... rAssembly/

George,

Steve Smith over at Cumberland Acoustic sets is necks on his 'Traveler' model (Army/Navey style) at 1 1/2 degrees and shoots for a 5/8" tall bridge. He uses his Cumberland Acoustic adjustable bridges that have been modified to have the feet shaved off for a shorter bridge with more contact area. He's sells them at a discount from the full blown CA patent bridges.

He said he used to use a steeper angle but the bridges would get too high, causing an excessive break angle and putting too much pressure on the top. He also had to use a fretboard wedge at higher angles.

Hope this helps out.. and do check out Steve's bridges.

Good luck, I've been doing some neck setting myself lately.

_________________
Chris Oliver
Infinity Luthiers
...in the shop.

live every minute...

Chris,
Thanks for the info. That's just what I needed to know. I'll go check out the Cumberland Acoustic site now.

_________________
George :-)