How high should mandolin strings be?

Set the action measuring from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the bass and treble strings. Our factory specs for mandolins and mandolas are 1/16” of an inch on the treble side and slightly higher on the bass side. Octave and cello are setup at 5/64” on the treble side and slightly higher on the bass side.

How high should strings be at 12th fret?

For electric guitars, in our opinion, a good default string height at the 12th fret is typically about 6/64th of an inch (2.38mm) on the bass side and 4/64th of an inch (1.59mm) on the treble side.

How do I know if my mandolin action is too high?

If the action is set too high, the instrument becomes too hard to play. If the mandolin feels too stiff to play, lower the bridge. If the strings buzz, raise the bridge.

How do you adjust the string height on a mandolin?

String height is adjusted by filling the nut slots until the strings are at the desired height. Twelve thousandths (0.012) of an inch clearance under the G and D strings and ten thousandths (0.010) under the A and E are the advisable measurements.

Why does my mandolin sound bad?

Old strings cause tuning issues. You should replace mandolin strings at the first sign of rust, or as soon as you notice a bad tone. Replacing the strings often is a good habit that helps avoid tuning issues, but also you must take care to select the string type appropriate for your mandolin.

Is some fret buzz OK?

Because of different style preferences, some players are okay with a little fret buzz as long as their action is as low as possible. However, others may find even a little fret buzz distracting and uncomfortable. If the pitch doesn’t change when playing adjacent frets. If you can hear the buzz through your amp.

What should my string action be?

Typically preferred action on an electric guitar is around 1/16″ (1.6mm) on the high E string and 3/32″ (2.4mm) on the low E string when in standard tuning using standard gauge strings.

Why do mandolins have a floating bridge?

The bridge can generally move along the mandolin towards the neck or to the tail, sliding over the soundboard if the strings are in place. Of course, if the strings are removed, the bridge will drop, since mandolins are built using free floating bridges for better sound transmission.

How often should you tune a mandolin?

The shine of the strings will dull, dirt will collect in between the windings on the D and G. I change mine when the A strings won’t stay in tune any more. With normal playing (practicing at home an hour a day, gig once every two weeks average, rehearsals three times a week) they’ll last maybe two weeks or less.

What is the bridge on a mandolin?

Mandolin setup is all about positioning the bridge in the proper place to achieve intonation, i.e. the mandolin to sound “in tune” when you play higher on the fretboard, up to the 12th fret or even higher. This is especially important in mandolins where bridges are “free-floating” and therefore have a tendency to move.

How big are the strings on a mandolin?

Set the action measuring from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the bass and treble strings. Our factory specs for mandolins and mandolas are 1/16” of an inch on the treble side and slightly higher on the bass side. Octave and cello are setup at 5/64” on the treble side and slightly higher on the bass side.

How much Frette does a mandolin player need?

A mandolin needs very little relief. One to two thousandths (.001) of an inch, measured at the sixth fret, with the string fretted at the first and twelfth, works well for most players. This is about the thickness of a piece of paper, so not much at all.

Where is the action on a mandola mandolin?

Action. Set the action measuring from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the bass and treble strings. Our factory specs for mandolins and mandolas are 1/16” of an inch on the treble side and slightly higher on the bass side. Octave and cello are setup at 5/64” on the treble side and slightly higher on the bass side.

How can I get my mandolin to play in tune?

Intonation is the adjustment that allows the fretted notes to play in tune with the open string. Check this by tuning your open string, then fret at the 12th fret and see if the fretted octave is in tune. If the fretted note is not in tune with the open string, you adjust it by: