Mandolin setup

Here's a few pointers about setup. I don't know much, but I know I like the action low enough so that it's very easy to play, and high enough so that I can still get a decent chop. Too loow eliminates a decent chop, and too high makes it too hard to play. That's the zen of setup, lol.
Here's two good setup resources:

www.musicmoose.org

www.frets.com

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[zeppy13131]

Also, when you lay back and play softer, people listen to you more, because the mandolin sounds pretty instead of aggressive. And it can sound so pretty.

Hmm, you know, that's probably true about a lot of instruments.  ;?)

[ktbriggs]

I agree, zeppy. I also am positive that you don't lose the core volume of your instrument with low action. You just don't have the overtones like you do when it's very high. The way your top is carved is only going to produce so much volue, which is why a good instrumen is so valuable.

I use a thick Dawg pick, and I have the action set us reasonably low. I let the top do the work for me, I don't abuse my fingers and wrist by trudging through difficult action.

[ktbriggs]

Thanks for the reply.

I used to like my action really high for a viscious chop. It was murder when trying to play fast though. Now, I don't see any reason to keep it so high. I haven't lost any volume in front of my mandolin by lowering the action.

I agree with Jethro Burns, Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, Matt Flinner, and many other great players who didn't/don't give a hoot about high action, because playabilty and great tone were more important.

[mole81]

how do you actually lower the bridge? what tools etc do you use?

[ktbriggs]

For my bridge I use a small wrench that Weber provides. The Brekke traditional bridge is the only bridge I know of that can use this wrench. For typical bridges you have to loosen the strings a bit and physically turn the thumbwheels counter-clockwise to lower the bridge.

[8strings]

Part 1) Thanks so much Keith. I really appreciate you taking the time to make this video of your own mandolin set-up. I have subsequently determined that the action on my own mandolin was too high. I also reckon that the EXP75's that I have been using might be a little too heavy for me. I have now lowered the action (G strings = 2mm and E strings = 1.5mm above the 12th fret).

[ktbriggs]

Let that mando work for you. I tried for yars to force tone out my mandolin. The truth is, Jethro had it right. You don't need high action to get volume and tone. You just need to know how to attack it. Low action and a softer attack will result in good volume and probably better tone than high action and a hard attack.

[BaronK69]

It's easy to see you're an awesome mandolin player.

[8stringmonkey]

I had way too much action on my mando as well, did some research, and contacted someone who told me a nickel should barely clear the strings on the number twelve fret, and they should barely clear the first, hope that helps someone out there with any questions about action.

[inkey2]

I do not measue it either......just adjust the bridge as low as you can w/out fret buzz

[losing2woody]

What make of mandolin is yours , brother ? I'm planning to buy one so any advice would be kind of you.

[eggsalade]

Thanks, and u look alot like David Cross

[omoshiroidayo]

what's that black piece of plastic between the bridge and the string holder?

[nutmegger1957]

On one of my mandolins, I had excess string height on the bridge end of the neck, and found that the gap between the bridge-n-saddle was about the same as the width of the adjuster screws.....so I took the adjuster screws off the studs and WHALA!!

[michelwantia]

Tough it out boys , I like a little higher than normal action for the chops , too low and you lose too much sound and the bitch starts to buzz out , it's more work but it's worht it .

Think of everything when you set up . balance between good action and great volume.

Don't forget minimal body contact with your mando when you are playing.

The backside accoustics are very important for volume projection , if you touch it with your body , you demp the sound.

I use a tone guard to help that .