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SteveSmith
 Post subject: Mandolin setup specs?
PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2015 11:24 am 
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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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Haans
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:20 am 
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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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SteveSmith
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:25 am 
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Thanks Hans, I was hoping you would see this.

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david farmer
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 7:18 am 
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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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Cush
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 7:35 am 
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It is possible to get a little lower than that. 8-) 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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SteveSmith
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 6:06 pm 
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Thanks everyone - I'll be working on this tonight.

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Haans
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:08 am 
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Nice thing about action on the majority of mandolins...it's easily adjustable.
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SteveSmith
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 8:21 am 
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I used an adjustable bridge on this one so it's hard to beat.

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Cush
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:05 am 
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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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SteveSmith
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:57 am 
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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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Cush
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:22 am 
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That's good thinking Steve. It sounds like it is time to get a finish on her right now. :)

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SteveSmith
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:34 pm 
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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 laughing6-hehe

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