Forum Coffee Break: Worked on a mandolin

Posted by Liam M on 03/09/10 08:44 PM

Had to fabricate a bridge from scratch and restring it.

WOW!!!! What a fastidious instrument to tune!! You move that bridge up, down, sideways and front and back to get it right. Each time you move it, you have to lower the bridge, (sometimes even slack the strings), make what you think is the right move, then bring it back to pitch and test it. Over and Over and Over!!!

I did not have my tools, no shop near and using very primitive tools. Kitchen knife, nail file and sandpaper to make the upper bridge piece from a picture. That and no drill, just a bit to bore the alignment holes. But that part was easy, tuning that monster was anything but!!!

I never realized how difficult they were, somehow I always thought they were like guitars with a fixed bridge.
Anyone play mandolin?

2: Re: Worked on a mandolin (response to 1)

Posted by Miriam Shilling on 03/10/10 03:36 PM

I took mandolin lessons for awhile a few years back because a friend played and I fell in love with the sound. But you're right about the tuning...what a pain getting those paired strings to match! I hate to say this, but I gave up playing because it just took up too much of my time. When people ask me if it is hard to play the harp, I have to answer that no instrument is easy to play well. But, those instruments you learn as a young child always seem easier than those you try to learn as an adult (although, it's really all relative). Good luck, Liam!

3: Re: Worked on a mandolin (response to 1)

Posted by Michael Rockowitz on 03/10/10 05:09 PM

Liam,

Not exactly a harpistic topic!

But as one more example of absurd coincidence in action, I've spent a lot of time (probably too much time!) setting up mandolin bridges.

Sanding them so the feet lay flat and perpendicular to the body can be tough! Then there's the question: one piece or 2? And what kind of wood(s)?

In any event, this website is kind of: Everything you always wanted to know about mandolin bridges, but were afraid to ask!

Mandolin bridges

Michael

4: Re: Worked on a mandolin (response to 1)

Posted by Liam M on 03/10/10 07:16 PM

Michael,

Some day we must meet, I suspect we will have ours of stories to share!!
I love the site you linked and may just do a one piece before I head back stateside. (Or I may wait until I can get to my TOOLS!! Then send it back here!) This one was, as you guessed, a two piece. The top bridge piece split.

I hate to admit this, but I am not sure what kind of wood I used... I found a broken incense burner and carved it from one of the sides. It is a very hard wood and smoked and fired as well, (Even has a pleasant sandalwood fragrance to it!! LOL!!)

Having never mastered a fretted instrument, I learned a lot in the process. And also learned how much I do not know. I am tempted though to play around somemore with mandolins just to learn more of luthiery.

5: Re: Worked on a mandolin (response to 1)

Posted by Pat Eisenberger on 03/15/10 01:26 PM

Liam -

Ever hear of "MacGuyver?" You've just crossed over into level 5 of MacGuyvership...Congratulations!

6: Re: Re: Worked on a mandolin (response to 5)

Posted by Liam M on 03/16/10 07:08 AM

The gray tape guy? Wow! Thank you!!