Reply The instrument has a bright, sweet sound that is well-suited for strumming and fingerpicking. Then I heated the fingerboard to loosen the glue beneath it. It's nice to see an in depth 'ible on instruments, there is very little on here pertaining to luthier work. A straight edge is used to measure the neck for straightness. This made for clean cuts and a better looking form. Adjust the bridge. on Step 12. nice build, good looking flatiron. The four horizontal lines in this figure represent the four pairs of strings on the mandolin, with the first string (e) being the top line and the fourth string (g) being the bottom line. Firstly playing the mandolin with clean hands will make a massive difference to string life. Move the bridge up and down the body of the mandolin so that the strings are at the desired height from the fretboard. We think it's just cool. Don enjoys connecting with musicians and believes that music should be a conversation, not a contest.

","authors":[{"authorId":9491,"name":"Don Julin","slug":"don-julin","description":"

Don Julin has a reputation for being one of the most eclectic mandolin players/instructors on the scene. CountryInstruments.comis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Check the nut slots. This type of plywood has many more plies and is a made from denser/ higher quality wood than standard pine plywood. I used the same clamping setup later for gluing the sides to the blocks. This video is clipping from an old interview with a master mandolin player, the father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Before shaping out the neck, cut a slot for the truss rod about 3/8" deep on the table saw or router or whatever you have. Once I was satisfied with the side profile, I marked out the top profile. Once the glue was dry, I planed the top to its final thickness and cut out the top shape with plenty of overhang.Back BracesI made the center joint reinforcement out of one piece for this mandolin and glued it on first using a clamp at either end and a set of wood braces used to clamp the middle postion of the brace. You have to hold down certain strings with your left-hand fingers and strum. With the body clamped down securely on drill press, I drilled the four holes at least an inch deep each using an 1/8th inch brad point bit.Attaching the ButtonI glued on the oversized rosewood button using wood glue. Tilt the neck about 45 degrees upward. The bridge takes care of three main things: Most mandolins have a flat fingerboard across the fret as opposed to most guitars, which have an arch to the fret. He also teaches mandolin at music camps. The pivot is 5.5" from the blade to create the 11" diameter cut. The neck is a long part that is attached to the mandolin body and allows the strings to run at the length required to produce the mandolin beautiful sound. It took a lot more care and time to cut out the holes without breaking the top.BracesThe braces were first cut out of a larger piece of spruce sold to be used in guitars. I began to create the bridge's shape by first marking out the side profile of the bridge on the blank and then removing the majority of the unneeded material with a bandsaw. These holes prevent interference with the corners of the tail block when it is snugly fit into place. You only need to start playing. {"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:51:40+00:00","modifiedTime":"2021-03-11T16:19:05+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:17:55+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Academics & The Arts","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33662"},"slug":"academics-the-arts","categoryId":33662},{"name":"Music","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33730"},"slug":"music","categoryId":33730},{"name":"Instruments","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33731"},"slug":"instruments","categoryId":33731},{"name":"Mandolin","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33737"},"slug":"mandolin","categoryId":33737}],"title":"Mandolin For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"mandolin for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"mandolin-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-uk-edition","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Get a basic understanding of chord diagrams, tablature, and the fingering for a few common scales to make playing the mandolin a lot easier. I have only desired to sing one style of music. Please check the fields highlighted in red. This mandolin also has a bit less bass response compared with a typical f5 mandolin. Otherwise, they are tuned the same and have a similar tone. Use the A string to determine relief. Heel trim and butt angle. The frets are metal bars that are installed along the fretboard of the mandolin. We'll go through each, and have a look at how they are interrelated. A setup is a very personal thing, but no matter how you like your action, there are several important points to consider when setting up a mando: string gauge, neck relief, bridge radius, action height, intonation and string height at the nut. Once the source of the problem has been identified, it can be corrected and the mandolin neck can be straightened. The fingerboard must be lifted over the body, and if necessary, partially or completely removed. There is a very thin line between a low action that plays well, and a low action that causes the strings to buzz constantly. The top of your bridge sits on those wheels, which move up or down when you turn them, raising or lowering the action. Does it sound like a real mandolin? Redwood is supposed to make excellent tops. Check the neck joint. I did this before cutting out the area where the tail block would be held. Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. You get top-quality pieces made to fit: Dovetailed curly maple neck Peghead veneer 29-slot ebony fingerboard THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR. You have oils, dead skin and muck which will find its way onto the guitar strings. That method took at least two people, one to hold the side in place and the other to stretch the rubber band. Ibanez 8-String Mandolin M522 (Best F-Style Mandolin) 12. From there, I carefully taped across to the unseated side until the entire fret was seated up to the tangs. This will help to determine how much the neck needs to be adjusted.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'countryinstruments_com-leader-4','ezslot_17',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countryinstruments_com-leader-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'countryinstruments_com-leader-4','ezslot_18',131,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-countryinstruments_com-leader-4-0_1'); .leader-4-multi-131{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. This method works, but it's clumsy to work with and isn't the most stable since the block can bend and therefore let the head block move (although only a little bit. To finish the neck (besides carving which is actually most labor intensive part of making the neck), I cut out the top profile and sanded it smooth. Check the strings. Fine-shape the bridge using files and sandpaper. And you can get away with murder because of the novelty value. The rubber band system was especially helpful for positioning the sides accurately when gluing, even without an extra pair of hands. Mandolin will not stay in tune - Construction Issues. In conclusion, it is important to make sure that the mandolin neck is straight in order to ensure a good playing experience and sound quality. Remove the strings from the mandolin and place the instrument on a flat work surface. So you've been woodshedding for weeks, trying to cop your favorite Grisman lines, and all you have to show for it is a sore left hand. To finish the frets, I re-rounded them with a crowning file and then sanded and buffed them to a shiny finish.Filing the FretsTo dress the frets, I filed them the edges individually in order to give them an appealing angle and remove any sharp edges. First, I carved the lower end of the neck to match the contour of the ham can's top. Tape off the neck where you want to stop so you have a nice line there. 0727 Red Spruce Top Wood For Mandolin or Violin I cut out the form's top profile on the band saw and smoothed it with a drum sander then friction fit the tail block into its recess. To many, the mandolin falls firmly in the "folk instrument" category. I held the fretboard in place with a bunch of quick grip clamps all along the neck and over the body for even pressure.TunersI installed the tuners with the included hardware. Check the headstock. A bowed neck can also cause the strings to become too high off the fretboard, resulting in a poor playing experience. If you were wondering what the little wheels under your bridge top do, this is it. ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9491"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"

","rightAd":""},"articleType":{"articleType":"Cheat Sheet","articleList":[{"articleId":173994,"title":"Reading Chord Diagrams for the Mandolin","slug":"reading-chord-diagrams-for-the-mandolin","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/173994"}},{"articleId":174004,"title":"Playing Some Essential Mandolin Chords","slug":"playing-some-essential-mandolin-chords","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/174004"}},{"articleId":173992,"title":"Meeting Mandolin Tablature","slug":"meeting-mandolin-tablature","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/173992"}},{"articleId":173993,"title":"Getting Melodic with the Essential Mandolin Scales","slug":"getting-melodic-with-the-essential-mandolin-scales","categoryList":[],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/173993"}}],"content":[{"title":"Reading Chord Diagrams for the Mandolin","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"

The grid here represents the six frets of the mandolin as if its standing upright. This project is a sequel to my first mandolin project, Building Mandolin No. Have your 4th finger over on the 5th fret of the 4th string and your 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of string 3. It may be necessary to steam it loose. String should just barely touch 1st fret. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Don enjoys connecting with musicians and believes that music should be a conversation, not a contest. I used chisels freehand to remove the wood from the button area and to smooth and flatten the final surface to accept the button.Bending the BindingI used the same rig to bend the binding as I used to bend the sides. 002Built by Chris Williams, 2006. Straightening a mandolin neck requires the right tools and careful execution of the task. This setup worked quite well for my purposes. would anyone dare try this at home? Add Tip Ask Question Download Step 4: The Rim Gluing on the Sides I used the same system to glue the sides to the blocks as I did to hold them on after bending. The MD315 is a perfect mandolin for bluegrassall solid woods at a very fair price. This can be done by rolling off the tuning pegs, or by removing the bridge pins if the instrument is equipped with them. I sanded the excess with the spindle sander again. Up to an additional 30% off shop-wideEnjoy weekend savings on Fender, Gretsch, and moreShop now. In the process I lowered the bridge and now this cheapie plays like a real champ. Once the amount of adjustment required has been determined, the truss rod can be adjusted. Neck relief- "none". The form is a very important part of making a bent side mandolin even though it won't actually be used in the final instrument. The tools required to straighten a mandolin neck include a truss rod, a truss rod wrench, a straight edge, and a capo. This method was very reliable, accurate and took no time to set up. If the headstock is not aligned properly, it can cause the neck to bow; adjust the headstock as needed. Tighten the truss rod until the straight-edge is level along the neck. The back of the mandolin should be pressed against your stomach. Oops, looks like you forgot something. A Minor: This one has your biggest stretch so far, but as you're playing the mandolin, it's still not that far. A 1 1/8" nut width is standard, but many models can be made slightly wider. No theory is needed; just memorise a few easy shapes! Check this by tuning your open string, then fret at the 12th fret and see if the fretted octave is in tune. I filed a groove into the side to position the strings, making sure not to leave any sharp edges. This system is definitely a weak point in the form design, but I haven't come up with a better way to hold the head block in place. I chose to make a tempalte from the blueprint, as it would be easier to make a tempalte that allowed for the thickness of the bings that way. Theres one step left, checking string height at the nut, and it has an enormous impact on how the mandolin plays in the first position. A very small amount can make a big difference, and so only turn this rod about one-eighth of a turn at a time. The propane tank is supported by a loose clamp. If there are any bulges or gaps, the frets may need to be leveled or replaced. Step 1: Pickguard off This old mandolin was structurally sound, but it wasn't playable: a century of hot summers in an attic had fatigued and warped the neck, which had curved into a nasty up-bow. The arched top and back are ready for sanding and assembly, or you can tap-tune the fine European spruce top until it's just right. This will lower the action of the mandolin. Smooth out the surface of the ears with sandpaper. John Hamlett www.hamlettinstruments.com The following members say thank you to sunburst for this post: j. condino Jun-07-2013, 3:22am #4 Pete Jenner Resonate globally Join Date Oct 2011 Location It sounds best when it is finger-picked, which makes for a sweeter sound than when played with a pick. My last mandolin ended up emphasizing the fact that it is much narrower than most mandolins. If the neck angle is not correct, it can cause the neck to bow; adjust the neck angle as needed. Once the strings are removed, the truss rod can be adjusted. The neck consists of the following mandolin parts, described in more detail in the paragraphs below: Fingerboard Frets Fret markers Florida Fretboard This is because the strings may hinder the ability to properly adjust the truss rod and the bridge, which are necessary steps to straightening the neck. Put two staples in the back of the fingerboard-one between the first fret and the nut and the other between the last two frets. To secure the binding while the glue dried I used masking tape. Place a straight-edge along the length of the mandolin neck and check for any irregularities. It's called a banjolin. I sanded down the overhang on the sides using a spindle sander. It also made for simpler construction and a lighter instrument since there are half the number of tuners and half the number of tailpiece pins. Located in north-east Tennessee, you. The biggest improvement in the look of this mandolin comes form the addition of the various pieces of trim. If you have string buzz, raise it. The truss rod wrench is a specialized tool used to adjust the truss rod. Check the truss rod. A bowed neck can cause a variety of issues, including difficulty playing chords, buzzing strings, and poor tuning. 2. Additionally, the strings can buzz against the frets, resulting in an undesirable buzzing sound. Adjust the truss rod. To make the tuner holes, I first carefully centered the top paper template. I'd love to see it when you're done! I would also like to add a peg head inlay, likely of a simple symbol, my initials or maybe my last name.That's enough rambling from me: I'll let the pictures speak their thousands of words! I had to go thru the whole pile to find a quartersawn piece, but you only need one plank . cb00ne. This means that some of our posts contain affiliate links, so we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Attach the neck to the body. With a seam separation knife I coaxed the pickguard off the rusted support pins. Don has released over 20 albums and played on countless others. How to make a Dovetail neck joint by hand Tomy Hovington 22.6K subscribers Subscribe 91K views 5 years ago Octave Mandolin build Hand cut dovetail neck joint This is the latest part in the. How to Install a Mandolin Strap: A Step-by-Step Guide, How to Set Up Your Mandolin for Maximum Playability and Tone. No theory is needed; just memorise a few easy shapes! A ruler is used to measure the neck curvature, a truss rod allen wrench is used to loosen the truss rod nut, a truss rod adjustment tool allows for precise truss rod adjustments, a truss rod nut wrench is used to hold the truss rod nut in place, a strong light is needed to see clearly under the fingerboard, a straight edge is used to check the neck curvature and a set of feeler gauges is used to measure the amount of neck relief. Very good quality build, and finished product. 3. To avoid splintering of the wood when removing fretwire, you should always apply fret board oil to soften the wood a bit. To help me get even clamping pressure all the way around the top and back, I made more toy wheel, bolt and wing nut spool clamps for this glue up. I notched the two braces together in the x pattern then glued them onto the top with wood glue. Bill IM (NS)HO Feb-07-2013, 4:15pm #6 lenf12 Registered User Join Date Jul 2008 Posts The thinner neck is much more comfortable. Place the mandolin's body on top of your leg and hold the neck of the instrument with your left hand. Don has released over 20 albums and played on countless others. Troubleshooting a mandolin neck can be done by inspecting the truss rod, the neck joint, and the frets. Saga's A-model mandolin kit comes complete with everything you need to build a mandolin from scratch. The measured difference between the lightest and heaviest string sets seems small, but on a double course instrument with high string tension, it makes a big difference. I'd love to see it! If the bridge is not properly adjusted, it can cause the neck to bow; adjust the bridge as needed. If the rod is too tight, it may be the cause of the neck bowing; loosen it slightly. Gluing the JointI glued the two halves of the back together with wood glue using the rig pictured. One thing to remember, if your fretwork is bad, you need to have that addressed in order to get the best playability out of your instrument. They come in one of two main body styles: A- and F-style. 7 years ago I then notched and glued on the cross braces again using a board to keep everything flat while the glue dried. This can be done sitting or standing. This is one of the times when this method of holding these parts together is a bit awkward. In this video I start with a AAA Quilted Maple neck blank and go through all the step to get the neck ready to install on the Octave Mandolin. The second extension floating off the face but supporting the board isn't here yet, but this is the typical dovetail neck joint. The neck on this mandolin is wide, which makes it easy to play, especially if you are someone who has larger hands or fingers (fingerboard). One of the best ways to start playing the mandolin is by strumming chords. The only way to ensure a good result is to go slow, be patient and try not to push it too far. Inside is partially carved leaving enough wood for hand graduation/tap tuning. After you have selected your string gauge, neck relief will be the first thing to check. 7 - Bend top binding, fit and glue top binding. If the neck is bowed, it is likely that the truss rod is too tight and should be loosened. With a template glued onto the tail block, I was able to shape the tail block. Hold between 2/3. Tune the strings. At only 8.5 inches wide, it is much smaller than an f5 style mandolin which is about 10 inches wide. This saved a lot of trouble compared with my last mandolin when I forgot this step and had improvise a way to clean up the corners so the tail block would fit. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It would be better to keep the block in place and keep everything securely connected, but I had to remove it since it was in the way.Finishing the RimAt this point, I knocked the rim free of the mould and sanded the top and back surfaces flush with a belt sander while it was turned off. I used a rig that was quickly improvised using a piece of plywood screwed onto a miter gauge and then clamped directly to the mandolin's body. A mandolin is a stringed musical instrument in the lute family. All the old glue most be cleaned out, and any necessary wood repairs executed. Gluing on the NeckBesides the awkward way I had to clamp the neck to the head bloc, this step went very smoothly. BridgeI started by making a rosewood blank just large enough to fit the bridge. There's a little ivoroid strip between the latter two, so in a way, it's four pieces. Great idea! I check string height by measuring the distance between the top of the first fret and the bottom of the string using a feeler gauge. on Introduction. Step 3: Neck. 3. Leveling the FretsI leveled the frets with fine sand paper attached to a flat block of wood. I could have made the button much closer to the correct size as it was very difficlut to par down without hurting the rest of the neck once glued in place.Installing the Tail BindingThe tail end binding was glued with wood glue and held in place with masking tape to dry. you are a fantastic craftsman. I used a combination of two different bits to achieve the desired offset. Find deals on mandolins from top brands like Eastman, Washburn, Gibson, and more. 9 - Fretboard - create and bind. 5 easy Mandolin Setup steps - Introduction. Country Music Singer, Tayo Reed, grow up listening to Country Music as a child in sweet home, "Alabama". [2] Attach the strap to the mandolin's neck strap button. It is much better when played with a pick than my other mandolin, but it still doesn't sound as good as my Kentucky f5 style mandolin. I want to add binding to the peghead to match the trim on the body. Problem with positioning of the bridge. btw beautiful piece of work! He also teaches mandolin at music camps. In-between coats I knocked down the shine and lightly smoothed the finish with 0000 steel wool. The head is where you fasten the tuning . Being careful to not take off too much material, I cut off the excess from the button ends of the binding for a tight fit with the button.Tailpiece PinsUsing a paper template positioned with the binding as a guide, I drilled holes for the tailpiece pins. This was much easier with the center dowel system I used. hmm good call. I got my specs the same way I got my guitar specs- measured the mandolins of pros. Old A and A-1 mandolins can still be found under $2,000 if you look and Gibson has a new mandolin with that width and a radiused fretboard, the Jam Master A with a street price under $2K. The tools necessary to straighten a mandolin neck are a ruler, a truss rod allen wrench, a truss rod adjustment tool, a truss rod nut wrench, a strong light, a straight edge and a set of feeler gauges. Once you have your relief dialed in, you can move on to the adjustments at the bridge. He also teaches mandolin at music camps. 14 years ago I used a flat board to clamp the top and braces flat while they glued.Carving the BracesI used a thumb plane to do the majority of the carving of the braces. I have a mountain Dulcimer I need to finish I am a bit timid about bending the side and setting the neck. Don operates the online mandolin school Mandolins Heal The World (www.mandolinshealtheworld.com). At that point the wood becomes flexible and can bend surprisingly easily with gentle even pressure. 3. In order to translate written musical instructions and symbols into music that you can play on your mandolin, a basic understanding of chord diagrams, tablature (or 'tab'), and the fingering for a few common scales makes your life a lot easier. The form is now ready for use with the next mandolin I make with this pattern. The neck joint is where the neck meets the body of the mandolin. The truss rod is a metal bar located inside the neck of the mandolin that can be adjusted to straighten the neck. If the frets are not seated properly, it can cause the neck to be out of alignment. 1. 0767 Adjustable Archtop Mandolin Bridge . To bend the sides, I first get the section I want to work with wet. It is good to start thick and thin the bridge later if you want. I didn't get the joint between the side halves at the tail of the instrument as tight as I had wanted, but knew I would be covering that joint up with a piece of binding later.Trimming the SidesI used a low angle plane to carve the sides even with the mould and blocks. The simple neck to head block joint was made with a tenoning jig on the table saw.Form BlankI used an "inside" form design where the bent sides will be attached on the outside of the form using rubber bands. If the action feels too stiff, lower the bridge. I brought the fretboard right to the line on the template. Too much relief and the action can be high, yet buzzy, mid neck. I also carved the heel of the neck to the correct size and created a smooth transition between the neck and body. I had to glue on ears to make the full width of the peghead even though it wouldnt be too wasteful to use a solid piece. The ends of the lateral braces were carved down using a wood rasp.LabelI made up a custom label that matches the label that I glued in position under the bass side sound hole. A poorly setup mandolin is brutal to play, but one thats setup correctly is a joy. Don has released over 20 albums and played on countless others. Re: building a mandolin from scratch I found some suitable cedar at a place that sells fencing and decking materials. My 1916 Gibson A-1 has the standard "pre-Loar" 1 3/16" nut width and longer 14.1" scale on the short neck.