minorkey
C.O.G. 
On book 3 of the Guitarist's Way, thanks Keith
Posts: 3,691 
My main instrument is: a 20 year old Fender DG-5 Dreadnought named Tilly
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Post by minorkey on Jan 6, 2014 19:59:47 GMT
Now I've tuned my mandolin up with an app, so each unison is tuned precisely (I have a very good ear for tuning) but when I fret it goes out. Just listen to this soundclip, me playing a part of When I'm Dead and Gone by Mcguiness flint. An intonation issue!
[SOUNDCLOUD]https://soundcloud.com/cameraman59/when-im-dead[/SOUNDCLOUD]
The chords are GD and A. Now G doesnt sound too bad but A is awful!
I noticed when I fret it goes flat on some notes and sharp on others.
Also arent you supposed to be able to fret at the 7th fret and get the note of the next course down? Not so with this machine!
No doubt the bridge position is off. the action isnt too bad, I dont think it needs lowering. Just needs that bridge moving and maybe loweing.
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Jan 6, 2014 22:35:47 GMT
If the seventh fret doesn't match the next course, I think your bridge is out of whack.
Compare the twelfth fret harmonic with the twelfth fret fretted. If it's flat move the bridge further away from the tailpiece, if it's sharp move the bridge towards the tailpiece
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minorkey
C.O.G.
On book 3 of the Guitarist's Way, thanks Keith
Posts: 3,691
My main instrument is: a 20 year old Fender DG-5 Dreadnought named Tilly
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"72dd99"}
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Post by minorkey on Jan 7, 2014 0:03:23 GMT
If the seventh fret doesn't match the next course, I think your bridge is out of whack. Compare the twelfth fret harmonic with the twelfth fret fretted. If it's flat move the bridge further away from the tailpiece, if it's sharp move the bridge towards the tailpiece Thanks. I figured it was something like that. Ill give it a go when I get some free time. |
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rabc
Sore Fingers
Posts: 10
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Post by rabc on Feb 21, 2014 20:58:54 GMT
hi minor key, I started a mandolin player long time ago was me first instrument but I had a lot of intonation issues like youself and was constantly trying different gauges string and bridge positions and eventually gave up and started playing a short neck tenor then a standard tenor then a plectrum banjo tuned like a mandolin GDAE and the difference in the intonation was incredible every cord was soo sweet and in tune, my theory is that the shorter the instrument scale the more intonation problems you might get as the margin of error when moving the bridge is less with the shorter scale length so more difficult to get it right compared to a long scale instrument like a banjo especially plectrum banjo length, however, some things you can try in addition to mikes advice is sometimes you may end up with a slightly slanted bridge to get it right, also changing string gauges will effect inntonation and so bridge position slightly, also try using something like a peterson strobe tuner or something that gives u a read out in cents to tune the harmonic on the 12th fret to the fretted 12th note to get it really precise, good luck rab
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garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
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Post by garynava on Feb 23, 2014 17:48:28 GMT
A mandolin does need to be carefully set-up to get the intonation spot-on, moving the bridge should get you there. I fit a bone saddle which is then also shaped for finer adjustment.
Good luck Gary
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Post by curmudgeon on Mar 25, 2014 11:49:59 GMT
A good way (well, my way) is to decide whether the bridge needs to go forward or back and to use a very small hammer to gently tap it into that direction, whilst taking great care to keep saddle and foot level.
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Jo whoever he is.
