resonator mandolin-neck adj

Subject: RE: resonator mandolin-neck adj
From: Melissa
Date: 01 Nov 08 - 05:07 PM

Thanks, Dave..I'll look at that!

Subject: RE: resonator mandolin-neck adj
From: Darowyn
Date: 01 Nov 08 - 04:51 AM

The round black thing is called a biscuit. It spreads the load of the bridge evenly across the centre of the resonator cone. As the bridge vibrates, energised by the strings, the cone moves in and out like the cone of a speaker.
Setting up reso intruments is a pretty specialised craft, whilst I'm certain that the biscuit itself is not likely to be adjustable. If your mandolin is a metal bodied one, and most of the ones I've seen are, there is a joint between the wooden neck and the metal body, which probably needs resetting. This is an even more specialised job, involving the complete removal of the resonator assembly.Once inside, the neck joint could be a simple bolt-on job, like a banjo.
I'd recommend that you search for information on sites that specialise in resonator and slide guitars= which are built the same way.
This one for example :-Reso Guitar hangout
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: resonator mandolin-neck adj
From: Melissa
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 05:14 PM

Thanks, Tim
the bridge is sitting on a round black thing down in a hole..and I don't see anything that looks like a bridge adjuster.
A luthier is out of my price range and I really just want the strings lowered enough that I can fret them--it's not worth a professional set-up to me.

Is it possible that the round black thing is on a turning shaft for adjusting?

Subject: RE: resonator mandolin-neck adj
From: mandotim
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 04:57 PM

Hi; by 'neck adjustment nut' I'm guessing you mean the truss rod adjustment that you find on guitars. Because of the short neck, many mandolins don't have a truss rod, and in any case, it shouldn't really be the first port of call when looking to lower the action. The truss rod alters 'neck relief', rather than just the action.
On resonator mandolins there is usually either a single screw or a pair of screws close to, or on the bridge, and this can be used to lower the bridge height. Lower it until it buzzes, then raise it a bit. If the action is still too high, especially on the lower frets, then the nut needs some attention. I would take the instrument to a decent luthier for a setup at this stage, as cutting and adjusting a nut is tricky and really needs the proper tools to get decent results. Hope this helps.
Tim

Subject: resonator mandolin-neck adj
From: Melissa
Date: 31 Oct 08 - 12:24 PM

I recently acquired a Johnson resonator mandolin which has turned out to be a meateater. I can't figure out where to find the neck adjustment nut and sure would like some help knowing how to lower the strings a little bit.

Does anyone know how to do this?

Thanks,
M