Good day folks-recently was fortunate enough to add an Alpine as a playmate to my FF. The FF is dead solid, comes out of the case right on playable, in
comparison to the Alpine. It was supposedly 'setup" by the dealer from whom I purchased but the neck seems "tilted" to some degree, and the
bridge has been adjusted all the way up, resulting in the treble strings being higher and bass strings being almost down on the fret board. I switched the
factory strings over to Thomastiks, and did not notice this, but recently put on some elixir mediums to compare and is readily noticable with the medium
Elixirs versus mittle Thomastiks. So, question is, how to approach repair, strip it down, lower the bridge and proceed? Or ship off to someone for setup? If
so, any recommendations in New England/upstate NY area?
0 Kudo
Alpine Setup
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 New D28 |
Alpine Setup |
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Parlor
Posts: 6 May 6, 2009 08:32:46 |
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Lawn Jockey |
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Parlor
Posts: 65 May 6, 2009 09:25:18   |
Congrats on the new Alpine!!!
IMHO a well performed set-up on a mandolin is more critical than it is on an acoustic guitar. In order to get everything out of it from a tonal/volume standpoint....a good set-up is critical. This is evidenced on lower end mandolins that are not very good right off the shelf....but are made decent...or better just by having a knowledgeable luthier work their magic. The Alpine is obviously not a lower end instrument.....and should be an absolute cannon with the right set-up. You may be experienced enough to do this yourself. You do mention shipping it off....and being in upstate NY. How far away are you from Jamestown, NY? Jim Holler at Trinity Guitars is a master luthier as well as a dealer for several top brands of guitars and mandolins. He is also great to work with. I'd recommend him....if he's local enough for you. If I were shipping it off.....I'd have to pick Steve Perry at Gianna Violins in Tennessee. The man knows mandolins. Good luck.....and who knows....you may be able to do this yourself with a little time, patience, and experimentation. |
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New D28 |
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Parlor
Posts: 6 May 6, 2009 12:04:39 |
Lawn-appreciate the recommendations. I am on the other side of the state from Jim, but get out that way on business. Good options! And no, I am still too
much of a newbie to try this on my own. Only been playing for a little over a year and even changing strings makes me nervous!
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 MandoSquirrel |
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Gatekeeper Concert
Posts: 1807 May 6, 2009 16:25:42
Mandolin
moderator
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Raising & lowering the bridge is usually no big deal, but it sounds like something whacky's going on here, especially for a Master Class Alpine, so a
pro may be needed.
Welcome & congrats!
Mandolins;
Breedlove Cascade; Victoria, B&J New York ; Washburn 215 bowl back, cr.1906-07; Flatiron by Gibson pancake(currently untunable, after "repair"attempt ). Guitar: Guild D-25NT. |
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Fingerpicker |
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Slope Shoulder
Posts: 2762 May 6, 2009 17:10:08
Seventh String
moderator
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Whacky = No Good, I take it?
I really need to get a mando in the house so I can keep up with you guys. <grin> "You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." ~ C.S. Lewis |
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MandoSquirrel |
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Gatekeeper Concert
Posts: 1807 May 6, 2009 19:57:35
Mandolin
moderator
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The H may not belong, or be optional, but :
emPHasis here would be irrational or crazy. I think there may still be a mando or two in the SellBuyTrades; there's a Breedlove Rogue in Mandolin Cafe's classifieds, wish I could swing the $$$$'s. 
Mandolins;
Breedlove Cascade; Victoria, B&J New York ; Washburn 215 bowl back, cr.1906-07; Flatiron by Gibson pancake(currently untunable, after "repair"attempt ). Guitar: Guild D-25NT.
Last Edited By: MandoSquirrel May 6, 2009 19:59:48.
Edited 1 time.
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Fingerpicker |
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Slope Shoulder
Posts: 2762 May 7, 2009 14:17:26
Seventh String
moderator
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MandoSquirrel wrote: wish I could swing the $$$$'s.Hear ya, MS. There is lots of that going around right now. "You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me." ~ C.S. Lewis |
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