Official Luthiers Forum!

Can someone give me the proper bridge height for a carved top mandolin? I'm doing a neck reset on an old Kay (more for practice than anything) and I'm having trouble finding that measurement. I've looked in a few of my Mandolin books but I still can't find it.

Thanks

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Josh,
Jump over to the Mandolin Cafe. There is a very active community there and they will give you an answer faster than you can sing out "ole' Suzanna".

Shane

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Canada

Typical bridge height for an A or F model is 11/16" to 13/16" with 3/4 being the target height. It really depends on the neck angle of the instrument, height of the frets, height of the riser block, and arch of the top. You are basically looking for a 12th fret action of 5/64" on the GG strings and 1/16" on the EE's with about 1/16" adjustment downward if you are using an adjustable bridge.
Neck angle on an archtop is usually around 5-6 degrees. If it is indeed a carved top, doesn't look too skimpy, a try to go with 5 degrees. If it is a pressed top, you might go a little lower to lighten the load on the top. Check the tone bars to see if they look substantial.

Shane, I should have thought of the Mando Cafe!

And Haans Thanks for the info. It is what I was looking for and a big help.

Josh

_________________
Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com