I bought a Moon mandolin last August and have played it regularly since. The E and A strings have started producing a tinny sound and there's also a bit of a buzz. Does this mean the strings are worn and in need of replacement?
I've never changed strings myself and don't fancy doing it. Would it be possible to bring the instrument to a music shop and get them to replace the strings?
amhran,
I think any decent music shop would be happy to replace your strings and adjust your instrument to address the cause of the buzz.
If the strings have been on the mandolin for a year, you may also be so pleased with the new strings that you have them replaced every few months or even monthly if you play your mandolin every day.
Abuteague
Even jobs like just changing the strings (properly) on your mandolin need a degree of knowledge. You've certainly had your money's worth from your first set.
The buzz could well be from the strings hitting the frets or from a poorly dressed bridge or nut. Diagnosis and remedying any of these causes require a fair degree of experience, skill and knowledge.
Not all "music shops" have these attributes - but it's hard to tell a decent one from an indecent one.
Talk to others in your area who have had work done on their fretted instruments - get recommendations - before considering letting anyone loose on your mandolin.
Changing a set of strings shouldn't be a problem if you do it yourself . . i've never sent mine to a shop for a string change . . . its not a difficult job once you've done it a few times.
Regards the string buzzing, if your mandolin has an adjustable bridge, then lift the bridge further away from the sound board so that the string action is a fraction higher . . and that may cure the problem. It shouldn't affect the playability that much.
You might want to take the mandolin to a good repairman in Dublin. Let them check it out , do any set up adjustments that may be needed, and let them show you how to change the strings.
Assuming this is not a wind-up (no pun intended):
A regularly played mandolin with "normal" (i.e not Thomastik or Elixir) strings would need changing every 4-6 weeks or so, so you've done pretty well to last a year.
It's something you should learn to do yourself really, but I'm sure a music shop would welcome the easy €€€.
Most people who play regularly change strings on a fretted instrument after no more than two or three months. Cheap strings (which are no bargain, IMO) may last only a few weeks.
A buzz means either a string is coming apart or you need some kind of adjustment or repair. Call all of the instrument shops within your range and ask if they have someone who does setups on mandolins. It should be checked out by an experienced person.
You really should learn to change your own strings and to recognize a problem that needs attention. Consider it paying your dues.
Thanks to everybody for the advice. I tend to let things go a bit, so a year for a set of strings is pretty good! The buzz only happens when I play a high f, so it might be due to a worn string. The instrument has played beautifully since I got it.
I reallly should change them myself but I'll get it done elsewhere this time and maybe learn how it's done. I'd be terrified of damaging the mandolin.
Don't think I'll take up your kind offer this time oldstrings - sending it to Canada would be a bit too far, even for five Euro.
One hint: when you do change your own strings, don't take off all of the strings at once. This will casue the bridge to move (only string tension holds it down) and you may have difficulty getting it back in the right place. If you change one course at a time (i.e, take off the old G's, put on the new ones; take off the old A's, put on the new ones; etc.), you'll always have tension on the bridge and it won't be as likely to shift around.
I would say, only change one at a time to keep the general tension on the instrument as constant as possible.
My particular tip; as you thread the new string through the machine capstan, thread finger and thumb through the string over the fingerboard, and twist your hand to make a slight bend in the string, perhaps an inch and a half over the fingerboard, maintaining a light tension on the string. As you turn the machine to rotate the capstan ( remember to turn it the correct way ), ensure that the first turn of the string goes above the free end of the string protuding through the capstan, then lead it UNDER the end of the string for further turns. As you tighten the string your fingers tensioning the string over the fingerboard will gradually have to straighten, then be removed before they are amputated ! If you do this correctly you will have a neat coil of wire around the capstan, which ensures a tight and positive action when tuning, with no slippage. Opinions are divided as to whether you should clip the free end of the string off near the capstan, or coil it into a neat ring. I favour the coil personally, it leaves you with a spare length of string should some disaster arise like no spare strings and one that breaks over the bridge - I have played on the odd occasion with a knot in the string at various places, and got away with it !
PS It's only the pros who get instrument technicians to do it for them, it's a useful skill to learn how to do it for yourself. The only harm you could do the instrument is by over-tightening; if you only change one at a time you can tune to it's pair before going on.
New mandolin strings?
New mandolin strings?
I bought a Moon mandolin last August and have played it regularly since. The E and A strings have started producing a tinny sound and there's also a bit of a buzz. Does this mean the strings are worn and in need of replacement?
I've never changed strings myself and don't fancy doing it. Would it be possible to bring the instrument to a music shop and get them to replace the strings?
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by amhrán
Re: New mandolin strings?
amhran,
I think any decent music shop would be happy to replace your strings and adjust your instrument to address the cause of the buzz.
If the strings have been on the mandolin for a year, you may also be so pleased with the new strings that you have them replaced every few months or even monthly if you play your mandolin every day.
Abuteague
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by abuteague
Re: New mandolin strings?
Ahmran
Even jobs like just changing the strings (properly) on your mandolin need a degree of knowledge. You've certainly had your money's worth from your first set.
The buzz could well be from the strings hitting the frets or from a poorly dressed bridge or nut. Diagnosis and remedying any of these causes require a fair degree of experience, skill and knowledge.
Not all "music shops" have these attributes - but it's hard to tell a decent one from an indecent one.
Talk to others in your area who have had work done on their fretted instruments - get recommendations - before considering letting anyone loose on your mandolin.
Good luck
MYBC
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by millionyears_bc
Re: New mandolin strings?
Changing a set of strings shouldn't be a problem if you do it yourself . . i've never sent mine to a shop for a string change . . . its not a difficult job once you've done it a few times.
Regards the string buzzing, if your mandolin has an adjustable bridge, then lift the bridge further away from the sound board so that the string action is a fraction higher . . and that may cure the problem. It shouldn't affect the playability that much.
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by Justintime
Re: New mandolin strings?
You might want to take the mandolin to a good repairman in Dublin. Let them check it out , do any set up adjustments that may be needed, and let them show you how to change the strings.
# Posted on August 3rd 2006 by griffith
Re: New mandolin strings?
Assuming this is not a wind-up (no pun intended):
A regularly played mandolin with "normal" (i.e not Thomastik or Elixir) strings would need changing every 4-6 weeks or so, so you've done pretty well to last a year.
It's something you should learn to do yourself really, but I'm sure a music shop would welcome the easy €€€.
Try it, it'll be like having a new instrument.
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by Bren
Re: New mandolin strings?
Most people who play regularly change strings on a fretted instrument after no more than two or three months. Cheap strings (which are no bargain, IMO) may last only a few weeks.
A buzz means either a string is coming apart or you need some kind of adjustment or repair. Call all of the instrument shops within your range and ask if they have someone who does setups on mandolins. It should be checked out by an experienced person.
You really should learn to change your own strings and to recognize a problem that needs attention. Consider it paying your dues.
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by Bob himself
Re: New mandolin strings?
Send me your mandolin and five euros. I will install new strings and return the mandolin......
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: New mandolin strings?
Thanks to everybody for the advice. I tend to let things go a bit, so a year for a set of strings is pretty good! The buzz only happens when I play a high f, so it might be due to a worn string. The instrument has played beautifully since I got it.
I reallly should change them myself but I'll get it done elsewhere this time and maybe learn how it's done. I'd be terrified of damaging the mandolin.
Don't think I'll take up your kind offer this time oldstrings - sending it to Canada would be a bit too far, even for five Euro.
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by amhrán
Re: New mandolin strings?
One hint: when you do change your own strings, don't take off all of the strings at once. This will casue the bridge to move (only string tension holds it down) and you may have difficulty getting it back in the right place. If you change one course at a time (i.e, take off the old G's, put on the new ones; take off the old A's, put on the new ones; etc.), you'll always have tension on the bridge and it won't be as likely to shift around.
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by devellis
Re: New mandolin strings?
I would say, only change one at a time to keep the general tension on the instrument as constant as possible.
My particular tip; as you thread the new string through the machine capstan, thread finger and thumb through the string over the fingerboard, and twist your hand to make a slight bend in the string, perhaps an inch and a half over the fingerboard, maintaining a light tension on the string. As you turn the machine to rotate the capstan ( remember to turn it the correct way ), ensure that the first turn of the string goes above the free end of the string protuding through the capstan, then lead it UNDER the end of the string for further turns. As you tighten the string your fingers tensioning the string over the fingerboard will gradually have to straighten, then be removed before they are amputated ! If you do this correctly you will have a neat coil of wire around the capstan, which ensures a tight and positive action when tuning, with no slippage. Opinions are divided as to whether you should clip the free end of the string off near the capstan, or coil it into a neat ring. I favour the coil personally, it leaves you with a spare length of string should some disaster arise like no spare strings and one that breaks over the bridge - I have played on the odd occasion with a knot in the string at various places, and got away with it !
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: New mandolin strings?
PS It's only the pros who get instrument technicians to do it for them, it's a useful skill to learn how to do it for yourself. The only harm you could do the instrument is by over-tightening; if you only change one at a time you can tune to it's pair before going on.
# Posted on August 4th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: New mandolin strings?
Check out FRETS.COM. They have a step by step guide to change strings with photos and helpful hints.
# Posted on August 5th 2006 by mandodork