Filter
Top Products
-18-
H8067 Flat Iron Style Mandolin Kit
Tuning
Correct tuning is the most important aspect of
performance for a mandolin. If the mandolin is
not in tune with itself, or with other instruments in
an ensemble, the resulting music will not please
the ear. The standard mandolin tuning notes are
shown in Figure 33.
G
D
A
E
4
3
2
1
Figure 33. Standard tuning notes.
Important issues to consider when tuning a
mandolin:
• Get into the habit of tuning the mandolin
every time you play it.
• Always tune the strings “up.” The final tuned
tension of each string should be reached by
tightening the string, not by loosening it. If
the string is tensioned too far, release the
tension and tune
“up” again.
• The easiest way to tune a mandolin is using
an electronic tuner such as the Grizzly
H3097 Chromatic Tuner shown on
Page 19.
Figure 31. Correct 1st fret string heights.
1st Fret
1st String:
1
⁄64"
Mandolin
Body
Figure 32. Correct 12th fret string heights.
12th Fret
Mandolin
Body
To check the string height at the 12th fret:
1. Measure the string height at the 12th fret
(Figure 32). The first string measurement
should be
3
/32-
7
/64"; the 8th string should be
7
/64"-
9
/64".
— If the string height is correct, then continue
to the next sub-section.
— If the string height is incorrect at the 12th
fret, the bridge slots must be deeper or
shallower.
8th String:
1
⁄64"–
1
⁄32"
String Nut
1st String:
3
⁄32"-
7
⁄64"
8th String:
7
⁄64"–
9
⁄64"