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How to Set a Neck on a Mandolin

Constructing a playable mandolin requires its pieces to be conjoined. If any of them are out of place the instrument won't sound right. This is especially true when there are problems with the neck. Resetting this area of a mandolin is a project even guitar technicians struggle with from time to time. It's a tedious process, but with a little guidance anyone can do it.

Things You'll Need

Drill
Drill bits
Paperclip or old guitar string
Steam hose
Old T-shirt
Screwdriver
Wood shims
Glue
Dry Cloth
Fret file

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a hole through the fret at the dovetail joint. Use a straightened paperclip or old guitar string to make sure you hit the pocket.
- 2
  Place old T-shirt or brown bag over glue joint. Use steam hose to loosen up the dried glue. The T-shirt or brown bag will act as an absorbent and pick up the glue. Clean any excess glue with a dry cloth if necessary.
- 3
  Use wood shim inserts to position the neck on the mandolin properly. If they are too high or too low the sound will be off. Glue inserts into the mortise and wipe off excess glue. Allow at least 30 minutes to an hour for drying
- 4
  Place the strings back on the mandolin. Check for vibrations with all strings. Use a fret file to reduce the overall size of the fret, which eliminates the vibrations. Re-crown any fret that has been filed. This must be done all the way up the fret board or until there are no more vibrations.
- 5
  Pick up the mandolin and place the bridge in front of your face. Look down the mandolin to see if the neck is straight. Go back over each step if there are any noticeable issues.

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