Skip to Content

Mandolin Care and Maintenance

Humidity and Temperature

As with any high-quality solid wood instrument, humidity and temperature are very important factors affecting the health and longevity of your mandolin. Humidity and temperature are easily monitored and regulated with the right tools - specifically, a thermometer and a hygrometer.

You can take an in-the-case approach to humidity control, or you can treat the entire room in which your instrument will be kept. Measure the relative humidity (RH) and temperature of your storage environment to determine if it is suitable. Measuring daily for a week or two will help you determine whether conditions are stable. The humidity in your home may change with the weather throughout the year. Your Weber instrument was built in a controlled environment with an RH of approximately 45% at a temperature of 70° Fahrenheit (F). An RH of between 40% and 50% at this same temperature will ensure a suitable environment for your Weber. Note that RH is temperature dependent. Air with 45% RH at 60° F does not have the same water content as air at 70° F with 45% RH.

If your storage environment is below 40% RH, invest in a humidifier with variable controls to establish proper RH. If the environment is above 50% RH, a variable-control dehumidifier will be needed to achieve optimal RH. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers are available at many hardware stores.

The transfer of water vapor between the wood of your mandolin and the atmosphere is a relatively slow process, and this works in your favor. When an instrument is kept in its case, the process is slowed even further. By keeping your instrument in suitable conditions most of the time, you can take it on short trips to places with less desirable RH conditions without causing problems. If you are taking a longer trip (more than several days) you will want to use some sort of in-case humidity control and measurement.

Before you take any steps to control humidity, you should be sure you can accurately measure the humidity conditions inside your room or instrument case.

You will probably notice the symptoms of an RH problem before it poses a serious threat. Some tell-tale signs of improper humidification are listed below. If your Weber shows symptoms of being over or under humidified, take the instrument to a qualified repair person immediately, or call us at (541) 640-2115.

Avoid exposing your instrument to extreme temperatures (such as a car trunk on a hot day, or when possible, the cargo hold of an airplane).

Over humidified symptoms – Higher action, sluggish tone, low volume.

Under humidified symptoms – Lowered action, fret buzzing, fret ends protruding.

Setup

To maintain the best tone, playability, and volume it is important to check your setup regularly.  As an instrument acclimates to a new environment it may be necessary to adjust the setup.

Setup Steps

Neck Relief
Intonation
Action
If you make any substantial adjustments start from the beginning and recheck your specs. Each part of the setup can affect another.

Neck Relief

The truss rod in your Weber instrument serves to counteract the effect of string tension on the neck of your instrument. String tension pulls the neck forward and up, while the truss rod pulls the neck down and back. A properly adjusted truss rod equalizes the tension on the neck. Adjustment of truss rod tension changes the amount of bow in the plane of the fingerboard. Let your instrument adjust to its new environment before changing truss rod tension.

The truss rod should only be adjusted to establish proper neck relief and to counteract/balance the effect of string tension. Do not use the truss rod adjustment to try to correct action, set up issues or other problems that are not related to neck relief. Use caution when making adjustments.

A properly adjusted truss rod results in a neck with a slight forward relief. To check for proper neck relief, push down on the low bass string at the 1st fret using a capo and the last fret. You can use a feeler gauge (available at auto parts or hardware stores) to measure the relief. There should be about 0.005” of space between the bottom of the string and the top of the 8th fret. You may want a larger or smaller amount of relief depending on your playing style.

Under full string tension, adjust the rod ¼ turn at a time, check the neck as you go.

To take relief out of your neck, tighten the truss rod with an 1/8" allen wrench. (turn CLOCKWISE)
To relieve back-bow in the neck, loosen the truss rod. (turn COUNTER CLOCK-WISE)

Note: We changed Mandolin truss rods from single action which use a 5/16” inch hex nut driver for truss rod adjustment, to double action truss rods which use the 1/8” allen wrench for adjustment (changed overall September 2006).  All larger body mandolin family instruments, Arch Top and Resonator Guitars have used double action truss rods for many years.

Intonation

Proper intonation will ensure the instrument plays in tune.

To move the bridge, loosen all the strings except the outside G and E strings and gently move the bridge.

When you change your strings make sure that the bridge is not leaning forward and is seated evenly on the top with no gaps on the front or back edge. Gently straighten the bridge if it is leaning forward.

Check to make sure there is even reveal from the outside G and E strings to the outside of the fretboard.

To check intonation, check the G and E tuning open strings then at the 12th fret. 

Dial in each side of the bridge to make sure both the G and E are properly intonated. This may take small adjustments and retesting the tuning to get it right.

If, while fretted at the 12th fret:
Plays flat:  move the bridge gently towards the nut. (When moving the bridge loosen the tension on the strings to the point where they just hold the bridge in place.)
Plays sharp:  move the bridge gently towards the tailpiece.

Action

Set the action by measuring from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the bass and treble strings.

Our shop specs 

Mandolin and Mandola are 1/16" on the Treble side and 5/64" on the Bass Side. 

Octave and Mandocello are 5/64"" on the Treble side and 3/32"" on the Bass Side. 

Use the supplied 5/16” bridge adjustment tool to raise and lower the action. Turning the thumbscrew clockwise will raise the saddle.

Changing Strings

We recommend that you change one course of strings at a time. This will keep the floating bridge in place and properly intonated. Cover the top of the instrument with a soft cloth before inserting the strings. Bend the end loop of the string up slightly before sliding it under the top of the tailpiece. This will help the string slide up the ramp easily.

Then, with a slight rotation of the string, seat the loop over the hook in one motion. Check to ensure that the loop is close to the bottom of the hook.

We recommend inserting the string from the bridge side of the tailpiece to avoid scratching the top of the instrument.

Fretboard and Bridge

The fretboard of your mandolin will need occasional conditioning. Wipe down the fingerboard and strings after every time you play. If the fingerboard becomes gummy, rub it lightly with a magic eraser, then apply mineral oil. Finally, wipe down the fingerboard with a dry cotton cloth. If the fingerboard appears dry or cracked, you should first take a humidity measurement to ensure the instrument is being stored under suitable conditions. If you find that the environment is too dry, establish proper humidity as needed, and then follow the steps above.

Once a year apply a light amount of mineral oil to the bridge and fretboard. Exercise caution to prevent any mineral oil from coming in contact with the finish.

Cleaning

Semi-gloss or Satin finishes are very durable and easy to take care of. Do not use waxes or polish - simply wipe the finish with a soft cotton cloth after playing to keep it looking clean.

Gloss finishes use a damp soft cotton cloth to clean the instrument or a small amount of hand glaze on a soft cotton cloth. Here at the shop, we’ve used 3m Imperial Hand Glaze and Wizards Mist N Shine 01214 for years.

We use a nitrocellulose finish, do not use any solvents to clean your instrument.

Tuners

Regularly inspect and secure the screws fastening the tuning buttons to ensure they remain snug. Avoid excessive tightening.