How to Attach a Mandolin Bridge

New mandolin bridges attach easily.

Mandolin bridges control the intonation, action and volume of the instrument, and they make a significant impact on a player's sound. Today's wide selection of bridges allows every player, with only a little work and care, to install a new bridge and achieve that custom sound.

Things You'll Need

• Mandolin bridge

Instructions

1. Place the mandolin on a flat surface.

2. Lower any bridge thumbscrews to their lowest position.

3. Loosen the strings.

4. Slide the bridge under the strings without touching the finish. It's easier if you hold the bridge at an angle, rather than upright. The widest slots of the bridge go under the thickest strings, while the narrowest slots go under the thinnest strings.

5. Position the bridge with both hands without touching the finish. For f-hole mandolins, the bridge goes between the diamond notches of the f-holes. For oval-hole mandolins, place the bridge in the relative center of the mandolin body.

6. Lift the strings with one hand while still holding the bridge in place with the other.

7. Rotate the bridge to the upright position.

8. Rest the bridge on the finish.

9. Slide each string into its corresponding bridge slot.

10. Tighten the strings to hold the bridge in place.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the intonation of the strings by slightly moving the bridge forward or backward.

References

• Folk of the Wood: Installing Your Mandolin Bridge