How to Route Loop End Strings on a Mandolin Tailpiece
Get the best sound from your mandolin by stringing it properly. The tailpiece, located below the bridge, is where the strings attach to your mandolin, so it's the starting point of each string's suspension all the way to its tuning peg. Whether you play your mandolin at home for fun or in front of thousands of fans, it's important to learn how to connect your tailpiece and strings properly.
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Things You'll Need
- Standard loop-end mandolin strings
- Towel or medium-size cloth pad
- Small straight blade screwdriver
- Small needlenose pliers with wirecutter.
- Small Crescent wrench
Instructions
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Attach the String Loops
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Lay the mandolin face up in the towel or pad.
Loosen and unwind the strings from the tuning pegs.
Use the straight-blade screwdriver to carefully pry off the tailpiece's removable cover plate, if your mandolin has one.
Remove the strings by sliding the looped ends off the the tabs on the tailpiece. Note the position of the bridge, so that if you move or jar it, you can place it properly when restringing the mandolin. -
2
Remove each string from its packet as you replace them, and using a sharpened pencil end as a guide, lay the loop end across the sloping pencil end and gently press the loop so it bends about 1/8 inch inside the loop, not on the wrapped portion on the string. This minimizes breakage.
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3
Use this attachment method for a conventional type of mandolin tailpiece:
Place the first high G string's loop on the appropriate hook or peg of the tailpiece, passing it under the fixed cover plate, if it has one, and maintain a light pull on the string with one hand to keep it from slipping off the tailpiece. Pass it over the bridge (place the bridge back in position it it has slipped).
Hold the string against the fingerboard and using your other hand, thread the string over the nut and through its tuning post.
Turn the tuning knob enough to lightly secure the string.
Repeat this procedure for the other strings. -
4
Use this attachment method for a Gibson F5 or A type of mandolin tailpiece:
Place the first high G string's loop on the bottom-most tailpiece horizontal hook and pass it through the bottom-most tailpiece vertical hook to lead it onto the bridge, and then over the fingerboard to the nut and its tuning post.
Hold the string against the fingerboard and using your other hand, thread the string over the nut and through its tuning post.
Turn the tuning knob enough to lightly secure the string.
Place each unwound string's loop on the next higher tailpiece horizontal hook, and through its respective tailpiece vertical hook to guide the string appropriately. Holding the string against the fingerboard with your other hand, thread the string over the nut and through its tuning post. Turn the tuning knob enough to lightly secure each string. -
5
Finish by passing the end of each string around and under the straight section near the tuning post, bring it up and over, bend it and clip off the excess
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Tips & Warnings
Use the crescent wrench to carefully bend the sides of the tailpiece for a better grip if its removable cover is loose or rattling.
Clean your mandolin body, fingerboard and peghead with a quality instrument cleaner/polish when you have the strings out of your way.
Wipe your mandolin strings after each playing with a soft cloth sprayed with instrument polish to prolong their life.
Always keep your face away from the fingerboard when tuning any stringed instrument to avoid eye injury if a string breaks.
