Services
Mandolin & Ukulele Repair & Setup in Newport Beach
I love working on mandolins and ukuleles. They are smaller instruments, but the setup work is every bit as important as it is on a guitar. In some ways, it is even fussier. A mandolin bridge has to sit in exactly the right spot, and a ukulele can go sharp up the neck fast if the saddle and nut are not right.
I work on A-style and F-style mandolins, plus soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles. Whether you need cleaner intonation, lower action, a bridge fit, fret cleanup, or help with an opened seam or loose brace, I can walk you through it and get the instrument feeling right again.
Book an appointment or call or text (949) 533-0959 to tell me what your instrument is doing.
Services Offered
Mandolin Setup
Movable bridge positioning, string action, nut slot adjustment, and intonation, set correctly for octave and unison string pairs.
Bridge Work
Custom bridge fitting arched to match the top radius, saddle compensation, and adjustments for correct string break angle.
Structural
Brace repair, seam regluing, tailpiece adjustment and upgrades, headstock work: careful structural repairs that preserve resonance.
Ukulele Setup
Action and intonation set for soprano, concert, tenor, or baritone, nut slot work, fret check, saddle fitting for correct compensation.Why These Instruments Need A Careful Setup
Mandolin-Specific Considerations
- Movable bridge placement matters a lot for intonation
- Octave string pairs need clean nut slots and even response
- Tailpiece setup changes break angle and feel
- Seams and braces can open up before the problem looks dramatic
- Small setup changes make a big difference on a mandolin
Ukulele-Specific Considerations
- Scale length changes a lot from soprano to baritone
- Nylon and fluorocarbon strings respond differently than steel
- Saddle compensation has to match the string set and scale
- Nut slot depth changes intonation quickly on the first few frets
- Even a small structural issue can be easy to hear
Mandolin & Ukulele FAQ
Do you work on A-style and F-style mandolins?
Yes. I work on both, and I check bridge placement, action, intonation, and structural condition on either style.
Why is mandolin intonation harder to get right than guitar?
Because the bridge moves. If it is even a little off, the whole instrument can feel wrong up the neck.
Do you work on all sizes of ukulele?
Yes. I work on soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone ukuleles.
My ukulele is hard to play in tune up the neck. What's wrong?
Usually it comes down to saddle compensation, nut slot depth, or fret irregularities. I can sort out which one is causing it.