Like a banjo, a mandolin's bridge is usually held in place only by the pressure of the strings. Taking every string off at once lets it move, which throws off intonation. Working one string or one course at a time keeps everything where it belongs.
Steps:
- Remove the tailpiece cover, if your mandolin has one.
- Detune one string and remove it.
- Hook the new loop end over the matching tailpiece hook, keeping a light pull on the string so it stays seated.
- Guide the string over its bridge slot and through the nut.
- Wind it at the tuner, leaving enough slack for a few neat wraps, and tune close to pitch.
- Repeat for all eight strings. Each pair is tuned in unison: G D A E from low to high.
- Stretch and retune, then check that the bridge is still straight and in place.
Our mandolin sets are 92/8 phosphor bronze on the wound strings. The plain strings have a loop end lock twist, which holds the loop closed so it doesn't open up and slip on the tailpiece hook. Choose M1036PB (.010–.036 Light) or M1140PB (.011–.040 Medium).