Preparation: Lay your mandolin on a smooth, flat surface so it is safe and secure.

Step 1  Study the string slots on the bridge, and be aware that the thicker strings will go into the wider slots. Generously loosen the strings so that the bridge can sit upright underneath the strings without any string tension. Lift the loosened strings and care-fully place the bridge underneath the strings.

Step 2  Center the bridge between the notch-es of each F-hole. If the mandolin has an oval shaped soundhole, place the bridge behind the soundhole, centered to the body.

Step 3  Tune up the low G string to pitch, making sure it is resting in the ap-propriate groove in the nut and the bridge. Play the G string open and fret it at the 12th fret. If the two notes are the same then the bridge is in the correct position. If the fretted note is flat, move the entire bridge (not just one side) slightly forward. If the note is flat, move it slightly back.

Step 4  Once the open G and the fretted G are in tune, repeat the same step with the high E string. Adjust the bridge accordingly.

Step 5  Once the G and the E are intonated, tune up the rest of the strings to pitch and you’re ready to play!

Adjust the thumbscrews on the bridge to your preferred string action. The mandolin is most commonly tuned in perfect fifths with ‘G’ as the lowest note and ‘E’as the highest. EADG