The following is from Phoenix's care and maintenance instructions:

Phoenix Care & Feeding of Your Mandolin

Your Phoenix mandolin is a hand-crafted precision instrument made of the finest materials with the greatest care. With reasonable care on your part, it should last for centuries with nothing more than the replacement of worn frets. If a structural or construction defect is found, and the original owner has registered the mandolin, the builder will repair it without cost to the original owner at the Phoenix shop. But the
maintenance of the instrument is the owner's responsibility; please read the following maintenance instructions.

SET UP: If your Phoenix Mandolin was Purchased at Folk of the Wood, the following set-up info is not necessary: If the mandolin was shipped to you directly from Phoenix Mandolin, you will find the strings loosened, and the bridge in the case compartment. To install the bridge, unwrap the tape holding the bridge together, keeping the two pieces together, and look on the bottom of the bridge for an arrow; that arrow should point toward the fingerboard.

Then note the strips of tape marking the placement of the front and sides of the bridge; make sure the bridge just touches that tape. Put some tension on the strings, then remove the pieces of tape from the mandolin top. As you bring the strings to pitch, pull the top of the bridge—lightly at first then more firmly—toward the tailpiece bringing the bridge back to perpendicular to the top; tightening the strings tends to tilt the bridge toward the fingerboard. You will have to do this more than once. Remember this whenever you change strings or retime.

THE INSTRUMENT IN GENERAL needs the kind of care that all wooden musical instruments need: avoidance of extremes of temperature or humidity or rapid changes of temperature or humidity. That can cause cracking and other damage. The instrument is built with well-dried wood, but if the humidity of your area averages less than 40% or if you travel extensively with the instrument, you will want to purchase a violin humidifier or a case humidifier and keep that in use with the instrument generally in two-day cycles: two days in the case, two days without. Shock is also a problem for an acoustical stringed instrument even in this kind of custom-fitted case; handle carefully. For best protection, keep the mandolin in the case when not being played. The mandolin fits best into the case headstock end first. For lengthy storage or rough travel, loosen the strings several turns.

The finish is the finest waterborne finish. It is very durable but should be protected with a natural wax, such as Martin Guitar polish. Also, the permanent softening agents in some vinyls, plastics, hand lotions, and especially bug sprays with DEET can disturb this kind of finish, so keep these things away from the instrument. If there is a small scratch or mark, it is better left alone since this is a thin finish on the resonant surfaces; some marks may sometimes be rubbed out with a very fine polishing compound (not a rubbing compound—that's too coarse), but there is a danger of rubbing entirely through the finish. Dust the mandolin regularly with a soft old-time shaving brush and polish it with a soft rag.

The tuning machines should be trouble-free. The screw on the gears and the screw holding the buttons on may sometimes need tightening if the tension seems too loose, do so very carefully with an exact-fitting screwdriver, and do not over-tighten the screw as that will make tuning difficult.

STRINGS, as delivered, are: Ultra and Neoclassical
Deluxe 1st-.Ol I"; 2nd-.015”; 3rd-.024”; 4th-.038";
Bluegrass Ist-.Ol I”; 2nd-.015"; 3rd-.026”; 4th-.040”;
Neoclassicals are delivered with Savarez strings (available from
juststrings.com) or Dr. Thomastik mediums (available from Elderly Music, 517-372-7890).

String sizes may be slightly increased by .001” or .002” for more “punch”.
Lighter strings than those provided are, of course, no problem, but may need the bridge height raised to avoid buzzes. There is no truss rod to adjust; a graphite bar from the headstock to the 20th fret stabilizes the neck and fingerboard. If it is necessary to remove all the strings, be certain to carefully mark the placement of the bridge with masking tape. Otherwise, if the bridge is moved, it may require a precision tuning device (or a great ear) to return it to its correct place. The bridge is individually fitted to each top so the arrow on the bottom of the bridge must point toward the fingerboard. The tailpiece cover slides off away from the mandolin on the Bluegrass model.

IF THE MANDOLIN IS DAMAGED immediately remove the tension from the strings and call, write or e-mail for instructions for repair. (e-mail address is below)

A solid ebony finger-rest can be retrofitted for $130. Call or write for information.

Phoenix Mandolins 159 St George Road Road South Thomaston, ME 04858-3023 USA
207-354-0397 e-mail: pxmandolin@aol.com
http://www.phoenixmandolins.com/