Mandolins are cool.

Bidley

Any other mandolin players here?

I've recently gotten into playing mando in a big way, even bought myself a nice Gretsch. Great fun and a nice diversion from failing at guitar

JookyChap

Which Gretsch did you buy...? I got rid of my old Gremlin one to force me to finish making a new one, but...those Gretsches look really nice.

Paul_C

I had a Crafter which I refretted up to the 12th fret with larger fretwire, because the thin stuff was hard work

sold it to a mate, but as he's not using it I may well buy it back

Lixarto

Had one for about ten years. Apart from the odd jig, all I ever did was play slide on it.

Sold it in a clear out.

not_the_dj

I had one for a while. Learnt a few chords and could jam along with Copperhead Road and Fisherman's Blues (pretty much the reason I bought one). But then it sat unplayed and eventually I sold it on :-(

JookyChap

not_the_dj said:

I had one for a while. Learnt a few chords and could jam along with Copperhead Road and Fisherman's Blues (pretty much the reason I bought one). But then it sat unplayed and eventually I sold it on :-(

I only got one to try and learn the man Wickham's fiddle parts - my highlight was learning Raggle Taggle Gypsy and Dance of the Hoppy Lads, must admit

ICBM

I've had several over the years but never got on with them - everything I played ended up sounding the same. Currently mando-less and not intending to change that... although you never know .

Oddly enough I really like ukeleles!

dindude

Damn, typical, I've just sold mine and they turn out to be cool. :x After an initial burst I never played it, and my wife and neighbours were fed up of hearing losing my religion and maggie may. I did suffer from beginners instrument syndrome also - it was cheap so wouldn't stay in tune and sounded crap, which makes you not want to play it

Bidley

JookyChap said:

Which Gretsch did you buy...? I got rid of my old Gremlin one to force me to finish making a new one, but...those Gretsches look really nice.

http://media.fmicdirect.com/gretsch/images/products/folk_instruments/2718030521_frt_wlg_001.jpg

The G9310, it is a really nice instrument. Probably a bit overpriced at ~£180 but it's got a nice, mellow sound (solid 'hog) and decent projection. The best thing I did was bin the scratchplate, which improved the tone tenfold.

I quite fancy making a mandocaster of sorts, but I wouldn't have a clue where to start.

maw4neu

Oh my God . . . I want . . . did I say want ?  ?  ? . . . Need a mandolin ! ! ! . . .

Will I be tempted into playing REM's Losing my Religion and Led Zep's Bron y whats is face  .. . though ???

Dead right . . sign me up ! ! !

musicegbdf

always fancies one of these

http://www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/01016653/details.html?kbid=1582&mkwid={ifsearch:s}{ifcontent:c}mqpHRKSh&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&utm_campaign=PLA+-+All+Products.

Actually this one only has 4 strings am sure I have seen an 8 string ...

vasselmeyer

I like this one which I spotted a couple of years ago.A resonator mandolin:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/45292621/resonator_mandolin.JPG

Lewy

Mandolins are indeed way cool. I've toyed with the idea of getting one but the mandolinist in my band is so good there's just no point in trying. Check him out on this instrumental:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE7HEmPPhm8

mart

musicegbdf said:

....

Actually this one only has 4 strings am sure I have seen an 8 string ...

Indeed, if you look closely at my avatar, you'll see an 8-string mandobird. The 4-string version seems more common, but that doesn't make much sense to me - surely a large part of the mando sound is the paired strings.

Shame I don't really have a clue how to play it beyond Losing my Religion and a few strummed chords.

I also have a Vintage acoustic mandola if anybody is looking for one.

Bidley

@Lewy you're a talented bunch! You sound like great fun live!

Basher

Here's my mandolin family collection:

Pomeroy A2 (Custom builder from Colorado):

Lebeda F5 (Czech Republic builder):

Oakwood Bouzouki (A bit nearer home - Leeds, by 'eck): 

Jalapeno

This discussion isn't helping my GAS

I love the look of the F-style Mandolins.

There's a s/h reso-mando in Wunjo on Denmark St if anyone is desperate

Jalapeno

Lewy said:

Mandolins are indeed way cool. I've toyed with the idea of getting one but the mandolinist in my band is so good there's just no point in trying. Check him out on this instrumental:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE7HEmPPhm8

Tighter than the Gnat's proverbial !  Awesome !!!!
B-)

OilCityPickups

I am mando-less at the moment, though I can play a bit. Used one for some recorded work before ... heavy on atmospherics ... light on talent still sounds good in the mix even if you are a bit of a duffer like me. it's a good use for spare halves of P bass pickups too ... great on mandos.

thermionic

I'm more of a charango man myself:

Basher

Lewy said:

Mandolins are indeed way cool. I've toyed with the idea of getting one but the mandolinist in my band is so good there's just no point in trying. Check him out on this instrumental:

Fantastic playing all round. His picking is phenomenal - it's unusual to hear something that fast sound so clean!