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Posted: 1/9/2024 8:12:04 PM EDT
Just curious to see if anyone else dabbles on a mandolin, besides guitar, bass, keyboards, etc...

This my A-body style 1977 Ibanez Mandolin (law-suit era) --- back when Ibanez got royally sued by Gibson over copyright infringement of the headstock shape.  I got way too many decades of memories with this old mandolin to part with it, trade it in for something new.

For those who never played a mandolin and/or are curious.... They are tuned exactly like a violin/fiddle.  G,D,A,E.  The obvious difference is double strings (in unison) and frets.  Some of the chords can be very tricky, as you really... really... need to scrunch your fingers tightly together, as a mandolin is teeny tiny compared to a guitar.  But they are awesome and add so much to a folk/rock song.  Hell, even Led Zeppelin used a mandolin on one or more songs.


Link Posted: 1/9/2024 8:42:59 PM EDT
[#1]
I've picked one up in music stores a few times.  They don't seem to like the size of my hands.  It isn't as if I am a mutant but I have hands on the large size.  Music teacher tells me I could figure it out but, well heck I got guitars to play and now learning bass so maybe in my 70s.  

I do love "Battle of Evermore".  Met Page and had a chat once and should have asked about mandolin but he was being tugged in lots of different directions so it didn't happen.
Link Posted: 1/9/2024 10:42:25 PM EDT
[#2]
I played mandolin in an Irish band for awhile.  I switched to guitar later when we needed a guitar player.  I never dedicated the time necessary to get good at it.  I still have an A style Fender, but haven't picked it up in years.  They are a lot of fun though.
Link Posted: 1/9/2024 10:48:44 PM EDT
[#3]
I’ve been playing a Kentucky mandolin for about 10 years, but not well. I can play some melodies and some rhythm chop chords and such. But I don’t spend enough time with it to actually develop any talent.
Link Posted: 1/9/2024 10:53:41 PM EDT
[#4]
Originally Posted By ButchA61:
Just curious to see if anyone else dabbles on a mandolin, besides guitar, bass, keyboards, etc...

This my A-body style 1977 Ibanez Mandolin (law-suit era) --- back when Ibanez got royally sued by Gibson over copyright infringement of the headstock shape.  I got way too many decades of memories with this old mandolin to part with it, trade it in for something new.

For those who never played a mandolin and/or are curious.... They are tuned exactly like a violin/fiddle.  G,D,A,E.  The obvious difference is double strings (in unison) and frets.  Some of the chords can be very tricky, as you really... really... need to scrunch your fingers tightly together, as a mandolin is teeny tiny compared to a guitar.  But they are awesome and add so much to a folk/rock song.  Hell, even Led Zeppelin used a mandolin on one or more songs.

https://i.imgur.com/q2aAlx3.jpg
View Quote
I play one. I have a Samick SM20e
Link Posted: 1/10/2024 12:54:03 AM EDT
[#5]
I bought a Rogue, strummed a few chords a time or 2, it's hanging on the wall behind my computer screen from paracord acting as a strap.  I think it's been hanging there 2+ years
Link Posted: 1/10/2024 1:14:26 AM EDT
[#6]
I always want to after listening to Chris Thile, but I can barely play guitar and should focus on that.
Link Posted: 1/10/2024 12:31:53 PM EDT
[#7]
I have one but don’t play it. Been in my family for years too.

Attachment Attached File
Link Posted: 1/10/2024 10:12:42 PM EDT
[#8]
@DM1975

That is a beautiful antique bowl-back mandolin!  Never, ever, under any circumstances, sell it!
Link Posted: 1/10/2024 10:33:55 PM EDT
[Last Edit: dtrosch] [#9]
Where are you in VA?  Ive got a banjolin (i think thats what it is) that I might be getting rid of and would like advice.  It was passed down from my great aunt to my dad to me.  Neither me or my dad (RIP) play.


Link Posted: 1/10/2024 11:00:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By dtrosch:
Where are you in VA?  Ive got a banjolin (i think thats what it is) that I might be getting rid of and would like advice.  It was passed down from my great aunt to my dad to me.  Neither me or my dad (RIP) play.
View Quote


I'm in the west end of Richmond (Henrico Co).  Banjolins are unique, as way back in the day, they decided to mate a mandolin neck and a banjo body, and it became a one-of-a-kind, type of sound.  I'd hang onto it, as it's value would be very sentimental.  Punch in "Banjolin" on eBay and check it out....  $100 bucks, $375 bucks, $499 bucks, $1600 bucks!
Link Posted: 1/11/2024 1:06:01 AM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By ButchA61:
@DM1975

That is a beautiful antique bowl-back mandolin!  Never, ever, under any circumstances, sell it!
View Quote


Oh no I wouldn’t dare!
Link Posted: 1/11/2024 7:34:46 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By ButchA61:


I'm in the west end of Richmond (Henrico Co).  Banjolins are unique, as way back in the day, they decided to mate a mandolin neck and a banjo body, and it became a one-of-a-kind, type of sound.  I'd hang onto it, as it's value would be very sentimental.  Punch in "Banjolin" on eBay and check it out....  $100 bucks, $375 bucks, $499 bucks, $1600 bucks!
View Quote
If I'm ever down your way I might give you a shout.  I'm near Front Royal.  I'd love to hear someone play it if it can still be tuned up.
Link Posted: 1/11/2024 8:01:48 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By dtrosch:
Where are you in VA?  Ive got a banjolin (i think thats what it is) that I might be getting rid of and would like advice.  It was passed down from my great aunt to my dad to me.  Neither me or my dad (RIP) play.


View Quote

I've often thought about getting a banjolin after hearing David Grisman play one on this track.  I learned this song on mandolin, but it's not quite the same.
Link Posted: 1/12/2024 9:00:58 AM EDT
[#14]
Play me some Flogging Molly!
Link Posted: 1/17/2024 9:30:16 AM EDT
[#15]
Link Posted: 1/22/2024 8:13:59 PM EDT
[#16]
I started building one 30 years ago but put it on the back burner when I started building guitars.  Need to get back to it.
Link Posted: 1/24/2024 8:18:36 PM EDT
[#17]
I played violin for 20 years, up until my neck fusion.  I tried picking up mandolin as a creative outlet, I just couldn’t get past the frets.  I did make some people laugh playing Beethoven’s violin concerto in D on one at Sweetwater
Link Posted: 2/17/2024 7:49:14 PM EDT
[#18]
Attachment Attached File


Picked up a very nice used Kentucky last year. Still in the tinkering stage but really love the sound.
Link Posted: 8/20/2024 6:27:43 PM EDT
[#19]
I picked up a The Loar 560 F-style back about 2014... It was my therapy after a stroke to try and recover my coordination. Despite growing up in North Carolina and East Tennessee I never really got into bluegrass... I was more a Nitty Gritty Dirt band and Sam Bush Newgrass type of guy.. kinda what they call Americana now. I got pretty good with Irish Jigs, Sea Shantys, and general solo music. I also Played flatpick guitar, and 5 string banjo. The smaller neck of the mando fit my hands nicely.

If you havent seen him, go check out Chris Thiele.. he does ANYTHING that can possible be played on a mando. his Mach, Mozart and other classical are simply awe inspiring.

Check out Mandolin Cafe... lots of good people and info over there.  Good luck and enjoy
Link Posted: 8/20/2024 11:53:51 PM EDT
[#20]
Wait... you don't tune to fifths? Not sure how I missed that the first time around.
Link Posted: 8/24/2024 6:16:35 AM EDT
[#21]
I don't play mandolin but started building a flattop version years ago.  Still need to bend the sides but have everything to finish it.  Currently looking at old Gibson mandolins on marketplace but they are spendy.
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