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VA, USA
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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.  |
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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 |
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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
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TX, USA
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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.
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Posted: 1/10/2024 12:31:53 PM EDT
[#7]
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VA, USA
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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! 
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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.
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VA, USA
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Posted: 1/10/2024 11:00:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally 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. 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! 
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Posted: 1/11/2024 1:06:01 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ButchA61: @DM1975 That is a beautiful antique bowl-back mandolin! Never, ever, under any circumstances, sell it! Oh no I wouldn’t dare! |
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Posted: 1/11/2024 7:34:46 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally 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! |
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Posted: 1/11/2024 8:01:48 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally 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. 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. |
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Posted: 1/12/2024 9:00:58 AM EDT
[#14]
Play me some Flogging Molly!
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Posted: 1/17/2024 9:30:16 AM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Ohiogators: 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. The Kentucky mandolins are a decent instrument, I picked up a KM-600 (F-style) around 15 years ago. Put in some time on it! |
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FL, USA
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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.
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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
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Posted: 2/17/2024 7:49:14 PM EDT
[#18]
 Attached FilePicked up a very nice used Kentucky last year. Still in the tinkering stage but really love the sound. |
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TX, USA
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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 |
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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.
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FL, USA
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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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