Mandolin

Ordered a veggie chopper/mandolin slicer because my hands are, for all intents and purposes, absolutely worthless to any human being -- after over an hour of searching, I am growing extremely frustrated with every post reading something like "just use the claw technique and a knife!", because my hands are unable to form a "claw" (they can bend all the way back or all the way forward, but forming a tight grip around a small object when you have Ehler Danlos is how Webster defines "awkward" in the dictionary).

Every pair of gloves I look up has a coinciding picture of some poor sap bleeding with the caption "was using my mandolin slicer when...", and as somebody that not only struggles with gripping things, but also spatial awareness (ie., "I only sometimes walk into doorframes instead of through the gaping hole in the wall", ie., "it's hard to tell where my hand ends and the mandolin blade begins" (spoiler, it's probably the same pla - ***oh my God!***), ie., "why the hell am I allowed

Any electric mandolinists here?

What Mando do you play and what style of music? I play a lime green mandocaster in a psych folk experimental band.

Are there any pedals that you think work really well for a heavier sound?

I’ve recently been listening to mandolin during the quarantine I’m contemplating on buying a mandolin and learning to play it. I’ve never played any musical instrument before but I come from a family of professional vocal musicians and have taken vocal lessons before.

1. How steep is the learning curve?
2. Is mandolin the best option for someone starting with stringed musical instruments?
3. Are online lessons good enough or should I find an instructor?

My husband loves mandolin and is just beginning to play. He currently uses an old one he inherited. I’m looking to get one for him as a gift. I’d love a ~200 price. Nothing too cheap, but not too fancy. Any brand recommendations? I’ve googled but haven’t learned too much! Thank you!

Hey all, looking to see if anyone knows a good site for cookware that’s decently priced? Or just a well priced mandolin specifically, of course. Thanks!

Any advice how to not make this happen again?

The carrot did not stick to the thing i have to push it over the mandolin, so i very carefully pushed it myself, autsj.

Interested in finding more Mandolin based folk music! Any recommendations would be great! My favourite folk musicians are the likes of Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, Jackson C. Frank, John Fahey, Nick Drake, Simon & Garfunkel, etc.

Thanks guys :)

Hi!

I play mandolin and I'm looking to play the octave, but I'd like to get an electric. I can't really seem to find options online, though. Does anyone know if there's a site or place I might be able to pick one up? Additionally, I play left-handed, which makes it even more unlikely.

My other options are to pick up the mandola, although that means learning alto clef and rewiring my brain to remember that certain mandolin chord positions are now other chords, or mandocello (I already know bass clef, but mandocello is pretty low and I don't know how practical it would be? But that's also a contending option).

What would you advise? Should I search for an octave mandolin or is it rewarding to play mandocello? Hope this is an ok place for this :)

I have become a total mandolin fanatic over quarantine, and after 15+ years of playing guitar, I want to expand and learn mandolin. I've been playing my friends which is an older Fender FM100 A style, and I really enjoy playing that. but it is time to get my own. I'm looking for recommendations on a great starter mandolin. I am really drawn to the F-Style mandolins and am looking to spend under $350. What are the most important qualities, wood, materials, fretboard, body, feel, etc? Thanks!!!

I'm looking at buying a mandolin. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars, but I also don't want something really cheap that won't hold a tune. Maybe less than $100.

What are some things I should look for? Brands? Features? Cutouts? My current lineup includes guitar, bass, ukulele, lyre. Anything to help me get going?

I found several on Craigslist. Or should I stick to a music shop? Most local shops here only have 1 mandolin at a time, and it's usually $400+

Preface:

I play trumpet for a living. I mostly do major theme park shows, pop, rock, funk, reggae, R&B, and soul gigs, with the occasional orchestra program here and there. I have a Bachelors degree in music, and have played trumpet for 25 years. Theory isn't a problem at all, and I know a decent amount of bluegrass and celtic tunes (yes, you can play them on trumpet, but it's sometimes like playing Happy Birthday on bagpipes - it just sounds hilarious); but my only experience with string instruments has been playing Wonderwall on guitar so I can make fun of people who play Wonderwall on guitar, and miming violin for a Telemundo TV taping a few years ago. Long story on that last one. Reading music isn't a problem at all, but I've never had to read tabs before.

Meat & Potatoes:

I recently bought a mandolin, with the intention of learning to play it. I'm walking into this with the understanding that I basically have no idea what the hell I'm doing. So far, I kno

I’m looking at a few. Mainly an Eastman MD 304, a Washburn A43 and a Epiphone MM40L.

Give me some of your wisdom please!

Edit: typo on the title which I can’t correct. Sorry for using mobile. Looking for the BEST

A buddy of mine gave me this mandolin in return for a favor.

It seems like it’s in mostly good shape, just a little worse for wear. I’m not a luthier, but I did used to build Cigar Box Guitars, so I figured I’ll try fixing it up.

It has one long thin crack from the bridge to the tailpiece, and the tuners are hard to turn properly.

I figure the reason it cracked was likely drying out, so I’ll need to re-humidify it and seep some glue into the split to seal it. I’ll also want to oil it up at this point in time.

The tuners I think I’ll try to oil, but they might need to be replaced. I’m new to mandolin, so if anyone has any recommendations I’d appreciate it. Are mandolin tuners generally interchangeable?

Lastly I’ll need to slap some new strings on there, if anyone has any recommendations I’d appreciate that too.

Or if anyone has any insights on other things I should look into while I’m at it.

Mandolin says “ETNA” inside the sound hole. “Made in Italy”

[Here’s a couple pictur