Talk me out of a...

[JohnW63]

Mandolin.

I fear I have watched too many Chris Thile videos. The folks at work gave us some one time pay for something or another, so it would feel like a gift to me. I was looking at the thread where Big Muddy Mandolins were mentioned. Not horribly pricey, considering what decent Mandos go for, but... I can't play like Chris and it could be as much of a waste as the free $200 Ukulele I got from a Hollywood guitar store.

 

[Opsimath]

Mandolin.

I fear I have watched too many Chris Thile videos. The folks at work gave us some one time pay for something or another, so it would feel like a gift to me. I was looking at the thread where Big Muddy Mandolins were mentioned. Not horribly pricey, considering what decent Mandos go for, but... I can't play like Chris and it could be as much of a waste as the free $200 Ukulele I got from a Hollywood guitar store.

Can you go (try to) play one and see what you think? Maybe at least hold one?

My mom got a free one with a violin she bought used, the guy just gave it to her. She gave it to me. It's very pretty but I'm still struggling with guitar. I tuned it up and strummed it. I'm not sure I care for the sound but I could have been doing something wrong. Seems the neck was pretty narrow, too. I'll have to dig it out and give it another look.

 

[Default]

Skinny, skinny necks. Fun to play though.

 

[JohnW63]

Big Muddy give you a "wide" version for their necks. A whopping 1-1/4" which is that magic 1/8" wider than normal. With all the people who just can't play 1-11/16th guitar necks, but feel the 1-3/4" is perfect, it should be fine. Right?

 

[Opsimath]

Big Muddy give you a "wide" version for their necks. A whopping 1-1/4" which is that magic 1/8" wider than normal. With all the people who just can't play 1-11/16th guitar necks, but feel the 1-3/4" is perfect, it should be fine. Right?

The logic is sound. I think. Maybe.

 

[JohnW63]

Or I just slap a capo on my guitar at the 7th fret and pretend.

 

[jp]

-- I had a mandolin and only learned a few things on it. It sat for years before I realized I didn't need it.
-- I had a sitar someone gave me, and I was defeated as soon as I realized I couldn't even sit with it the right way to play. Lol. I sold it to a friend who used it to try to pick up women. "Etchings, shmetchings! Wanna go up to my studio and see my sitar?"
-- I don't know how many times I considered becoming a banjo flailing master before I got wise. Fortunately, I never started down that path.
-- I'm currently trying to sell a baritone uke I thought I would learn to play old timey jazz tunes on.

Maybe there's a pedal you can buy to plug your guitar into? The Mandolinator?

 

[JohnW63]

Here is a cool mandolin

5 strings. Where do you get those!


Here is a video of a guy playing one like it. Pretty wild through a pedal board.

 

[Default]

I hear tiny guitar, not mandolin. You really need the double courses of strings, imho.

 

[dreadnut]

After years of playing the guitar, I took to the mandolin like a fish to water. I still only know a few chords that get me by, but mostly I play scales, melody and harmony. It seems to be laid out pretty logically for that, and it adds so much to a guitar or piano.

I play the mando along with my son on the guitar on "Goin' To California."

I bought this one from a local luthier 20+ years ago:

 

[chazmo]

I'd love to have a mando, John. No chance of me talking you out of it.

dread, that's a lovely instrument.

 

[davismanLV]

John, don't get a mandolin!! Don't do it!! It's a horrible idea!!

<there, how'd I do?>

 

[bobouz]

Can’t help you at all with this, because my advice would be:

BUY THE MANDOLIN !

Fwiw, USA-made Breedloves periodically come up for sale at reasonable prices. Mine pictured below is a 2010 American Series A model (not to be confused with their Chinese-made Crossover Series). With a 1-3/16” nut & fairly large frets, they’ve long been billed as friendly to transitioning guitarists. Mando to the right is a 1922 Gibson A (Loar-era!).

 

[JohnW63]

There was a Breedlove on Reverb, last night for $600. You have me thinking it may have been a Crossover listed was twice the price. Are there US and offshore versions?

 

[JohnW63]

Tom,

Why do the typed words look like you mean it, but when I read it , it doesn't feel like you do?

 

[bobouz]

There was a Breedlove on Reverb, last night for $600. You have me thinking it may have been a Crossover listed was twice the price. Are there US and offshore versions?

Yes John, you’ve got to be careful to assure it’s one of the Oregon-made mandos. All “Crossover” models are made in China, and unfortunately they look very similar to their USA-made counterparts. I think USA production ceased around 2015. Luckily, the labels are very clear as to where each instrument was made. The biggest difference is the use of all solid wood & carved tops on the USA models.

 

[JohnW63]

The thing slowing me down is that if I get a new Big Muddy mandolin, the one I like is $765, add $50 for a hard case, add $40 for the 1/8in wider neck, then they can install a K&K mandolin pickup for $130. That's $985 before tax. Not chump change! But way cheaper than a lot of the nice models I've seen on Reverb. The off shore Breedlove is $600 with a nice padded case. Also approaching my comfort limit on a guitar purchase, and I know how to play one of those. But, I'm sure if I buy a low end one, I won't like the sound or the playability and it will be a waste. Buy a good one and you only buy it once.

These are the thoughts bouncing around inside my head.

 

[bobouz]

Truly not trying to advocate towards anything, as there are many good instruments out there - Just providing reference info on Breedloves since I know a bit about them & they seem to be close to your price point.

Typically, the wood selection on USA-Breedloves is top notch. I’m including close-ups of mine to demonstrate - note in particular the very tight grained spruce on the carved top. I paid $750 for this one approx four years ago. This oval hole model is X-braced. They use a bolt-on neck, and the bolts are easily accessible on the oval-holed models if a neck angle change is ever desired. Board & bridge are ebony. Also, the fingerboard is not flat, but instead cut at a radius - which is another nod to transitioning guitar players.

A little more info to throw into the hopper - best of luck in the quest!

 

[shredmechanic]

I'm gonna' play devil's advocate: of course you don't need a mandolin! It's like guitar but smaller and too few strings! Look at that tiny neck! How could you have more with less?!

In fact, I would suggest the opposite route: bigger necks! More strings! More is more! This is what you need:

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/images/instruments/20170223/graf-10-main.jpg

 

[crank]

So I bought a super cheap mando. $50 from the Stupid Deal Of the Day. I have learned a whole bunch of chords and have been wrapping my head around playing licks and leads. Lots of fun! Sounds not terrible if a bit trebly and harsh, but making it sound nice is a challenge I like.

I have fat fingers and was worried about them thin little necks. No worries. The chords are mostly pretty easy to finger. I've learned majors, minors, working on 7ths.

My advice which you can take or leave. Buy a cheapie and if you learn how to play then get a good one.