Any Mandolin Player out there? Advice for begginer!

[Jonp91486]

Looking for advice on where to start with learning the mandolin. Any particular one I should look at buying to start with? I would like to learn to play the likes of Yonder mountain string band, String cheese, OCMS, and so on and so forth.

Just looking for a jumping off point.

Jon

 

[killdeer43]

For the lack of a better starting point, cruise around youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eyn4eES_L4s

....and stand back!

Oh yeah, practice til your fingers bleed! :wink:

Cheers,
Joe

 

[Brad Little]

http://www.mandolincafe.com
Good starting point, lessons, songs, forum. I bought a mando about three years ago, never could adapt my left hand to the skinny neck. Funny, I have no trouble with the fiddle, at least the neck, getting good tones is something else.
Brad

 

[kitniyatran]

Mandolin Cafe is a great start; looking for a used mando in the classifieds there would also be a good way to get a decent deal on a decent starter.
You can start with any sort of decent mando; I wouldn't recommend trying for more than a $500 or so starter, in case you don't take to it, but I wouldn't go for one of those super cheap imports,either. You can get a very good flat top, flat back for $300 or more that will serve as a great starter. Most archtop/back mandos under $500 (aside from some vintage Kays, Stradolins,or a few others) will probably not be good values.
A lot depends on the music you want; sounds like the very progressive fringe of bluegrass; the Cafe has lessons & tabs available for free, as well as links to other sites & teachers. I'd recommend practicing the "FFCP" exercises at http://www.jazzmando.com/ for anyone trying mando family instruments, but maybe after you can move around in first position a bit..

 

[pjheff]

You can start with any sort of decent mando; I wouldn't recommend trying for more than a $500 or so starter, in case you don't take to it, but I wouldn't go for one of those super cheap imports,either. You can get a very good flat top, flat back for $300 or more that will serve as a great starter...

I guess I have similar questions to the original poster. For a beginner, would I be better off going with a vintage model or a newer midlevel import? My local GC has the following two mandolins listed as "Martin Style A," although I can't seem to find a model number, serial number, or even Martin badge on them:

With pickguard: http://m.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Vint ... 2827380.gc

Without: http://www.guitarcenter.com/In-Store-Vi ... 2827379.gc

Of course, for similar money I could take home a new Loar 520. Any advice?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[kitniyatran]

From what I see, if they don't need major repairs, either of those should be great choices, well beyond starter level, & should you decide to sell later, probably sell for what you put into them, or better.

 

[pjheff]

From what I see, if they don't need major repairs, either of those should be great choices, well beyond starter level, & should you decide to sell later, probably sell for what you put into them, or better.

Thanks for the response. They had nice voices to my untrained ear. Would you recommend such a vintage instrument for a novice over a comparably priced import, such as the The Loar 520?

Pat

 

[idealassets]

Thanks for the info. I love the sound of a mando.

 

[GalenB]

Focus on learning to play closed position movable 3 and 4 finger/string chords. If you want to play progressive bluegrass/jamgrass you'll need to learn to chop (percussive 2 and 4 beat strumming). You can't really chop chords with open strings as you get sustain, which is not what you want. You want a quick snap, like a snare shot with no sustain. If you play guitar, you might find the switch to mando pretty refreshing given the strings being tuned in 5th intervals. Once you start learning some chords and notes up the neck, google "four finger closed position scales for the mandolin".

Instead of covering just one fret per finger, you'll cover two (see the pattern above) and can cover a full octave on two adjacent strings with no shift. That will get you rolling, and from there make sure you look up the major pentatonic patter and minor pentatonic.

You get more bang for your buck with an A style. I'd stay away from Epiphone, Fender, and new Washburns (though the old Jethro Burns from the late 70s and 80s sound great); they generally don't sound too good or hold their value. There's alot of value in vintage Gibson A styles...they sound great (if taken care of play great) but don't have the F style curl. I've played some vintage Martin A styles and they were fine.

Most use a heavier pick than most (non flatpicking) guitarist use, otherwise you'll get a flappy pick sound when chopping and limited volume when soloing. Over 1mm.

My two centavos. Good luck in your new journey.

 

[dapmdave]

+1 on the Strad-o-lin!

Sounds great and plays easy! All original and appears to be all solid wood, with a cool bakelite pickguard.

So, look around. These are out there, and not that expensive.

Dave

 

[kitniyatran]

From what I see, if they don't need major repairs, either of those should be great choices, well beyond starter level, & should you decide to sell later, probably sell for what you put into them, or better.

Thanks for the response. They had nice voices to my untrained ear. Would you recommend such a vintage instrument for a novice over a comparably priced import, such as the The Loar 520?

Pat

The better the instrument you start with, the more likely you are to stick with it, and be challenged to come up to the instrument's level. If you can get a Martin mando in decent playing condition for no more than $500, I say grab it. If you want a more "bluegrass" instrument after you can get around enough, you'll be set well for an upgrade, though you may want to supplement, rather than replace. A Gibson A model would be great, but it's doubtful you'll find one in the price range of those Martins.

Nice Strad, Dave. Yours? When I was married, I bought my wife one of those; very nice, beyond its monetary value. As far as I know, she may still have it, but she never did much with it.

 

[kitniyatran]

Focus on learning to play closed position movable 3 and 4 finger/string chords. If you want to play progressive bluegrass/jamgrass you'll need to learn to chop (percussive 2 and 4 beat strumming). You can't really chop chords with open strings as you get sustain, which is not what you want. You want a quick snap, like a snare shot with no sustain. If you play guitar, you might find the switch to mando pretty refreshing given the strings being tuned in 5th intervals. Once you start learning some chords and notes up the neck, google "four finger closed position scales for the mandolin".

Instead of covering just one fret per finger, you'll cover two (see the pattern above) and can cover a full octave on two adjacent strings with no shift. That will get you rolling, and from there make sure you look up the major pentatonic patter and minor pentatonic.

You get more bang for your buck with an A style. I'd stay away from Epiphone, Fender, and new Washburns (though the old Jethro Burns from the late 70s and 80s sound great); they generally don't sound too good or hold their value. There's alot of value in vintage Gibson A styles...they sound great (if taken care of play great) but don't have the F style curl. I've played some vintage Martin A styles and they were fine.

Most use a heavier pick than most (non flatpicking) guitarist use, otherwise you'll get a flappy pick sound when chopping and limited volume when soloing. Over 1mm.

My two centavos. Good luck in your new journey.

As I cited above,

... I'd recommend practicing the "FFCP" exercises at http://www.jazzmando.com/ for anyone trying mando family instruments, but maybe after you can move around in first position a bit..

 

[kitniyatran]

From what I see, if they don't need major repairs, either of those should be great choices, well beyond starter level, & should you decide to sell later, probably sell for what you put into them, or better.

Thanks for the response. They had nice voices to my untrained ear. Would you recommend such a vintage instrument for a novice over a comparably priced import, such as the The Loar 520?

Pat

I haven't tried a Loar, but they get good reviews, especially the 600 & 700 models. I've tried Eastmans, but wasn't that impressed short of the top of the line 900 model. I'd choose the Martin, if the prices were similar, but that's largely my opinion, & you know what folks say about opinions .
Of course, I'm not concerned with "bluegrass" looks & sound, so much as Good playability & sound.

 

[frettedstrings]

I guess you have to decide what kind of music you are going to play. Country Bluegrass uses both strumming patterns and Chords as well as scales of notes on the fretboard. I am learning a more classical mandolin approach.

If I were to buy a new mandolin, I would buy an "A" Style vs. an "F" Style and probably a Morgan Monroe

MAM200c (Mahogany)

http://morganmonroe.com/products/MORGAN ... th=125_129

MMA-150c Vintage

http://morganmonroe.com/products/MO...VINTAGE-A-STYLE-W-CASE-311.html?cPath=125_129


I like old music, so I wanted a vintage mandolin. I found a 1920's Round Back, on ebay:

I want to install Nylgut Strings for a softer, less brassy sound.


-frettedstrings

 

[dapmdave]

Nice Strad, Dave. Yours? When I was married, I bought my wife one of those; very nice, beyond its monetary value. As far as I know, she may still have it, but she never did much with it.

Yes, it's mine. I picked it up recently, and I really like it. I had first gotten an Alvarez F-style. It sounded good but it was harder to play. I was able to sell if off at a small profit, and later picked up the Strad.

I plan on using it to add some nice mandolin "grace" to some recordings.

Dave

 

[kitniyatran]

...

Yes, it's mine. I picked it up recently, and I really like it. I had first gotten an Alvarez F-style. It sounded good but it was harder to play. I was able to sell if off at a small profit, and later picked up the Strad.

I plan on using it to add some nice mandolin "grace" to some recordings.

Dave

Stradolin may not have been a "name" brand, but those old Strads are better than most of what comes out of Asia!

 

[pjheff]

...

Yes, it's mine. I picked it up recently, and I really like it. I had first gotten an Alvarez F-style. It sounded good but it was harder to play. I was able to sell if off at a small profit, and later picked up the Strad.

I plan on using it to add some nice mandolin "grace" to some recordings.

Dave

Stradolin may not have been a "name" brand, but those old Strads are better than most of what comes out of Asia!

Any thoughts on affordable American models, such as vintage Martin or modern instruments from Mid-Missouri / Big Muddy?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[kitniyatran]

Earlier in the thread,I've suggested the Martins being considered would probably be good deals; I stand by that; Martin's mandolins are excellent;they just aren't Gibson clones.
Mid-Missouri / Big Muddy has a great rep, so I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them, they go for very reasonable prices, new or used. Again, they're not Gibson clones, so not for every taste long term, but certainly fine for anyone new to mando; they should be similar to the vintage Martins.
There are some other smaller name builders of less pricey mandos; I'd suggest checking the Mandolin Cafe; there's a builder database, as well as classifieds, and discussions of builders in the forum.
Howard Morris makes very reasonably priced carved A & F styles, as do a few others in the US whose names don't pop out, but the Cafe is a good source for recommendations. As for larger, factory makers, Breedlove's lower end are very reasonable for the quality, made in Oregon, and available through major retailers, such as Guitar Center.
As noted, a vintage Stradolin can be a great bargain, as can some vintage Kays(or Stromberg-Voisinet), and Kalamazoo(by Gibson)'s, among others.

 

[pjheff]

Earlier in the thread,I've suggested the Martins being considered would probably be good deals; I stand by that; Martin's mandolins are excellent;they just aren't Gibson clones.
Mid-Missouri / Big Muddy has a great rep, so I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them, they go for very reasonable prices, new or used. Again, they're not Gibson clones, so not for every taste long term, but certainly fine for anyone new to mando; they should be similar to the vintage Martins.
There are some other smaller name builders of less pricey mandos; I'd suggest checking the Mandolin Cafe; there's a builder database, as well as classifieds, and discussions of builders in the forum.
Howard Morris makes very reasonably priced carved A & F styles, as do a few others in the US whose names don't pop out, but the Cafe is a good source for recommendations. As for larger, factory makers, Breedlove's lower end are very reasonable for the quality, made in Oregon, and available through major retailers, such as Guitar Center.
As noted, a vintage Stradolin can be a great bargain, as can some vintage Kays(or Stromberg-Voisinet), and Kalamazoo(by Gibson)'s, among others.

Elrod--

Thanks for the insight. Looking around, it seems like I can get a used Mid-Missouri in the $350-400 range, a new Big Muddy for roughly $575-625, and a vintage Martin around $600-650. I'm just trying to make an informed decision.

Pat

 

[kitniyatran]

That seems like a tough decision. Mid Mo is the company Big Muddy used to be, so they should be very similar. I just saw a couple of Martins on Mandolin Cafe for $750 - $900something. I guess the thing is to look them over if possible, & see if either stands out as in better or worse condition, playability, sound, etc. Happy hunting.