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I don't have much reach with my pinky. I make sure my ring finger is deployed one or two frets below. I find having my ring finger nearby also adds some strength and confidence to my pinky.

This video is especially made for Cafe members! I know we always talk a lot about equipment, and picks are definitely no exception here. So I thought I'd make an exhaustive review of the Apollo pick...

Have a 1995 2.5 with koa purchased new from Gryphon. Octaves on the G & D. It still sings!
Use round wound; prefer phosphor bronze over brass (bright bronze).
Never tried flat wound on it; like...

I have a 2012 Level 1 I bought used from Bernunzio's a couple of years ago. Scale is about 22". I use the GHS phos bronze octave mando set which runs 12/22/32/44.
I use it pretty exclusively for...

All four of those match the gauges of the EJ80 set, so there you go!

Also, I settled on phosphor bronze for the wound strings.

I own a Petersen level 2 (22.5’ scale length) that I purchased new from Gryphon around 2008. I spent some time working out what strings to use and ultimately used the gauges that were on it when I...

Heavier strings for the 20 inch shorter scale. For a 22 inch I would start with something like 012 020 032 046.

I like this string tension calculator:...

I had a couple Petersens. I loved em! I think they are one of the best value flat top octaves you can find. Look great and sound great.

Without knowing scale length it's hard top recommend a...

I have a question, what strings do you use on your Flatiron Artist A5?

I thought I'd share this here - I'm fortunate that my brother is a luthier, and while he specialises in classical guitars, he has occasionally made other instruments for friends and family for a...

This has been my favorite mandolin since I built it. GDAEB.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrSjrTLrA3Q

Well, this is a great question with no definitive singular answer. Every country developed its own style and expression of the dance. The Italian immigrant composers composed in the schottische...

Finland:
Ottopasuuna
JPP
Maria Kalaniemi
Helsinki Mandoliners (mandolin trio)
Värtinnä
Gjallarhorn
Tallari
Jarmo Rompanen (mandolin player)
Heikki Lahti (mandolin player, RIP)

Finnish mandolin is heavily influenced by Heikki Lahti.


https://youtu.be/hINXfAJipPA

More modern is Jarmo Romppanen -


https://youtu.be/cGnEBJN8Mmw

Thanks Dagger for that fine gift of music. Vassen is just amazing.

Here is another tune from a less well known band and it shows how a mandolin fits into the mix.


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Vasen from Sweden


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrAILI4-25M

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5NhA1emu8xw

I fitted a brand new Cumberland Acoustic bridge to 'once owned' mandolin ten years back. My mandolin had a radiussed fingerboard but the only bridge the store had was a straight topped one. I had to...

Yes, my Dude. Lynn finished #2 in 1996 for me. I requested a Fern Loar concept and got it. Adam was in town visiting and he let me make that video last December. Here are a few pics.
...

Or, you could make your own.

Pete