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My first mandolin was a Kentucky a140. I played that for 14 years, before upgrading to a Weber flatiron F5 artist in 1994. I sold it on eBay in 2003, because I wanted to buy a tenor banjo. I was...

Everybody's different. I use a jIm Dunlap 1mm nylon pick. Some of my students use Wegman's. Some use those expensive blue things.

I suggest a Brekke Bridge and a cast tailpiece. There are several brands and also some generic ones offered by various luthier supply companies. I like the look of the Allen cast tailpieces...

The two things that give away its origin are the cheap Chinese bridge and tailpiece. I'm guessing Afanti? Made in China, imported by Mando Shop in FL

I've been playing the mandolin since 1980. I use a Jim Dunlap 1mm (black) nylon pick for practice and rehearsals, and a Brain/Snarling Dogs 1.mm (orange) pick for mandocello/guitar.

Tell me about your scales practice routine. Do you practice all the scales around the circle of fifths or just a handful of the most commonly used scales?

I recommend to all my students that they...

I have a question for you luthiers: is it possible to "tap tune" a mandolin that was made in China as part of a setup here in the US?

I saw these pictures on Facebook recently, but I don't remember where (sorry I know that's not helpful). It might have been the mandocello group? Anyway, as a mandocello player and teacher, I'm...

Mandolin teacher for 32 years here.

Move your thumb down opposite the 2nd fret. The thumb that far back puts an enormous amount of strain on the wrist (test that by putting your right hand around...

I love what it says on the website "Don't quit your day job" :)

Steve do you make mandocellos, mandolas or bouzoukis?

Why do you call the top one the F? Is that because of the F holes, because it's clearly not a "standard" F-style mandolin.

What are you charging for the O style mandolins?

That's horrible. Return it

So true @Br1ck. Everybody talks about Eastmans, Kentuckys, Webers, Breedloves...I never see anybody talk about Phoenix (except 2 of my students who both independently just bought one each which is...

Great thread. As a mandocello player, I'm always looking for a narrow, D-shaped neck

Does anybody have the shop address for the current Weber mandolins? The website says "made in USA" but doesn't have the address

I bought a couple for the studio. It's not a full size mandolin and you won't be able to use it for performance (sorry to disappoint). It sounds like a ukulele, but not as sweet sounding. It's...

Here's a couple books:

1. The Fiddler's Fakebook by Dave Brody
2. The Portland Collection by Susan Songer (there are 3 in the series)
3. The Waltz Books by Bill Mathiesen - a must have for...

Some friends/colleagues and I are setting up a jam in western Massachusetts. Near Amherst and the Five Colleges, and closer to Springfield/Hartford than Worcester or Greenfield, but still in a...

Polkas and Slides tend to be slower than say reels and jigs, some slip jigs are also slower.

Slip Jigs:
The Butterfly
Kid on the Mountain
Bridegroom's Delight

Slides:
Road to Lisdoonvarna...

Stay away from "The Loar". Not worth the $$. Lots of Eastmans are nice, but you get what you pay for. My advice is to start putting $100 a month away now for a couple of years and buy a Weber or...

3rd finger on the g string, 4th fret

Can't wait to see it when it's finished and hear somebody confident play it

The Builder says it's an F Style which clearly it is not. I'm wondering if he means it has F holes? No indication of price, which would be very helpful.

I recommend you ask your teacher this question.