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Interesting (?) truly homemade F-5.



I am still trying to figure out what "spuir" is. The top looks like it was patched—maybe he carved too much?

That is an over-generalization. Yes, if you play a chord on a mandolin and then quickly mute it, that could be considered percussion and that is usually the purpose in a bluegrass band since there...

Some quality makers there including DeMeglio, Peretti, Salomone. Could be decent but looks like all need work.

Sherry: you are on the right track. Play every local one you can for sure. You may find one that excites you. If not you will have a good idea if you do go to Nashville or wherever. I look fwd to...

I am not sure what the standard luthier measuring system should be but I would guess it is better to measure center to center of the width of each string rather than the space between. I would also...

About GC used/vintage: they do have an excellent policy of shipping from any store to your local store. Then you have the option of going to that store and trying it out and you can then return it in...

This could be some variant of the Filipino bandurria which, if so, would be strung in double-string courses, not like a mandriola. Those instruments usually have 14 strings and modern versions have...

When a maker starts out usually they have a few models either named or numbered. Even post-Orville Gibson had a relatively sensible system for the few models of mandolins and guitars. As time went on...

I have relatively small hands for a person of the male persuasion. If I were commissioning a mandolin I would use my 23 snakehead A-2’s neck which is just about perfect for me. Width at the nut is...

Yes, Gibson’s illogical system. Sorta logical up to the 1920s then in the 1930s they started using the retail price to distinguish some instruments. I believe that is what the A-40 and A-50 meant. In...

Just curious: what is the scale length of this mandola?

I agree with Allen about the two strings per bridgepin design.

I have had pretty good experience with Fedex Home (formerly called Ground). They seemed the most accurate and at times got there sooner than they predicted. I did a trade once and the other guy used...

Personally I can stand a chunkier neck vs. one that is wider. I had a mandolin with a 1-1/4” neck at the nut and found it not great for me. OTOH I have played plenty of teens and 20s Gibsons with no...

My main fiddles are completely pointless. :)

Most people, including fiddlers don't even notice that they are odd. I do like they way they sound for fiddling. They were all designed and made in...

I certainly understand the concern about finish checking. I know there is no guarantee but I think checking usually occurs when you shock the instrument with one extreme or the other. If you keep it...

Any info on the label if there is one?

I was in the NY Mandolin Orchestra for quite a few years decades ago and sat in with them for their 90th anniversary concert. They started in 1924. A definite mix of various brands and old and new...

Looks like an amateur maker to me. Wood choice in interesting. Not sure of the top. Are the back and sides walnut?

For guitars with round soundhole it is easy. I have one of these Micro Soundhole Tuners inside my Huss & Dalton. It works great. It wouldn't work for mandolin even oval hole I don't think.

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Here's a suggestion: spend some time exploring the Mandolin Cafe mp3 Library. Lots of different genres represented there and there are even son tabs at the top of the list for specific genres.
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Oh, that Mr. Hopkins! The other advantage of the surf-a-lele is that you can stick its headstock in the sand when you dive into the ocean.

Sorry for my ignorance—who is Mr. Hopkins?

I understand that and it makes sense. What about Kreutzer etudes? My pro violinist friend walked me through those as excellent pedagogy tool even for mandolin.

Bob_d: are you trying to upload from a phone? You may be looking at the mobile version. Scroll down to the bottom. There should be something way down there that says: "Log Out | Full Site | Top"...

Many Bach pieces are better IMHO (cello suites transcribed for violin and the S&Ps for violin) and, to my ears, much more satisfying music. If you want to play this kind of stuff even scale books...