New Guy / Calhoun Stuff

[thumbknuckle]

Hello good people. Just received my Northfield Calhoun Wide Neck from Gryphon.
Gryphon did an excellent job.

I am not a mandolin player. Can play a little guitar, have a couple.

I've a weak left (fretting) hand and mandolins torment me.
Had the obligatory A-type plywood import a dozen years back & gave it away.
Sold the lovely Breedlove Crossover I purchased here a few years back
(great seller, great deal, very nice instrument) cause it was too painful.
Then I realized I was 'uncomfortable' without a mandolin.

I have some experience of tall frets and light strings on my guitar.

Gryphon said the Calhoun's frets stand .050" tall from the fretboard.
My micrometer says more like .055" and my calipers indicate a little less
than .050" wide. The Calhoun comes set up (perfectly) with a light string set.

This makes the Calhoun an enjoyable struggle and allows me to do more
than those other instruments so I'll learn to do what I can and skip the
painful bits. A mandolinist pal is helpful in reminding me that a mandolin
is NOT a guitar and to take a different approach.

I wanted to contribute the info about the fret height because I suspected it
from images but could not find it specified.

If you can squeeze out the $ I think the Calhoun is worth the premium you pay
for an American-made instrument. It was a squeeze for me.

I am happy with the Calhoun, happy with Gryphon and happy to be here.

Thank you,

thumbknuckle

[Zach Wilson]

Those are really nice flat top mandolins. Good sound and made really well!

Double courses and higher string tension does make fretting more difficult than guitars. But with some time and practice it does become easier. A nice instrument that you actually want to play helps

You're right, mandolins are more like a fretted fiddle, not a tiny guitar. Learning to play them as so helps down the road.

Congratulations!

[thumbknuckle]

Thank you Zach Wilson.

I meant to include that I am not really qualified to comment on the Calhoun for tone,
volume or 'chop.' Sounds good to me.

[UsuallyPickin]

Be patient with yourself. Strength and calluses come with time. A light set of strings https://www.juststrings.com/dad-j62....pia&kw=dad-j62 can help get you started. You can even start out with four strings if you are having trouble. Good Luck, R/

[FredK]

Welcome to the Café! I played an extremely high action Gibson J-50 for years when I was young before I knew any better so I understand the discomfort. Playing should be enjoyable and proper set up is top of the list. The Calhoun is a sweet instrument to play. I purchased mine from Elderly pre-pandemic and it gets a regular workout around here. Hang in there and enjoy the journey.

[Nashville]

hey thumbknuckle! be patient and don't give up. For many guitar players starting to play mandolin, it does seem more difficult to master. It's just a very different animal even if it is a stringed instrument. But this phase will pass and you will be much more comfortable with it before long. Just put in the time. Everyday. Learn some easy fiddle tunes to start. Learn some easy chords. Play it as often as you can. You will be rewarded. Cheers!

[thumbknuckle]

Thanks, everyone, for the hospitality, encouragement and advice.

I'm really fortunate to have this instrument and fortunate that it seems to
suit my needs very well. Over-did it yesterday and was only fatigued, not
damaged. Nice!