Re: Temperature and Outdoor Gigs
Is it safe to assume the electric is single string? If so, I think the F-9 will be more suitable for those songs. It will allow you to use tremolo without having to modify your picking technique. That's my experience, anyway. Also, that's the sound I hear in my head of what kind of mandolin part would be best there.
As to how to care for the F-9 in the heat and humidity, common sense will lead you. Don't leave it in the sun, keep it in the case in a shady spot when not playing, wipe after playing, stuff like that. Just so you know, I play my 100+-year-old Gibson A in the heat and humidity here, and have done for years, and all I've ever had to worry about was the sweat on my right wrist forearm damaging the finish on the top where it tends to rest. Judicious wiping will get you through a gig and a bit of cleaning when you get home should be enough. Especially if you're just doing two songs, instead of the 3 1/2 45-minute sets I'm doing. We're in the shade, but still ... I'm more concerned about the mandolinist than the mandolin at this point. It's a good idea to get out of the heat as much as you can. That stuff will creep up on you.
Good luck and have fun!
But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller
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