Is a 4-string mando for young children...a thing? Maybe with nylon strings?
Is a 4-string mando for young children...a thing? Maybe with nylon strings?
Yes, ukuleles DO exist.
There's also this:
http://www.redvalleymandolins.com/mandolin-amw-nylon
Might be a little pricey to trust to a small child though. You could always get a soprano ukulele and put fifths tuning strings on (GDAE like a mandolin). A ukulele neck is quite different from a mandolin neck though, much wider.
Uke with special strings on it - so you can tune it GDAE - is an option. Elderly Instruments used to carry the strings, probably still do.
There was a mandolin called a KidMo that I've heard about - made a few years ago. Not sure if you can find one.
Backpacker or mini mandolin could be an option.
Or buy an inexpensive mandolin and only put 4 strings on it. Worked for a young Bill Monroe...
Good luck! and good for you for getting a young child into music!
Kirk
I forgot about this one too:
https://www.magicfluke.com/Mandolin-p/flea-mandolin.htm
It's got a plastic neck, back and sides so it's super durable and a small ukulele body. Seems great for a kid. Steel strings though.
That's what I was thinking...I just can't believe nobody makes one.
My thinking is that not only would the single strings vs courses be easier to learn on...but the neck shape/size is much closer to a fiddle as well. And since they're normally tuned the same...it might be a good primer to beat on for a child that's too young for a fiddle. And since you could then play it both plectrum and fingerstyle...it might be the archetypal "first instrument".
You can get a uke for under $30 that would be fine for that purpose. Then get strings to tune to mandolin tuning. There is little need for a separately made instrument. The Fluke costs $515. Much cheaper to get a uke, etc.
Jim
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Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)
And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.
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