How many acoustic guitar players here also have a mandolin ?

gerardo1000 · #1 09-14-2010, 03:45 PM

I have been playing acoustic guitar for forty years (although I still am a mediocre player, sigh...) just for my own pleasure, and several months ago I started feeling the need and the curiosity to try some other stringed instruments and see if there is something else, besides guitar, that attracts me and that I would like to learn. What a journey ! I bought (and re-sold) several instruments.
I tried the 5 string banjo, the ukulele, the bouzouki, the mandolin.
(I also tried some non stringed instruments, but this is will be part of a different thread).
Of all of them, the one that I really felt in love with (AFTER my guitars) is the mandolin. I still don't know how to play it well (I am working with instructional books and CDs) but there is something in the sound of the mandolin that gives me pleasure. It is also very pleasant to play, with its small size and those small high tension strings.
I just wonder how many other members in this forum share an interest for this
instrument.

HHP · #2 09-14-2010, 03:57 PM

Used to play more mandolin than guitar so I have 2 acoustics and an electric. Lots of fun to play and very logical layout. Lately, I've been playing around with a 1920's Slingerland short scale tenor banjo in case I ever need to break my lease.

HudsDad · #3 09-14-2010, 04:04 PM

I've often considered picking up a mandolin, but I know nothing about them other than I like the sound.

cpmusic · #4 09-14-2010, 04:23 PM

I have a manolin and an octave mandolin, both by Flatiron. I can't say I'm very good on either, but I enjoy them both.

nachomaga · #5 09-14-2010, 04:23 PM

I have a Rover mandolin that I play from time to time, but I'm always come back to my guitars. Anyway, it's funny to change the instrument for a while.

IMG_1255 por nachomaga, en Flickr

gerardo1000 · #6 09-14-2010, 04:23 PM

HHP, how is the Tenor banjo ? I understand that it is completely different from the traditional 5 string bluegrass banjo. It is played with a flat pick, right ? I did not try a tenor banjo in my search because my son's guitar teacher, who also plays banjo very well, told me that tenor banjo, in his opinion, is quite a difficult instrument to learn compared to 5th string banjo.

Shadowraptor · #7 09-14-2010, 04:24 PM

Pick Me Monty! I have a cheap(er) Indiana mandolin that is fun to play.

cpabolting · #8 09-14-2010, 04:28 PM

1990 Gibson F-5 Fern - Signed Bruce Weber....

Though not unusual because I am really a fiddle player! And I pick a little 5 string banjo... working on that !

Shadowraptor · #9 09-14-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerardo1000

I tried the 5 string banjo, the ukulele, the bouzouki, the mandolin.

In addition to my guitars and mandolin, I also have a Puerto Rican Cuatro (10 strings), an Arabian Oud (11 strings) and a mountain dulcimer (4 strings). I haven't had an opportunity to try a bouzouki, but it looks really neat. I would also like to try a 10 string guitar a la Janet Marlow and a harp guitar, but have never seen either around these parts.

MJScott · #10 09-14-2010, 04:30 PM

I almost switched to being a full time mando player, but then after 2 years nearly gave the whole enterprise up. I now only have one mando and about 7 or 8 guitars. I only play fingerstyle on the guitar so working with a pick for the first time was daunting. I am now 2+ years into it and do enjoy the small size and the diversion. MAS has been setting in and I think an f hole mando is in my future (my current one is an oval hole). For more info than anyone really needs visit www.mandolincafe.com and get engrossed into the mandolin world!

HHP · #11 09-14-2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gerardo1000

HHP, how is the Tenor banjo ? I understand that it is completely different from the traditional 5 string bluegrass banjo. It is played with a flat pick, right ? I did not try a tenor banjo in my search because my son's guitar teacher, who also plays banjo very well, told me that tenor banjo, in his opinion, is quite a difficult instrument to learn compared to 5th string banjo.

It's pretty easy. Tuned just like a mandolin GDAE the way I play it, scale about the same as an octave mandolin. Played with a pick like the mandolin as well. It is pretty limited in what you will want to play, mostly used in this form for Irish and Scottish music as a melody instrument. Not real useful in a rhythm role.

L20A · #12 09-14-2010, 04:46 PM

I have a Kentucky all solid wood mandolin that I got in a trade for an electric guitar about 12 years ago.
I like to play around with it once in a while but I have several friends that play the mandolin very well, so I don't pull it out when I'm pickin with them.

I also have a 12 string guitar and a resonator guitar for the different sounds that they have.

Guess I just like to hear different sounds.

Brackett Instruments · #13 09-14-2010, 05:07 PM

I've got a Mandolin, and a couple Fiddles. I'm not going to be playing them in public, but I can entertain myself with them. I've also got a BANJO and I'm not afraid to use it

Cue Zephyr · #14 09-14-2010, 05:16 PM

Want one.

jrutledg · #15 09-14-2010, 05:26 PM

When I went through a bluegrass phase 20 or so years ago, I played a Carlson-signed Flatiron from the early years. Sold that instrument when I lost interest in bluegrass.

However, I recently picked up mando again, after getting an Apitius F and a Heiden A. Having lots of fun. I don't do banjo but have also just started upright bass. What a wonderful world of music to explore!