How many of us play the Mandolin?

Michael Strauss · Post by **Michael Strauss** » 16 Sep 2008 2:23 pm

I have a ukulele which I try to play. Kinda like a mandolin with 4 strings.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 Sep 2008 2:27 pm

Mike, did you mean to say, "How many of us admit to playing the mandolin?"

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 16 Sep 2008 2:44 pm

I believe I was the former owner of the "Cheap Fender" Roger R referred to.(Roger, if you do a comparison, I think you may find the Fender better sounding than the Epiphone, though not as pretty.) Recently purchased an Eastman "A" model. Had all intentions of going with an "F" model but this particular unit far outshined every mandolin in the place, a real banjo killer! IMO, Eastman is the best new "A" model mandolin available for under $1000.00.... I still occasionally substitute in a local Bluegrass band when the regular player is unavailable. (Am also their standby banjo, six string guitar and Reso player.)

Luke Morell · Post by **Luke Morell** » 16 Sep 2008 3:10 pm

I have one, don't play it very much.

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 16 Sep 2008 3:46 pm

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Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 16 Sep 2008 3:48 pm

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Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 16 Sep 2008 3:50 pm

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Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 16 Sep 2008 3:59 pm

I do. Here is a shot of my Weber "STE" F model. Its the one in my avatar as well!
Love it!

David LeBlanc · Post by **David LeBlanc** » 16 Sep 2008 4:24 pm

Not a pro, but can play a few tunes.Ive had one for years. Just a cheap thing.

Steve Feldman · Post by **Steve Feldman** » 16 Sep 2008 4:28 pm

Rick Batey wrote:Kevin, I sympathize. I nearly let go of this one a few times.

Nice! I've had 2 Style A's that I let go of over time. What I'd really like to have above all else is a nice F-4. That's the one for me!

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 16 Sep 2008 5:43 pm

Count me in, I ain't too good, but I get by. I have an electric Fender FM62SE, and a nice Washburn "F" style. They both play and sound good.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 16 Sep 2008 6:33 pm

I've played the mandoline since about 1964.

Michael Lee: the cumbus isn't really a mandoline, you know, it's more akin to the banjo.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 16 Sep 2008 6:40 pm

Ah yes...mandolin...a fine Italian word that when translated to English means "out of tune"...

(as told to me by mighty fine mando player Tim O'Brien)

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 16 Sep 2008 7:07 pm

Rick,That's great credentials to having played with Mr.Bill.I have been told he could be a little cantankerous sometimes [A genius usually is] Was this true?DYKBC.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 16 Sep 2008 7:13 pm

I pick at one when I have to.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 16 Sep 2008 7:31 pm

Charles D.,

Bill was one of the nicest guys I ever worked for. He never complained to me about anything I played, but I had sense enough to play what I knew he wanted and not try to reinvent the wheel. Contrary to popular belief, I've found that guys on his level and looking for a competent and reliable player, that doesn't have bad habits and gets along well with everyone when you're on the road. They are the stars, they don't want someone that tries to make his own show. I really miss Mr. Monroe. He was a good man. I've seen him go get change in a restuarant so he could pass out quarters to kids.

Ronald Sikes · Post by **Ronald Sikes** » 16 Sep 2008 7:32 pm

I've got a Kentucky "A" style I used to play a lot.Haven't picked it up in a couple of years .

Harry Dietrich · Post by **Harry Dietrich** » 16 Sep 2008 8:59 pm

I do.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 16 Sep 2008 10:18 pm

He was a good man. I've seen him go get change in a restuarant so he could pass out quarters to kids.

Yup, that's certainly true. Bill showed up to play impromptu at several bluegrass jams I played at over a period of years, and we still have the quarters he gave my daughter tucked away with his signature for safe keeping. He was so passionate about his music and the people around it.

My earlier answer was pretty flip. I don't play enough mandolin to hurt me, but I can hack around some. It's a nice texture instrument in certain situations, and I agree that most bluegrass bands without the strong mandolin chop don't cut it for me. I've had a few old Gibsons - mostly A-models - but decided I really didn't need that good a mandolin. Right now, guitar, steel, and b@njo are quite enough, thank you.

I did get to play Bill's old mandolin very briefly one time when talking to him offstage at one of these jams. Pretty durned cool - but I'm glad I wasn't the one that asked him why he scratched the Gibson logo off the headstock. He got a little irascible on that particular subject - sternly polite, but very clear he didn't want to discuss it.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 17 Sep 2008 12:28 am

I used to play mandolin---All you bluegrass guys know how it is---Everybody can do a gig on more than one instrument. I had a GREAT Flatiron F-5, when Bruce Webber was still running the company. Put modern Gibsons, and most custom builders, to shame.
John Duffey had a great right hand, too.

DALE WHITENER · Post by **DALE WHITENER** » 17 Sep 2008 3:11 am

Count me in. I consider myself pretty much a hack, but I do have a nice '73 Gibson F5.

Robbie Roberts · Post by **Robbie Roberts** » 17 Sep 2008 3:29 am

I play a bit of mandolin. It's only a cheapo one and does what I need it to for recordings etc. I've neglected getting any better at it since buying a pedal steel, steel takes up all my brain power.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 17 Sep 2008 3:47 am

The first instrument I ever attempted to play was mandolin when I was in high school. A friend of mine's father had a bluegrass band and he played guitar and mandolin in the group. I'd go to some of their practices (rehearsals) and one day he handed me a mandolin and showed me how to make open G, C, & D and that was it, I was hooked! While the other kids were crazy about Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, etc. I was into Bill Monroe and Ira Louvin....

Here's a couple of shots of my "baby". It's an old F style Gibson that I don't know the age of but it looks pretty ancient. There wasn't any sticker inside when I got it. The inside has been painted with a black enamel, supposedly to brighten the sound. I had to replace all the tuning pegs as the buttons had crumbled and I put on a new heavier tailpiece from Stewart McDonald. The pickguard was also crumbling so I put on another. I also added a Fishman piezo bridge so it could be amplified........JH in Va.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 17 Sep 2008 4:41 am

I have a cheap F5 copy that sounds pretty good. I just use it when I am playing a show that has a mandolin double. I tune it like a guitar.

Tamara James · Post by **Tamara James** » 17 Sep 2008 4:45 am

I am an "owner." I would like to play it better.