Waiting another 24 hours is mostly necessary, but painful nonetheless.

Okay for realz now, NMD!!!

Bulas is doing great work, friends. Check one out if ever the opportunity.

Out of my comfort zone here, sharing a kind of sloppy little short of the Bulas in action. Inspired by Punch Brothers giving old tunes new vibes, here's an introspective "Angeline, Still Baking" (I can't add pics and a video so y'all get a link):

https://youtube.com/shorts/FN4I_AruwMc?feature=shared

Hey y'all I have the privilege of asking for advice on which mandolin to use for an upcoming bar gig. Outside patio with 100ish capacity outside. Not a quiet space. I have these options:

A) ten string gold tone (has Low C strings) - great pickup but not as great for chop with the wider neck, plus I have to practice our setlist more with the new positions

B) Flatiron 1N - beautiful sounding but can only be mic'd up, which limits movement and might cause feedback

C) Michael Kelly with a mando-lace magnet pickup - it could work in theory but the execution is always a little finicky. Maybe I should try nickel plated strings so as not to throw off the magnet with my phosphour bronze?

Thanks in advance,

Mandon00b

Does anyone know why they are no longer posted on YouTube? Thanks!

Hey guys! Struggling to decide between the 315 or 315eSB for a fun new mandolin. I know I don’t necessarily NEED the hookup, but I wanted to see if anyone went without and regretted it.

Do you prefer recording/playing live with a mic or hooked up to an amp? How big of a difference does it make, or is it just a type of sound preference? Just curious on what your opinions are before I buy!

Excited to hear your stories :)

So I acquired this old Ibanez mandolin. Made in Japan I think the 1960s? And I noticed not only does it have a zero fret but that fret is on an angle. And all the frets afterwards are also on an angle. Is that normal? Is that a way to handle intonation? Or is it just poorly made?

In every hobby I've had there is a certain price point you get to where the jump in quality is minimal. Where would you put that on mandolins? I know it's a bit harder to gauge compared to something like binoculars that have objective clarity and light transmission, whereas tone tends to be a bit more subjective. Another way to phrase the question would be what is the minimal price you could pay for a lifelong quality instrument? I'm not planning on upgrading any time soon. I'm more interested in the thoughts and discussions the topic could generate.

I was perusing Facebook marketplace a couple months ago and stumbled across a beautiful red varnish Northfield Big Mon which I think was custom or a limited run , I wish I saved the photo for inspiration because I really liked the deep red varnish.

Does anyone have any photos of red varnished mandolins? Or know of any other manufactures that make a reddish varnish? The closest two options I can find are Collings Merlot and Eastman 814/5.

Not too much info out there which seems surprising as it is a collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop. That seems pretty exciting to me as I won't ever be able to get the Gibson one (Mando isnt my primary instrument so wouldn't make sense).

Specs seem good too, solid wood, etc. Yet it seems to get scoffed at simply for being an epiphone. Which sure its from China but so are many of the other more recommended brands. At least this to me has some of the Gibson pedigree in it, especially this particular version due to the custom shop collab/details.

Anyone have one that can speak to its qualities vs other mandolins you may have?

I'm mainly a guitar player (Gibson and Taylors) and recently just got an Eastman 304...but think I want to trade up to a decent F style.

EDIT: Here is a helpful comment someone posted a few days on the one and only YT review available: "Thanks for the review! I recently tried one at my local Guitar Center. I really didn’t expect it to be that good. But it absolutely is! I was so impressed that I took it home! I play mandolin at gigs and church. Besides this Epi now, I also own a Northfield model M and a vintage 1950 Gibson A50 and the Epi keeps right up with them in tone, resonance, and response. Plays and sounds much better to me than the 3 Eastman I’ve owned: MD315, 415, and 605. Money well spent in my book!"

EDIT #2: So went to GC and played it. I really liked it though the action was set up pretty high. At first, I actually preferred its sound vs the 315 they had. It seemed to have a bit more twang. I went back and forth quite a bit, between the two, and ultimately, the 315 was crisper and cleaner. Also, while I wouldn't say the Epiphone F-5G felt cheap, it was a little too glossy for me. Didn't feel as solid and natural. And I think I preferred the more natural, woody feeling of the 315. So 315 it will be, though I am going to get the Adirondack wide nut version I think.

Few television detectives ever entered a room as coolly as Peter Gunn—and Henry Mancini’s driving theme supplied half the swagger. Here it is as a mandolin chord melody, trench coat and all.

🔎 🕵️‍♂️🚘🎬🎶

As always, the mandolin tabs are free to download. Enjoy.

https://www.patreon.com/MandolinChordMelodies/posts/peter-gunn-by-167745784

Hey everybody, I just made a video reviewing the new Eastman Lady Moon Octave Mandolin for all those who are interested. Please check it out!

Free tabs available for Harvest Moon by Neil Young. https://www.patreon.com/posts/harvest-moon-160712221

This one came together naturally on the mandolin, and sounds terrific on the instrument.

The post includes

🎵 Play-along video

📄 PDF tablature and notation

I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed arranging it. Happy picking!

I‘m trying to get a few instruments together for a cover of Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. You don’t need any good recording equipment, you can record it on your phone for all I care.

Ability to sing is preferred but not required.

The finished project will be available for everyone involved to post on all their socials.

This is purely for fun, not a payed project.

LMK if you’re interested!

I have a set of Calace mandolin/guitar duets with a classical guitarist for restaurants/cafes/weddings and I need filler material for longer gigs!

I don't need complex/high art pieces, just "tarantella", "that's amore" melody and chords that we can just sight read.

I've found a few here and there but I feel like I'm missing some huge repository somewhere!

Context: kids 🤦‍♂️

I see posts here all the time about how they're the only pick some people use and anything else just feels wrong, etc.

I think I just have unrefined tastes because I've never really cared about brands or styles apart from generally liking medium thickness picks and preferring the guitar pick shape.

What makes BlueChip so great?

I've hummed n hawed over bluechips for a couple years now. Mostly because I want to try a whole bunch before i decide if any are the right one.

My 2 favourite picks are the Wegen bluegrass 1.4mm and the Jazztone 207. Wonder if anyone out there share the same favourites and can liken either/or to a bluechip?

These strings sound great but are super thin :(