View Full Version : Risa Mando-stick
John Flynn
Apr-10-2005, 9:19pm
Has anyone actually owned or played a Risa Mando Stick? I am thinking about getting one to pack in my suitcase when I travel and for whatever reason can't take my travel mando, which happens sometimes. I am not thinking of it as a serious instrument and I don't care how it sounds, I am just interested in it as a "practice device" almost like a drum pad would be for a drummer. My question is do they play enough like a mando to be good for practice?
Donald
Apr-13-2005, 8:49am
A guy I worked with brought one back with him from the US a few months ago. It actualy has the feel of a mandolin, enough to be a good practice instrument, when you don't want to make noise to bother anyone. It's really small, but has the same scale length as a mandolin. The neck is a funny shape, but I found it didn't take long to get used to it. It sounds mostly like any electric mando when you play it through a amp. If you have never played a electric before, they can be a lot of fun. My friend got it so he could practice in his apt. and not disturbe anyone, and it works good for that. Being so small and solid you could take it just about anywhere and not worry about it. It comes tuned as a mandola, but according to their website, you can use fishing line for the first string and move the others up and tune it as a mando. From my experience with his I'd say get it, it's fun and useful. You will have to buy a little amp for it if you want to be heard, of course.
mad dawg
Apr-13-2005, 10:19am
Interesting idea, this mandostick. This instrument could also open up new ways of playing mandolin, since I assume you could finger pick a four-stringed instrument with nylong strings. How much do they cost?
I got the RISA Manola for Christmas -- it's a great little instrument. Works well for silent practice, and I've plugged it into a DanoElectric 2 watt amp -- and it puts out more than enough sound. [The amp is so little, it can clip on your pocket].
I've used it to noodle around on while watching TV, etc. Unamplified, it puts out enough sound for just the player to hear.
No, it's not a real mandolin, but where there's no room for an instrument, it does just fine.
Sheryl
mikeyes
Apr-14-2005, 11:14am
After reading these postings I realized that I have one too, only it is called the Risa Soprano Ukulele. Exactly the same specs so it must be the same thing, Now I can buy a set of strings for it from Elderly.
Thanks guys!
mad dawg Posted
Interesting idea, this mandostick. This instrument could also open up new ways of playing mandolin, since I assume you could finger pick a four-stringed instrument with nylong strings.
If your name is Niles you can finger pick an eight stringed mandolin with steel strings. Clawhammer too.
GVD
JEStanek
Apr-14-2005, 7:49pm
Elderly is $165. I don't work there (I live in Pa and have only bought materials and tuner buttons from them...) They sponser the site and I just mentioned the Risa in antoher thread b/c I remember seeing it on Elderly's site as I didn't do work at work!
Jamie I own a Sweet Pea! My wife would probably prefer if I played a Risa!
mad dawg
Apr-14-2005, 11:12pm
mad dawg Posted
Interesting idea, this mandostick. This instrument could also open up new ways of playing mandolin, since I assume you could finger pick a four-stringed instrument with nylong strings.
If your name is Niles you can finger pick an eight stringed mandolin with steel strings. Clawhammer too.
GVD
So, if I change my name to Niles, I'll be able to play like Niles? (Sure beats hours of practice every day!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
mad dawg Posted
So, if I change my name to Niles, I'll be able to play like Niles? (Sure beats hours of practice every day!)
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
GVD