View Full Version : playability
keymandoguy
Apr-27-2004, 12:16pm
I have 2 mandolins Im not going to mention brands one is a Astyle round hole the other a Fstyle F is a much better mando solid spruce top better tone etc. But my round hole plywood top etc just seems like it is the easier to play especialy on tremalo. anyone else with multiple mandos have favors of one over other on playability ?Im hopin the f since is newer is jut needing more playing?thoughts?
mandroid
Apr-27-2004, 12:35pm
One word; setup.
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Jeff_Stallard
Apr-27-2004, 12:39pm
My Portugeuse mando tremelos much easier than my carved mandos, so I know what you mean.
There are dozens of things that affect playability. The three things I'd look at are string height at the nut, string height at the 12th fret, and string guages. Those can drastically affect playability. I'm leaving out the pick because I'm assuming you use the same pick on both.
John Flynn
Apr-27-2004, 12:59pm
I agree with the setup comment. It really is amazing what a good setup can do to any mando, cheap or expensive. I also think strings make a difference. The lighter strings, TIs, Silk and Steels, etc seem more playable. Personally, I like radiused fretboards and slightly wider, fatter necks for playability, but that is personal preference. I do think that it's important to find the neck/fingerboard profile that works for you.
8ch(pl)
Apr-27-2004, 1:34pm
I have a Mid Missouri M-4 and a Samick A style (solid woods). Both are fine instruments and although I play the flat top more, I still like the Samick. I do not find much difference between playing the two instruments, but this is due to having a nice low action on each of them. I have made and fitted a Red Henry style bridge out of Beech wood on the carved top Samick.
I also like the action at the nut on both mandolins.
Again setup. Nothing is more important and I think it is more critical to the mandolin than it is to guitar.
Another factor that contributes to the percieved playability is the response you get out of some instruments over others. If you have two mandolins that are both set up well but one has a tone/volume that seems to "jump off the strings", that mandolin will seem to be more playable because less effort is required to get a good sound out of it.