Beginner (and stupid...) questions

[Patrick P.]

OOps, sorry for that questions.., and for my poor english (french #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ).
I play 5 string banjo and decide to change a little by learning mandolin.
I bought in BORDEAUX (french town...) #the only mandolin ...
It's a Fender FM-52 E, and the neck seems to be very narrow 1.12 '' at nut , action is very low but difficult to produce clean sounds !!!
Is that a standard dimension for the neck or it's just because it's a beginner instrument ?
Many thanks.

Patrick.

[grandmainger]

Bonjour Patrick.

This is a rather standard neck width. Look at the very standard Michael Kelly Mandolin with full specifications (http://www.michaelkellyguitars.com/mandolins/legacyclassicspecs.html). For information, 1 5/32'' = 2.54 + 2.54*5/ 32= 2.94 cm.

Have fun with the mandolin, it takes abit of getting used to, but it's a GREAT instrument.

Germain

[Patrick P.]

Merci beaucoup Germain.
It's very kind!
I have to work a lot.

Patrick

[grandmainger]

Patrick,

You should download the videos from the mandolincafe discussion HERE (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=16085;st=25). It is a member here who filmed hismself playing. It is very informative about hand positions. I find it has helped me a lot.

Bonne chance!

Germain