Newbee from Italy

[wpgtrtunes]

Hi all, first off I'd like to say congratulations to all for the great site. I've never seen such a spirit of good will like this on any other forum. Must be the bluegrass or the mandolin that attracts all the good folk.

So yes I live in Italy, this should be the home of mandolins, but it's not around here. (Milano) We have tons of guitar shops and we have luthiers, but mandolins are just not in vogue now. I have a really had time finding strings or instruments. However, there are still some shops that have very old instruments and some instruments built in the 20th century, ie, lombardo, napoletane, baroque, ect. The woods are beautiful and the sounds are very sweet and rich.

I'm a drummer from when I was a kid but lately I've really felt the need to play some "music". I pulled out my old guitar but when I started to play around with a little Romanian mandolin, well, it's just fun. I have to get a new mandolin soon because I have to give this back.

My question is; is it possible to get a little bit wider frett board? I find it impossible to jam my fingers 3 to a frett and to tell the truth, my hand is cramping after a while. I'm playing on a 30mm nut but I've seen ads for some mando's with 1 7/8' nuts.

Sorry if this is windy, but I want to introduce myself and ask a question at the same time. Thanks

[desaljs]

Welcome to the cafe! Here is an example of a "wide neck":

http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=8713

This dealer is great to work with. If you need to order from the United States, give them a try.

If you cannot source strings, they could help. If you need any help from me, fell free to contact me via this board, or e-mail me at: desaljs at comcast dot net.

I expect you to get Milano rocking on the mandolin in less than a year!!

Regards,

[jbrwky]

How far are you from Savona?

[wpgtrtunes]

Hey, thanks Jim D for the info. Right now I can't get into the link but I've seen the mandolin store before. Eyeball candy and all. I'll check it out asap. I'm working on that rocking part, right now I trying to get off on the right start, cording positions and proper scales. I'm taking my time and doing it right.

Hi Jbrwky, I'm about two hours drive from Savona. You have relatives there?

[jbrwky]

No relatives but one of the world's best mandolinists resides near there and teaches in the area. His name is Carlo Aonzo. You can read more about him here: http://www.mandozine.com/resources/CGOW/aonzo.php
At least you might be able to get some advice about teachers in your area, attend the festival, or find out about workshops, where to get a mandolin, etc.

[wpgtrtunes]

Hi jb, thanks for the link to Carlo Aonzo, interesting stuff. I saved the link for some study work. Looks like he has some info for beginners which can really come in handy.

Actually I'll be going to Florida to visit my father, it used to be home there. I'm hoping to pick up a mandolin while I'm there to save on shipping and all.

Cool, I see you're from NC. We lived in Lenoir when I was 8 years old. I do remember the nice music in the blueridge.

[Spruce]

"So yes I live in Italy, this should be the home of mandolins, but it's not around here. (Milano)"


I did run into a shop in Cremona when I was there that had quite a few mandolins...

What a wonderful town, and what a great people the Italians are....

Welcome to the Cafe, wpgtrtunes...

[wpgtrtunes]

Hey, I guess that I do under estimate where I am sometimes. I agree, Cremona is a really great place and the people are really laid back. There's also the school for luthiers that carries on the age old art. I'll try to keep and open mind when checking out the local mandolins. I just don't like those rounded backed Neopolitain styles.

I'll try to get some photos of some interesting mandolins for the site. Thanks again.

[Marcus Kaufman]

There is very good acoustic music store in Florence that has many mandolins for sale, both traditional and modern, including some from local luthiers. I don't remember the name, but it shouldn't be hard to find. Ask some kid on the street where the music store that sells mandolins is located ("Dove il negozio di musica che vende dei mandolini")

Also the Italian equivalent of MandolinCafe is worth a visit:

http://www.federmandolino.it/inde.html

This is the official federation of mandolin lovers web site in Italy and it has lots of good information, links and so on.