Transition from Guitar to Beg. Bluegrass Mando

[GETanEDGE]

Hello All,

I've searched the posts looking for some beginner help, but a lot of my questions have been answered so I decided to start a post myself. #

First off a little background. I've been playing guitar for almost 15 years. By no means do I claim to be a master of this instrument. I am mostly self taught but I know my way around pretty well. I can't read music, but I have become very proficient at playing by ear. #About 3 years ago I started listening to a lot of modern bluesgrass music (Mike Marshall, Chris Thile). #Obviously there is probably no way I'll ever be able to play like these guys, but I'd like to learn.

Some Questions I have are:
How hard is it to transition from guitar over to mandolin?
Are there any decent F-style mandolins out there for 200 - 300 dollars? I've been doing some searching on Ebay and have come across some Johnson Mandolins in this price range. Does anyone have any experience with these, or are they just cheap knock offs? Best ways to start learning (videos, books, lessons)?

Sorry I have so many questions, I'd just like to get some advice before I jump into things. #I'd really appreciate any feedback you can provide. Thanks!

Mark

[jlb]

How hard is it to transition from guitar over to mandolin?

Not very. You already know how to use a flatpick probably. The mandolin fretboard makes a whole lot more sense than the guitar fretboard. Forming chords will be awkward at first, but you'll adapt in time. All things considered, I've found mandolin to be easier than guitar.

Are there any decent F-style mandolins out there for 200 - 300 dollars?

No.

I've been doing some searching on Ebay and have come across some Johnson Mandolins in this price range. Does anyone have any experience with these, or are they just cheap knock offs?

They are just cheap knock offs.

Best ways to start learning (videos, books, lessons)?

I think Roland White's Bluegrass Mandolin is an excellent resource for beginners. Probably one of the better instructional books I've found for any instrument.

[Michael H Geimer]

Are there any decent F-style mandolins out there for 200 - 300 dollars?

I went the 'budget route' when I started off. Like you , I was a long time guitar player making the switch. I quickly outgrew my first *two* mandolins before making a *big* upgrade to a Weber.

I then traded in my import-knock-off for a Mid-Missourri mandolin. Do yourself a *big* favor and check the Mid-mo's out. You can often find them around $300 used, and while they're not too fancy visually, they do sound great, play great, and are built to last. A perfect 'starter' that you will never regret owning.

- Benig

[mandonewbie]

Ditto.....What they said!

You're gonna be surprised how easy it is to play....I just switched from guitar to mando a few months ago and I'll never look back.....never knew how much fun it was going to be.....Good Luck To Ya!.

[mandobob]

Yeah as has been said, cheap Fs abound, buyer beware.
I echo MidMo (available with wider necks too), and add my own favorite Breedlove Quartz OO. The Radiused board feels great, and I prefer the oval hole sound.
I'm in the same boat, 25 years of wiggling my fingers on guitar, and the last 4 on mando.
The best advice I recv'd was here at the Cafe; learn the closed chop chords; leave the open string chords for the 'other' guitar player.

[ronlane3]

All the above posts pretty much cover it. Just one small thing to add about the mandolins, "you get what you pay for".

[MandoHobbit]

If you don't have to have a scroll you can get a decent entry level A style for your price range. Don't know about their F styles, but an A style Johnson 120N is a pretty good beginner instrument and seems to be a decent value if you are on a budget. It is all solid woods and sounds pretty good for the price range. I've had a couple of surprised reactions to mine from folks who have had experience with other Johnson models. Maybe since it is a blond finish Johnson takes care to use better woods? It isn't a Gibson (or even a Bean Blossom for that matter) but for what it is it is pretty good.

Be aware, you will outgrow anything in that price range pretty quickly, especially since you already have string experience and don't have to learn how to pick. If you have some extra bucks go ahead and buy an intermediate level intrument. I've had my Johnson for a year and a half and outgrew it some time ago, but just haven't had the funds to upgrade, though I think there is an Eastman in my near future. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[dasspunk]

This is all fine advice...

I would add that it seems pretty common for folks on the cafe to have a similar story. They took a stab at the mando and just fell in love with it. I certainly did.

I bought a Morgan Monroe to test the waters (and actually still have it somewhere) and could NOT put the thing down. I mean really... I ran home to play it every night after work. I've got better mandos (lol notice the plural) now but perhaps you'll not be as fond of mandolin... Looks like you're ready to find out.

[GETanEDGE]

Thanks everyone for the good advice. #I really know very little about Mandolin quality since I have yet to actually sit down and play one. #Since I'm on a budget a think a slightly lesser quality mandolin is more realistic for me. #Then once I learn to tear things up I can go straight to a Gibson:) .

I checked out the Morgan Monroe mandos on the Internet and they seemed to be fairly reasonable...although I guess looks can be very deceiving especially on the Internet. So right now I'm working with Johnson’s, Morgan Monroe's, and Mid Missouri's. Anyone got any other types they'd recommend?

Also I'd like to know the difference in opinion between the A-style vs. the F-style mandolins. Anybody got any input?

Thanks again. I appreciate all the help.

Mark

[mandofiddle]

First I'd recommend to stay away from the Johnsons.

As far as difference in opinion on the A and F style. You'll hear the arguement quite a bit that the scroll is just an expensive strap holder. Especially at a low price point. You could nearly triple your cost (or more) on a low budget mandolin just so you can get the scroll, but in reality end up with a lower quality mandolin. For your first mando, get an A style. Now here's where it gets confusing. You have the opions of an A style with F holes, or an A style with an oval hole. Personally I'd recommend an A with F holes. Especially if you want to play bluegrass.

I'd hold off on getting an F-style (scroll) until your next step or two up in the process. There's a running argument that a well built A style doesn't sound any different than a well built F style (aside from the fact that no two mandolins sound identical anyway). Some big name luthiers around here attest to that theory too, and I know that I personally can't close my eyes and listen to a mandolin playing and know whether its an A or an F.

[fatt-dad]

(shameless plug alert)

Go to www.fatt-dad.com and check out my low to mid-priced mandolins for sale. I will also offer my Aria Pro II F-5 knockoff for $750.00 and give 5 percent of my proceeds to the Plucked String Foundation.

Other than how the looks vary (all are A-model), they all play real well, include the case and also have a strap. There are several in the $200 to $300 range that would be real good for you, with the arched top, f-holes and somewhat suited for a wide variety of music styles.

Good luck in your search.

fatt-dad

[ShaneJ]

Get a good American-made A-style, and get it properly set up. It'll sound better with a good bridge fit and play better with the action adjusted. You'll get a better sound out of an instrument like that than a more expensive mando with a bad bridge fit and set up. You'll also enjoy playing more if it plays easy, so you'll practice more. THEN....you're hooked and will devise all sorts of schemes to justify the BIG purchase of a top-notch F-style to your wife. When you get that part figured out, please post your solution here so some of the rest of us can try it out on our wives. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif