http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ Strings, picks, tuners, amps, cases, tailpieces, mics, and other equipment related discussions. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:11:56 GMT vBulletin 1 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/ http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56751&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:08:27 GMT here's the deal... my computer has no input to offer me at the moment. I would like to record myself in visual and audio modes so that i can evaluate my ability and my presentation in a more objective light. Can this be done simply with a really good web-cam? I'm thinking that in the future I might like to put this stuff out on You-tube for constructive criticism from the Cafe community. I'd also like to know of any programs that will allow me to "layer" my playing so that I may lay down track upon track... and/or make use of a program that will lay down backing tracks for me. I don't have cash to pay for expensive equipment or programs so I'm looking for the best bang for the buck as they say... any guidance is much appreciated...

Norm ]]> Equipment Norm Buck http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56751 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56742&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:34:26 GMT Can anyone recommend a good capo for the mandolin? Can anyone recommend a good capo for the mandolin? ]]> Equipment Mike Bunting http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56742 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56727&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:55:37 GMT My Dyn-M on my F5 sounds very mid-range-y to me. I've tried moving it around a bit. Maybe I haven't experimented enough yet, but I'm curious where others are positioning theirs. The further from the bridge I stick it, the more nasally it sounds, but even close to the bridge, I need to eq out most of the mids. So, if you use one of these, where's your sweet spot? ]]> Equipment Roger Kunkel http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56727 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56719&goto=newpost Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:56:01 GMT Anyone used this clip-on mic? Is it much different than the original 35?

(I've checked the archives here and couldn't find what I was looking for specifically)

For those that do use clip-on mics, how do you situate the "mic out" piece? Would a separate carpenter jack suffice? ]]> Equipment hawkins.bp http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56719 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56687&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:50:27 GMT I saw Leo Kotke a few weeks ago. He uses very little equipment. I did not see a foot pedal or switch of any kind. Yet he switched between 6- and... I saw Leo Kotke a few weeks ago. He uses very little equipment. I did not see a foot pedal or switch of any kind. Yet he switched between 6- and 12-string just by pulling the cord out of the jack of one and plugging into the other. No noise at all. How's he do that? ]]> Equipment PineGrove99 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56687 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56679&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:20:53 GMT Tuners on my 1916 Gibson A-3 are hard to turn. I measure peg spacing as 15/16", but I find only 29/32" spacing currently available at reasonable cost. Anyone know of a supplier? Any suggestions regarding possible repair? Thanks. ]]> Equipment Nick Carrera http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56679 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56659&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:48:05 GMT DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE A FELLOW MIGHT GET A FLATIRON T-SHIRT, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND 1 THANX STEVE:mandosmiley: DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE A FELLOW MIGHT GET A FLATIRON T-SHIRT, I WOULD LIKE TO FIND 1 THANX STEVE:mandosmiley: ]]> Equipment blugrsr http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56659 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56640&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:16:40 GMT Greetings, I recently bought a pair of Bose Compaion 2 series II speakers for my laptop ($99 at the local computer store). I just have to say... Greetings,

I recently bought a pair of Bose Compaion 2 series II speakers for my laptop ($99 at the local computer store). I just have to say WOW! They sound as good if not better than my big home stereo. This is the 2-speaker set with no subwoofer, but the bass is fantastic. Give them a try if you are considering new speakers for the computer.

I am just about totally off of CDs now. I have all of my music in Itunes on my laptop. Between Itunes, the Amazing Slowdowner and the new rocking Bose speakers my laptop is now my music practice center.

Cheers,

Rob ]]> Equipment RobP http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56640 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56614&goto=newpost Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:03:50 GMT Has anyone tried the L R Baggs Venue? It's a pricey DI box that has a built in tuner, a volume boost pedal and mucho adjustments for sound. It looks great and has stuff I need, but the price- $299 is prohibitive. I have the Baggs Para Acoustic and love it. Is this new box worth all the extra $$$$$? ]]> Equipment Chief http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56614 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56602&goto=newpost Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:08:03 GMT Soundback is the actual name I think, of the device designed for horns like sax and trumpet. Has anyone ever attempted to use one on a mandolin or... Soundback is the actual name I think, of the device designed for horns like sax and trumpet. Has anyone ever attempted to use one on a mandolin or other stringed instrument. It is a clear peice of plastic that encircles the mic that you would be playing into. Supposed to reflect the sound band and reduce feedback as well. They are marketed to horn players, I did not see any reviews at all on any websites. You can google them. I think it is http:www.soundback.com

but I'm not sure. Thanks. Glenn Hurley ]]> Equipment HurleyRidge http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56602 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56593&goto=newpost Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:16:49 GMT I have two scenarios regarding balanced signals that I'm unsure about...

My Digitech Jamman has a mic input...with only a 1/4 inch output...therefore, despite the balanced input there is no longer a balanced signal right?

In an alternate situation, if you connect a microphone with a cable that contains an "xlr in" and a "1/4 out" then it too is an unbalanced signal. Correct? ]]> Equipment hawkins.bp http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56593 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56581&goto=newpost Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:56:16 GMT Inspired by another thread.

Anything out there that's recommended for the 2-pointers?

I like the Travelite cases, but they specifically state for "F" style mandolins. ]]> Equipment LKN2MYIS http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56581 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56537&goto=newpost Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:28:10 GMT Much to my wife's consternation, I am getting a new mando soon. I am looking at getting a gig-bag. Can you folks recommend something nice? ]]> Equipment Travis Wilson http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56537 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56524&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:18:43 GMT I'm in the process of pulling the trigger on a D hole Weber Octar and am interested in having a pickup system installed on it that will maintain the inherent characteristics of the acoustic sound.

I am not a big fan of piezos alone. I do tend to like K&K and LR Baggs products. I was wondering if, given that this is an archtop, guitar bodied, D hole instrument, a K&K Trinity Mini or Trinity Classic might work well.

I've got the good folks at the Mandolin Store researching options but would love to pick the mighty brains of Cafe members. Any thoughts out there in Cafe land on this topic? (I realize there may be Cafe folks who will want to tell me to use a good mic and forget about the PU. Consider that message as already in play in my head. I really just want to hear from those who have PU recommendations.)

Barb ]]> Equipment Barb Friedland http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56524 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56510&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:39:57 GMT I'm still fairly new to the mandolin and I keep running into the problem of my E strings breaking. Today I was tuning it and it broke. I had hardly moved the tuning key for the E string and it snapped! If I had turned it too far (which I don't think I did) I'm pretty certain it wasn't by much. Why did it break so easily? Durn thing snapped and poked an itty bitty hole in me hand!

Another related question - Should I change all my strings. I just changed them a couple months ago and haven't used my mandolin excessively. ]]> Equipment Wiles http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56510 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56493&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:18:07 GMT I'd like to hear from folk who have invested in a Weber Octar- what you like about it and anything you don't like. The sound of these instruments is intriguing to me. ]]> Equipment Barb Friedland http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56493 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56489&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:18:45 GMT What is the difference in tone between the X brace system and the tone bar bracing? I have noticed Gibson uses a tone bar on the Nashville Flatirons... What is the difference in tone between the X brace system and the tone bar bracing? I have noticed Gibson uses a tone bar on the Nashville Flatirons while the Montana built Flatirons have a cross brace. Thanks, Bruce. ]]> Equipment photoinmaine http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56489 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56488&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:11:02 GMT Just wondering when Gibson switched to a thinner neck on they're A series mandolins. I have had a couple of 1930s A models but found the neck to chunky. Also The neck meets the body on the 10th fret. I would like to purchase a vintage A with a thinner neck and a 12 fret range. Any suggestions? Thanks, Bruce. ]]> Equipment photoinmaine http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56488 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56486&goto=newpost Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:17:30 GMT Hi everybody! I recently bought this mandolin on ebay us Image: http://nsa10.casimages.com/img/2009/11/11/mini_091111121740691242.jpg ... Hi everybody!

I recently bought this mandolin on ebay us


I was wondering if the stimer micro made by Maurice Dupont for guitar could be work on my mando?
If not, what could i use to amplify my instrument?

Thank you ]]> Equipment frenchmando http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56486 http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56439&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:58:43 GMT I've just installed onto three different acoustic guitars K&K's Pure Mini pickups and have been extremely impressed by the natural acoustic sound I'm getting out of them.

I'm curious about installing one onto my mandolin as well, but haven't been very successful finding a sound clip of a mando with one installed. Do any of you who have one have an MP3 you could post? Or perhaps there's a hidden website with a bunch of sound files already posted?

Thanks! ]]> Equipment rb3wreath http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56439