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Thread: Gibson A-9

  1. #1
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    Default Gibson A-9

    So my Gibson A-9 came in today and I have been messing with it. Tuning was very easy for me - similar to that of a violin. So today begins my day of a lot of practicing.
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  3. #2
    Registered User Dave Weiss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Nice! Not quite a Big Muddy , but nice. That could keep you happy for a long time.
    >>>===> Dave

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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Weiss View Post
    Nice! Not quite a Big Muddy , but nice. That could keep you happy for a long time.
    Big Muddy can come along later.. In two years. LOL! Maybe even less.

  5. #4
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Very nice. Thats a great mando, especially for a starter. And I think a very smart one for a musician of another stringed instrument to start with.
    No matter where I go, there I am...Unless I'm running a little late.

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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by Astro View Post
    Very nice. Thats a great mando, especially for a starter. And I think a very smart one for a musician of another stringed instrument to start with.
    I was messing around with it today and figured out how to play Hot Cross Buns. I was also able to do Twinkle, Twinkle little Star. I find that an accomplishment on my first day.

  7. #6
    Constantly In Search Of.. Michael Bridges's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Congrats! Very nice mando, I really have a soft spot for the A9 & F9 Gibsons. Just great, no-frills instruments, with a lot of mojo. Good luck, and enjoy your journey!
    Music speaks to us all. And to each of us, she speaks with a different voice.

    J Bovier A5 Tradition

  8. #7

    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by BridalWreath View Post
    I was messing around with it today and figured out how to play Hot Cross Buns. I was also able to do Twinkle, Twinkle little Star. I find that an accomplishment on my first day.
    That's the way to start, picking out simple tunes. Now try Happy Birthday and the theme for the Three Stooges (Three Blind Mice). An awful lot of BG/folk tunes have melodies that are easy to pick out, and the more you do it the easier it gets and you'll find that there are lots of repeating motifs. Some of the prettiest are some off the simplest too.

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    sgrexa 

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    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by BridalWreath View Post
    So my Gibson A-9 came in today and I have been messing with it. Tuning was very easy for me - similar to that of a violin. So today begins my day of a lot of practicing.
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    You have chosen wisely!
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    I've been practicing a lot and my fingertips are hurting. I am still trying to get used to a lot of the strings as well as the amount of pressure needed to get a note. It is worse on the first few fingerings of A and E - mainly E.

  12. #10
    F5G & MD305 Astro's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Yeah, that first E on the first and second frets sucks at first. Have someone in the know make sure your nut slots are cut right but even when they are the E up there is a toughie. You'll get through it.
    No matter where I go, there I am...Unless I'm running a little late.

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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by Astro View Post
    Yeah, that first E on the first and second frets sucks at first. Have someone in the know make sure your nut slots are cut right but even when they are the E up there is a toughie. You'll get through it.
    I'm getting better with the E now. Also the G string I am getting better with - especially with stretching my fingers.

  14. #12
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel View Post
    You have chosen wisely!
    +1: Wisely chosen, have you indeed! - Mando Yoda...
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
    "If you wanna get soul Baby, you gots to get the scroll..."
    "I would rather play music anyday for the beggar, the thief, and the fool!"
    "Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" Vince Lombardi
    Playing Style: RockMonRoll Desperado Bluegrass Desperado YT Channel

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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    I've been practicing everyday and my fingers are getting used to the strings. I am able to play longer, I have noticed.

  17. #14
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Keep at it...you'll get there! As you well know being a fiddle player.

    It will be fun when you're able to cart both your mando & fiddle to a jam and play both!
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
    "If you wanna get soul Baby, you gots to get the scroll..."
    "I would rather play music anyday for the beggar, the thief, and the fool!"
    "Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" Vince Lombardi
    Playing Style: RockMonRoll Desperado Bluegrass Desperado YT Channel

  18. #15
    Loarcutus of MandoBorg DataNick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Manda,

    There's a guy on the cafe, dasspunk (Brian Ray), who is a heck of a Monroe style player. He is in Wisconsin. Don't know where but you might want to PM him and try to connect.
    1994 Gibson F5L - Weber signed


    "Mandolin brands are a guide, not gospel! I don't drink koolaid and that Emperor is naked!"
    "If you wanna get soul Baby, you gots to get the scroll..."
    "I would rather play music anyday for the beggar, the thief, and the fool!"
    "Perfection is not attainable; but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence" Vince Lombardi
    Playing Style: RockMonRoll Desperado Bluegrass Desperado YT Channel

  19. #16
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Bridal wreath i used to own that mando. I've owned a lot of mandos and that was my all time favorite. Plays great, projects really well( better than several higher end gibsons I've played) nice little bark and very woody without being tinny. Regretted ever parting with her! You've fell into a great one if you don't know it already. I put the finger rub on her. Sorry. Bad habit. Lol. Enjoy!

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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by backwoodsborn10 View Post
    Bridal wreath i used to own that mando. I've owned a lot of mandos and that was my all time favorite. Plays great, projects really well( better than several higher end gibsons I've played) nice little bark and very woody without being tinny. Regretted ever parting with her! You've fell into a great one if you don't know it already. I put the finger rub on her. Sorry. Bad habit. Lol. Enjoy!
    Sorry for taking so long on responding to this, I ended up getting ill. D:

    Backwoods, it is a very beautiful instrument and plays well. It was also very easy for me to tune. As for the wear, it happens and I am noticing that (maybe it is because I played the violin) that I do not rest my hands on the instrument to strum. So, I believe that is a plus!

    I also had my first lesson today and when I pulled out my mando, the teacher looked at it with this large smile on his face. I think he was in awe over it.

    I also learned my first three cords today and was given a sheet on some more cords. So, I am going to practice it to get them down. I also get to pick out songs I want to learn to play. I am going to look up easier songs first (I have a couple in mind) and once I do that, get a bit more advanced.

    Thank you all for the support!

    Oh and DataNick, thank you for the advice! I shall see if I can get ahold of him as well.

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  22. #18
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    What a great adventure you are in for.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  23. #19
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    Default Re: Gibson A-9

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    What a great adventure you are in for.
    Thanks. :D I was struggling with the simple chords for a bit but once I started playing them, I caught on rather quickly. I am able to play them in a song.. slowly, but still.

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