New mandolin

[Karl.R]

Hi all, just got me a new mandolin, never picked one up before & goodness knows why i wanted to, but hear i am.
It's an Epiphone mm 30 e. Did i make a good:mandosmiley choise ?
& would fitting lighter strings help.
PS: when do your fingers stop hurting & start to bend in the direction you want them to go.
Hears hoping i learn fast before them next door call in the cops.

[billkilpatrick]

welcome karl -

yes, an MM-30 is a good choice for an entry (beginner) mandolin - i've got one and it serves me well.

be sure to look at the "mandolin lessons" section of the home page - ted eschliman's "Four Finger closed Position" in particular. it's difficult to do at first but it will help you soooo ... much later on.

... re: when fingers stop hurting and they go where you want them to go ...

- bill

[Mattg]

Would lighter strings help what? To crank more sound out of a mando, I think heavier strings and a thicker pick helps. To nurse your sore finger tips, yes lighter strings do help. Be patient, callouses will form faster than you think. Enjoy your new journey!!!!!

[Jkf_Alone]

Epiphones are fine starter instruments. If your strings are too hard to push down, you should probably have the mandolin set up.

A good setup is critical to your mandolin playing well. Depending on where you bought your instrument, it may have received a full set up, or none at all. I do most of my own set up work, but if you are new to stringed instruments, you may want to have a professional look at it. Don't be intimidated because your instrument is inexpensive, or you didn't buy at a local shop. just ask to have the action lowered and the intonation set. Most places charge from $30 to $60 for this. If you want to do this yourself, http://www.frets.com has pretty decent instructions for setting up instruments. http://www.musicmoose.org has some video lessons about care and maintenence of mandolins that you may want to check out as well.

You will also want to have them put a new set of strings on when they do the setup, as tensions vary between string sets.


Final Tip: put some leather in between the strings behind the nut and next to the tailpiece, to cut down on overtones and make your mandolin sound "drier".