Re: Want to play Mandolin - Please suggest an easy playing Mandol
Starting out on the mandolin, your fingertips will hurt. Heck, your finger muscles may ache a bit too if you are not used to holding down strings and such - it's muscle that you may not be using right now. Don't give up 'cause you get blisters, aches or other annoyances. We've all had to deal with them.
Even if you are a guitar player you may find that the guitar callosus don't line up with the callosuses you need for the mandolin.
Set up makes a difference for sure. Big issue is setup at the nut. Setup at the bridge can be adjusted using the thumb screws - it's easy. Bad action at the nut is just terrible. So, a retailer that knows how to make the nut right is key.
What sort of music do you imagine playing on the mandolin? Are you driven by the mandolin styles of somebody in particular? Are you thinking when you get some skill you'll want it to have a pickup?
I honestly don't like the thin tone of a cheap starter mandolin. Yeah, they are good for learning and when setup properly will be a good tool for practice. Learning though usually requires playing with other folks. Action too low (at the bridge) can take away volumn, mostly 'cause you can't attack the strings with enough vigor and avoid buzzing.
Consider looking at Big Muddy mandolins. Used from a motivated seller you may be in the $300 to $400 range, but they cost more new (maybe like $600). Flat top mandolins have a great sound that's pretty versatile.
Good luck and have fun.
f-d
ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
'20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A
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