Any info about this instrument

[newbie1961]

My son picked up a used mando at a local "pickin parlor". Looks nice and seems to play well, just can't find any info on it. It's marked as a Rosler, made in China, Model on the inside label reads RM-50, i think (it's handwritten, not printed.

Thanks for any info.

[clarksavage]

Not much of an answer, but possibly a clue .... the "RM" designation is also used for the "Rogue" branded mandolins that are popular in the lower price range. Go look around at some of them to compare looks and features, you might find a match.

Clark

[Ron Hale]

It's likely a Rover RM 50. The fancy inlay script on the headstock could be interpreted as Rosler. Nice, inexpensive solid wood instrument. The Rovers are generally held in high regard here on the Cafe, particularly by those of us who own one (or more). Here is some info from Saga Music. (http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=RM-50)
Ronnie

[newbie1961]

Thanks, I followed the link, it is def. a Rover RM-50. He paid a bit much for it, as he could buy a new one for not much more than he paid, but his is in nearly perfect condition. Glad to hear it's a decent instrument. Thanks again for all the help. Since he's at college, maybe I'll learn to play it. I'm a lefty, can I just reverse the bridge and restring it as a lefty?

[bennyb]

Howdy newbie,
I'm a righty, so you may wait for the usual lefties to give you the fine particulars, but you're gonna swap the strings, nut, and bridge. The strings - obvious; a new nut is required - no way around it; only the bridge saddle needs replaced(a simple reversal won't suffice).

The old nut needs to be removed(and saved); then, the new nut fit to the neck and slots appropriately sized for the strings filed down to provide low action.

The bridge base could be left in place, and a new lefty saddle with correct intonation set on it. Good luck with that. More likely, you get a new lefty bridge and fit it anew to the mandolin top.

It'll be either money or time. This may not be the right mando to spend the money on.

Good luck, benny

[MikeEdgerton]

You'll also find that the dots on the side of the fretboard will be on the bottom instead of the top. Beyond that the new nut and saddle will allow you to play it left handed.

[newbie1961]

Thanks, all. Maybe I'll just convert. I've never played a stringed instrument before, so I'll just have to train my hands to think backwards!

[Ron Hale]

There are many lefties who play right-handed instruments, just as is. That is, learn to play it "upside down and backwards"! It really shouldn't matter, since you have no experience and will be training your movements, fingerings, etc from the start, just like everyone else. I'm referring to the reflex actions / movements you eventually develop. The advantage is you will be able to play any right-handed instrument, which there are many more of than left-handed. If you are the least bit ambidextrous you may be able to just learn to play it right-handed straight up.
Famed Builder Audie Ratliff, although left-handed, also plays a right-hand strung instrument as seen in this video. (http://www.youtube.com/aratmando)

[onassis]

The most obvious drawback that I can see to playing lefty with a righty strung mando is that it makes it difficult to use tab. But, then, I guess if you're starting at zero, you could just learn to read tab upside down. Or just bypass tab and use notation.

[newbie1961]

I've searched and can't find any reference anywhere to left handed mandos, bridges, or other parts. Looks like I'm teaching myself to play righty, starting this morning!! Thanks for all the info, folks!!

[Paul Hostetter]

Mandolin is an instrument that really needn't be restrung or set up lefty. If you have to aim the neck the opposite way, just play a normal instrument and avoid a LOT of angst down the line.

Here's a terrific mandolin player who has played right-handed instruments left-handed all his life, no problem:

http://www.lutherie.net/crumb.y.cravic.jpg

http://www.lutherie.net/crumb.banjo.jpg

[mrmando]

Famed Builder Audie Ratliff, although left-handed, also plays a right-hand strung instrument as seen in this video. (http://www.youtube.com/aratmando)
Well, he plays it both ways, which is impressive, but he's clearly more comfortable playing it strung lefty.