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I think we need a Saturday Morning show - this old instrument ( like this old house) where a bunch of old luthiers show younger guys how to do it rights, probably have to adapt to non thick Boston...

I just got off the phone with Bruce Weber about a mandolin issue that had nothing to do with any of his mandolins. It was a mandolin from another maker that had an issue. By the way, I do have a...

I remember when Jethro did the workshop here in Duluth years ago he was playing a Gibson F5 (not sure what model) and when he was talking about mandolins and what to look for he pointed to his F5 and...

I was one of the lucky winners of the Stringjoy mandolin string giveaway a couple weeks ago.
I chose the coated Foxwood 11-40s to try out. My favorite strings of the past were Daddario EXLs,...

If you need the preamp it will have to go first. After that it doesn't make as much difference.

Heart of the Heartland is one of my favorite tunes.
Peter Ostroushko wrote so many beautiful tunes!
We started to play it in our band recently.
I have just made a video of it.

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what I dig about Aaron's playing and teaching is he puts so many possibilities on display, both musically and mandolinistically. For instance:

there's more than one way to play any given chord
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Not an EQ pedal as such, but the Fishman Platinum Stage has a 3-band EQ with sweepable mids. I turn the bass right down (nothing there but noise on a mandolin), then put the mid freq at "quarter to...

I have an old Fishman Platinum Pro EQ and I think it works well but dont have anything to compare it to. It is a 3 band EQ with extra refinement on the middle band. My pick up is a piezo like the K&K...

I agree with Nathan 100%. I use the GE-7 constantly at every gig and every rehearsal. I use a gentle smile curve, cut the mids bosst the highs and lows. I leave the level slider on 0, but you can...

I've found the Boss GE-7 seven band EQ pedal to be very helpful on my electric, specifically boosting that weak E string. I imagine it would do the trick for your situation as well.

If this has already been posted then I’m sorry. If not, then I am not sorry.
This is mando goodness...

https://youtu.be/OC2Cr1d6Y60

Man... divorce. It can be such a tough process.

I'm waiting to hear if Steve's management is okay with me posting a clip here. In the meantime, here's a transcription of the segment during which...

Well, there are collectibles and then there are collectibles. I have no comment on the price (although surely someone else will), but go find another one of these! Don't know if this was actually...

It is simply a quick explanation of how moving the closed pattern up or down the neck will give you a different scale. By lowering the first finger to the 4th fret and starting on the B...

I've had a tonegard on my varnished Gilchrist for years and years with nary a trace on the finish. Also the '23 Gibson A2.

Billy

I've had one on a varnished Gibson F5 - for more than 15 years, I guess - no damage. And it stays on all of the time - in the case, on the stand, etc.
I only take it off every 2-3 years to change...

I used to play a lot with Lloyd LaPlant, who is a great builder and almost 100 now. He talked about this often, namely that his fingers just didn't do what they used to do anymore. To adjust he and...

I had a blast studying Tony Rice's playing and hopefully was able to share a small insight into what he does. I realized I didn't have a name for that series and I thought that should change for the...

MP3 of the Day

From the Mandolin Cafe MP3 Library.

Song title: Waltz of the Dreams
By: Waltz of the Dreams by Magnus Zetterlund from the album Magnuz Zetterlund
...

Hi everyone!

Yesterday was the anniversary of Peter Ostroushko's passing and I just wanted to post today in memory of him and his music. If you are looking for beautiful music to inspire you...

I've always considered the version recorded on Tony Rice's Manzanita to be the gold standard by which all others are compared.

Morning, Y'all!

I had to share the excitement from this morning's unboxing of Maddy's brand spanking new Ratliff Mandolin. The UPS guy didn't show up until after bedtime last night so she woke up...

Lloyd calls them "Lloyds lumps"

Here is my pair, both built by Hans Brentrup: a 2003 M21V and a 2007 23V (natural top w/blackburst back & sides).
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