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Just a heads up for fans of Primetone picks--it looks like they now come in 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mm.

I hunch over my mandolin so I don't hear people asking me stupid questions.

It is technically illegal to use a manufacturer's registered trademark without the manufacturer's permission. It is also against eBay rules to misrepresent an item for sale -- saying it's a Gibson...

Basically, NO. But read their guidelines. You can say F-5 copy, but not Gibson F-5 copy -- that type of thing. Certain brands such as Rickenbacker fiercely patrol eBay for copies/fakes/clones and...

You can always try the ''Holistic Mandolin Refinery'' method. It's very subtle in it's approach & can yeild excellent results for a good '' chopping '' tone,
...

Finish system is very important, however, none of the mandolins I know of use much of a system. Just stain/sealer/clearish stuff.

On the other hand, tearing off the old finish is good for the...

Regarding nitro vs poly finish, I'd also add that a typical poly finish is harder and less brittle than nitro. Hardness of the finish also makes a difference in tone and volume.

This isn't to say...

As mentions a couple of times, what would your luthier think of trying a Cumberland bridge if strings do not make a difference. Have you experimented with pics, if not you might try the pic sampler? ...

Absolutely everything is a factor in the final tone of an instrument. Even on a Telecaster. Wood species of the body/top/fretboard, finish be it poly/nitro/whatnot, strings, type of glue used,...

Nitro vs poly finishes is a frequently debated topic in the electric guitar world. One writer mentioned how even if a "thick" poly finish was choking the tone, it seemed more likely that the belly...

I am in the camp that too much emphasis is put on finish. Is it a factor? yes. A main factor? Not so much. Of course a poly finish that looks like it was dipped instead of sprayed is obviously going...

If you already love the tone sanding down the finish will alter that. It's 6 of one or half a dozen of the other!

Really depends on the thickness of the finish. Woodiness doesn't come from taking the lacquer off. If then woody tone is there you'll hear it.

My suggestion is to go through everything else first. Lots of times the instrument is fighting itself in other ways. Finish is down the list quite a bit.

Oh yeh, it'll help but if its a vintage piece, I'd take off the back and work the top from the inside.

The finish can make a big difference. I've restored a couple of cheap mandolins that seemed to have around a 1mm thick lacquer finish and sanded and refinished them in Tru-Oil. The difference and...

What make is the mandolin ?. There have been a few folks who've posted in the ''builder's section'' on here regarding totally stripping the finish of their (usually) mid-priced mandolins, & achieving...

Hey all,

I just wanted to give a review of my recent experience with Stephen Perry and his Mandovoodoo and setup services.
First I will say that Steve and Becky were a joy to communicate with....

There is no mandolin content here, but anyone with an appreciation of the power of music is likely to be touched by this movie. Just watched it on Netflix last night and highly recommend it. Here's a...

"Tune That Mandolin, Son"

This was posted on the Jaybirds facebook page. Very nice.

John Reischman, Trisha Gagnon, Eli West, Rachel Capon, Miriam Sonstenes and Trent Freeman. String arrangement by Trent Freeman.
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Hey Chanmandolin, Like Robert said, go ahead and give us a call! I can walk you through the whole thing. Easy-Peasy! If possible, have your mandolin and a measuring device with you. If I can get a...

This will absolutely be mandolin specific. Even the same model mandolin will have some variations in neck angle and the arch on the top.

In general, you can order a standard flat, gapped bridge...

Give them a call. They are great to work with - (877) 857-4896

They are not all created equal.
I had a Trinity College Bouzouki that had a plastic "inlayed" overlay. I took a hot iron and a sheet of steel and it slipped right off, revealing the plain mahogany...