I've gone from using 1.5mm Gold series gravity picks to Fender Thins (somewhere around 0.5mm?). I prefer the brightness from the thinner pick, though I am playing mostly folk/Irish trad.
Type: Posts; User: Kalasinar
I've gone from using 1.5mm Gold series gravity picks to Fender Thins (somewhere around 0.5mm?). I prefer the brightness from the thinner pick, though I am playing mostly folk/Irish trad.
I only recently picked up my 'high end' mandolin. I wanted it because it was my ideal mandolin for a long time and in Summer last year I realised I could afford it. As my teacher and a wise friend...
That's gorgeous Rob, congrats. I distinctly remember seeing that one on his page as it has that extra sound hole on the side. Very nice!
Gelsenbury: Thanks! Funnily enough my friend and I went to Hobgoblin in Canterbury the day before we travelled to Somerset. Because my friend wanted to try as many bouzoukis as possible, I got some...
I can't comment from a luthier's point of view, but I'm a professional maker of ceramic vessel flutes (transverse ocarinas) and a lot of the research and development process is essentially the same....
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. This mandolin, aside from being everything I wanted, is a great incentive to always be better. I've hardly put it down since I brought it home. And the way it...
Gunnar: maybe when I'm a better player. I need to be worthy of this fine instrument first I think!
CES: thanks! I doubt I'll ever get a custom build again so with Paul's and my teacher's sound...
That's a great drawing Caleb, love the vivid contrast. Pencil or charcoal? Do you still draw? I draw, sculpt and work with ceramics though I find I get less and less time for it all these days.
Sorry to hear about your crash DocT. I'm a biker too and the fact that the car driver didn't stop is despicable. I don't know where you are located but here in the UK with all the hot weather there...
Hi Rob! I'm glad you're on the forum, thankyou so much for loaning your Axe Bouzouki for my friend to try. I don't play but as he was following my mandolin build and knew Paul also made bouzoukis, he...
It's been a very long time since I posted here but I feel I owe Paul a shout out here for the excellent mandolin he recently built for me.
I've been taking lessons since March 2018 and have been...
I think the best advice has already been given - get the best instrument that you can afford and you will be well served.
I started out on a cheap Tanglewood oval hole A-style for £80. I think...
Down in the South East we didn’t get hit so bad as the rest of the country. Thursday and Friday were the worst days. I was working but with the ice and snow on Friday I got sent home early. I spent...
I second that. The Gravity Gold Tripp XL I have is my personal favourite. Great sound and volume, and less pick noise than my BC.
As for obtaining Blue Chip Picks, I jumped on an offer they had...
On my Eastman MD504 I’ve found I like LSB 250 GHS Silk and Bronze the most, which are 11-16-26-40. On my Weber I am in the process of experimenting. When I obtained it it had 80/20 bronze strings...
The Hawk SB pick is definitely a nice pick. It’s among my favourites which I rotate according to what sound I’m going for!
+1 for a flat top. I only got to try one recently by chance. And I was so blown away by the volume, sustain and tone that I bought it. That was a Weber Aspen, which is quite unique in looks with its...
I’m late to this thread but congratulations on your Y2K. I recently acquired a Weber Aspen I which is similar. Totally blown away by the tone, sustain and volume.
Looking at the photos you posted...
Nice one! I got plain ebony too and it suits the Eastman very nicely. Though at the moment I’ve moved it to my (new to me) Weber which luckily fits! Got my ebony CA armrest on the Eastman now.
If...
As Chris said, best to measure as handmade instruments will vary slightly. When I got my McClung I measured my Eastman MD504 at just under 1.75” (44mm). You just want the measurement from the rim...
I have always loved the mandolin as an instrument but never considered playing it myself. I got into it accidentally. At a very young age I was introduced to the recorder at school, and I really...
I had trouble getting a case for my Eastman MD504...tried the lightweight Gator case which didn't fit it. Also asked some suppliers about the TKL before buying and they confirmed that the Eastman...
Excellent! I’m taking a trip to Canterbury Hobgoblin tomorrow to try some mandolins. I must say, since following your adventure getting one I’ve been rather interested to try a Hathway. I’ve always...
Certainly. A towel is cheap, readily available, and takes less time!
Upholstery foam worked for me. It is pretty ugly but I hid that with crushed velvet. I keep the foam in place with Velcro tabs (the softer side attached to the case, the rough side on the foam...