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A fellow lifelong-guitarist who picked up mandolin semi-recently from Ohio says “Hey man.” :)

I’m playing a much nicer instrument than I started on, and can use a lot lower action now. I set it so chop chords don’t sound buzzy. It was .040” the last time I measured it, but I’ve raised it a...

This doesn’t apply so much to mandolin, but on any instrument where you’re bending strings, changing them frequently helps prevent excessive fret wear.

My instrument collection is something I dreamed about as a kid:

2019 Northfield Big Mon
1996 Sparks F-5
19-something Gibson A
1990-something homemade F

1965 Gibson Southern Jumbo

1996...

I don’t think realizing that tone is ever going to happen. Instead, I’m cool with the idea of chasing it, and enjoying all the stops along the way. It’s especially fun to try the things that are in...

I have never tried those, so I probably will. There’s a set of EJ74s to go on next, and I just brought all the records home from my dad’s house. There are a ton of Osborne Brothers albums, so maybe...

No, the 346
...

I think the overwhelming majority of artists are into all sorts of goofy stuff their fans would hate.

Incidentally, Mark, if you haven’t watched Justified, it’s pretty great.

Disclaimer: this doesn’t make me play or sound like Mike. If you’re replying to say, “That won’t make you play like him!,” I’m aware.

I’ve been trying different string and pick combos with my Big...

I have a pick made from a record. It’s thinner than 1.5mm, but sounds and feels awful.

I’ve tried several casein picks now, along with other organic materials, and they all have this weird scratchy tone on the G. I don’t think it’s an issue of the pick not being polished, either. The...

Mike Marshall and Chris Thile “Live Duets” is pretty awesome.

I like trying different strings, so I tend to change them pretty frequently. Add to that, I just got a new mandolin, so I’ll probably go through 3 or 4 sets this month.

Ultimately, I’ve realized casein isn’t my thing. Back to plastic.

$2k is definitely on the high end for the Strat. That’s more like what a Custom Shop model would be priced at. I’d be really surprised if anyone cared about getting the original box. Those Clapton...

I can’t put it down! The only downside is I’m back on crazy pick and string rotation... currently EJ75s and a Wegen TF120.



It sounds a little warmer, right? Nothing wrong with Adirondack, but...

I’ve been trying to get along with a lace or braid, but they’re both extremely uncomfortable. Considering my mandolin would’ve originally cost about $5k, and most of the time I’m using a $35 pick, I...

Hey Drew, you’ll be hearing it on Artistworks soon :) Just saw your video of Mike’s solo, pretty impressive!

I recently parted with my Gibson Doyle Lawson in favor of a 2019 Northfield Big Mon. It’s only been a few days, but it was a good move. I’m anxiously awaiting the report from the DL’s new owner, and...

I started off playing heavy metal and rock guitar, so I’ve been chopping constantly, even before mandolin. Rhythmic muted strumming sounds good to me in pretty much everything.

In addition to what I’ve already stated, my default set is the D’Addario Custom Medium, 11.5, 16, 26, 40. I put these on my new-to-me Northfield Big Mon. I’ll try the EJ75 next to see if the 41 G...

No kidding. Even the wrong notes with good time and feel are preferably to lousy time and no pocket.

I’ve always just move the G and D chop shapes around, but I’ve been watching the Sam Bush rhythm dvd, and getting more into the 224 for A, 223 for Am shapes, and using my pinky to dampen for the...

The Big Mon’s slightly oversized body delivers what they claim. Would be interested to check our the Weber.

Got a Northfield Big Mon a few days ago. I love it.