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Thread: a resonator mandolin as a "first" mandolin?

  1. #26
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: a resonator mandolin as a "first" mandolin?

    Yep not enough space
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  3. #27

    Default Re: a resonator mandolin as a "first" mandolin?

    I'm just playing up the neck for the first time. "Great intonation" is not a term I would use. As a first mandolin, it will work. If this was my first instrument, I would just give up and go read a book.

  4. #28
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    Default Re: a resonator mandolin as a "first" mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Well: the Johnson's $160, a used National RM-1 would go for about ten times that price. There's an "apples and oranges" factor there. I have a Johnson resonator ukulele, and the adjective "serviceable" comes to mind when I pull it out to play; I had a Johnson tri-cone resonator guitar -- for about a year -- then traded it in on a DeNeve "Dobro," because it really didn't cut the mustard, IMHO. I wish Cornfield the best, and hope the experience with the Johnson mandolin is rewarding and musically expansive. But I wouldn't really compare it with the National.
    Didn't intend to compare Johnson with National, nor suggest that he should get a RM-1, just relaying that I don't think it's a problem for his only mandolin to be a reso. Agree the 2 brands are completely different. Ironically, I've heard some people say the newer Nationals don't sound "nasty" or "brash" enough for blues.
    Chuck

  5. #29
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    Default Re: a resonator mandolin as a "first" mandolin?

    Quote Originally Posted by Cornfield View Post
    I've had and sold a couple National guitars, a Pear shaped tenor tri-cone that I foolishly sold before learning how to deal with the narrow nut and a Reso-Rocket. I've also had an array of resonator ukuleles. My experience showed me that National cones are certainly superior.
    This Johnson actually has a better sound than I was anticipating. It is still a CHEAP instrument in several ways and will never be a National. It is, however, a way for me to get started on playing mandolin.
    If I go on and acquire a better mando, it will probably not be a resonator.
    Just play the snot out of it and enjoy!
    Chuck

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  7. #30
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
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    Default Re: a resonator mandolin as a "first" mandolin?

    Resonator Mandolins are rather heavy so for kids I'd have them play the instrument seated. Also instead of using heavier gauge strings they extended the scale length by 2 extra inches from 13 inches to 15 inches making it somewhere in between a Mandolin in a Mandola. That means I'd suggest tuning the thing down a few steps like maybe a Minor third below G, D, A, E which would be E, B, F#, C# like what the great Yank Rachell used.

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