"Mandolin Hacks"

[MandoNina]

There are a lot of different musical hacks out there. And some actually work quite well.
With the help of the Cafe maybe we could make a list of mandolin hacks.

I figured I’d start us of with a couple that I’ve used for guitar and that works for mandolin as well, and a couple that I’ve heard about but haven’t tried;

1. Capo made out of a pencil and a rubber band
2. Pick out of an old credit card
3. DIY mandolin strap
4. Orange peal in zipper bags with holes as mandolin case humidifier
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.


Does anyone have any thoughts on the aforementioned hacks or a potential mandolin hack themselves to add to the list?

[Roger Moss]

1- the little plastic dingus that closes a bag of bread can be used as a pick in a pinch.
2- half an apple in a half closed plastic bag can be used as a case humidifier (don't let it touch the mandolin.)
3- a long bootlace makes a faitly usable strap.
That's all I got.

[MikeZito]

Whew! When I saw the thread title of 'Mandolin Hacks', I thought my name was going to show up in HUGE letters across the screen.

Anyhow - not too much to add to the above . . .

A playing card from a deck of cards can make a decent 'light' pick
I use tin Sucrets boxes to hold picks in the storage compartment of my guitar/mandolin cases.

In the studio:
I once used a screwdriver as a dobro slide for a recording session.
I used two screwdrivers banged together as a distinctive 'clave' sound, on the same above recording.
I once saw a pedal steel player use a pencil as a mute to get a banjo sound at a recording session.

I'm sure the list can can pretty expansive . . . it will be interesting to read.

[Zach Wilson]

Stuff/rolled up socks as case filler.

Large photo easel for and instrument stand.

Clothes pins to hold sheet music down (especially handy for outdoor events).

Pencil lead/graphite for nut lubricant.

[Ranald]

Coin for a pick.

[jaycat]

Does using a mandolin as a canoe paddle count?

[MikeZito]

Does using a mandolin as a canoe paddle count?

No - but using a canoe paddle as a mandolin would!

[MikeEdgerton]

Does using a mandolin as a canoe paddle count?

You never know when you'll find yourself up that well known creek without a paddle. I say yes.

[MontanaMatt]

Stuff/rolled up socks as case filler.

What are you trying to prove!? LOL!

- - - Updated - - -

Sponge in a travel soap dish with holes for humidifier.

[foldedpath]

There are a lot of different musical hacks out there. And some actually work quite well.
With the help of the Cafe maybe we could make a list of mandolin hacks.

I figured I’d start us of with a couple that I’ve used for guitar and that works for mandolin as well, and a couple that I’ve heard about but haven’t tried;

1. Capo made out of a pencil and a rubber band
2. Pick out of an old credit card
3. DIY mandolin strap
4. Orange peal in zipper bags with holes as mandolin case humidifier
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.


Does anyone have any thoughts on the aforementioned hacks or a potential mandolin hack themselves to add to the list?

Okay, I'm going to be "that guy" here. Three of those aren't "hacks," they're just bad advice.

Don't use a capo on mandolin, unless you're working with a singer in odd keys and haven't got the full fretboard down yet. If you look at mandolin like a fretted fiddle instead of a guitar, then the clouds will break through with a shaft of light and a chorus of angels, and you'll realize it isn't a baby guitar.

If you think a credit card is a good pick, you haven't tried the good ones.

Okay, make your own strap, fine.

Orange peel in a zipper bag... seriously? Humidity control is important for acoustic instruments. Don't rely on a case humidifier, especially something ad-hoc like this. Get a decent meter so you know what your situation is, then humidify your house, or at least your music room.

My "hack" for mandolin is just to find the genre of music you like, or several, and play the snot out of your instrument until you sound good in that genre. There are no shortcuts or hacks.

Sorry if that sounded a bit grumpy. I'm turning into a curmudgeon in my old age. Use whatever you find useful, and play on!

[Zach Wilson]

What are you trying to prove!? LOL!

What does that mean? I'm not proving anything. See sometimes your mandolin bounces around a bit in its case so you have to fill all the void areas with soft things like socks. It works for me.

[Zach Wilson]

Okay, I'm going to be "that guy" here. Three of those aren't "hacks," they're just bad advice.

Don't use a capo on mandolin, unless you're working with a singer in odd keys and haven't got the full fretboard down yet. If you look at mandolin like a fretted fiddle instead of a guitar, then the clouds will break through with a shaft of light and a chorus of angels, and you'll realize it isn't a baby guitar.

If you think a credit card is a good pick, you haven't tried the good ones.

Okay, make your own strap, fine.

Orange peel in a zipper bag... seriously? Humidity control is important for acoustic instruments. Don't rely on a case humidifier, especially something ad-hoc like this. Get a decent meter so you know what your situation is, then humidify your house, or at least your music room.

My "hack" for mandolin is just to find the genre of music you like, or several, and play the snot out of your instrument until you sound good in that genre. There are no shortcuts or hacks.

Sorry if that sounded a bit grumpy. I'm turning into a curmudgeon in my old age. Use whatever you find useful, and play on!

Wow, buzz kill much?

[LadysSolo]

I use picks made from credit cards/insurance cards when I am somewhere that I might lose a pick, and wouldn't mind losing one I had made. I use my Blue Chips at home where I won't lose them. No I don't think they are great picks, I think homemade picks are disposable!

[foldedpath]

Wow, buzz kill much?

Do you want useful advice about playing mandolin, or "hacks" that sound easy? No disrespect to the OP, we're all looking for good advice here, I was just being honest and responding from experience. YMMV

[G7MOF]

The little plastic dingus that closes a bag of bread can be used as a strap lock.

[JH Murray]

An O ring that is used in a faucet makes a great strap lock. Do buy one new at the hardware store though. Your spouse will not be happy if you take it from the kitchen faucet.

[Roger Moss]

What does that mean? I'm not proving anything. See sometimes your mandolin bounces around a bit in its case so you have to fill all the void areas with soft things like socks. It works for me.

Let's see if I can explain this gracefully. He's making a joke about people who stuff their...uh...trousers to appear more well...err...ummm..."endowed."

[Bertram Henze]

Every joke has an intended and therefore limited audience. Widening that circle by explaining the joke kills both

The shoulder belt of a ladies' handbag makes a decent strap.

Saliva makes a short-term antidote against pick slippage.

A sharp pick can clean your fingernails.

[Roger Moss]

Every joke has an intended and therefore limited audience. Widening that circle by explaining the joke kills both .

The person who posted seemed insulted because he misinterpreted the response. My indelicate response was intended for him alone.

[Denny Gies]

Cut off the top 10 inches of a sock, put your hand into it and slide it up to your forearm. Instant "arm rest" and it keeps your skin from effecting the finish.

[MikeZito]

Cut off the top 10 inches of a sock, put your hand into it and slide it up to your forearm. Instant "arm rest" and it keeps your skin from effecting the finish.

. . . and looks totally cool at jam sessions too!

[JonDoug]

Rob Meldrum's book on setting up your mandolin yourself with Harbor Freight files and gauges fits the bill. Great approach for Rogue-level mandos, I've tried it, but I entrust the setup of valued or beloved instruments to a professional!

[MikeZito]

Wow, I never thought of looking for gauges at Harbor Freight. In the past I got stuff from Stew-Mac, but I didn't use them enough to justify the prices. Thanks for the heads-up!

[Roger Moss]

Rob Meldrum's book on setting up your mandolin yourself with Harbor Freight files and gauges fits the bill. Great approach for Rogue-level mandos, I've tried it, but I entrust the setup of valued or beloved instruments to a professional!

If you need guages for measuring the action, why get fancy. Try this...

https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-2502.../dp/B000BYGIR4

[MandoNina]

Do you want useful advice about playing mandolin, or "hacks" that sound easy?

I'll go out on a limb here and guess "hacks" that sound easy, it being a thread on mandolin hacks and all...