Try a deep socket in a size that fits your finger. You can buy them at Sears. My dobro user did that for years.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-socke...FY9TDAodPiYKVg
Try a deep socket in a size that fits your finger. You can buy them at Sears. My dobro user did that for years.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-socke...FY9TDAodPiYKVg
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I have used my always-handy nail clipper (no musician should leave home without one) as a slide as well as a plastic knife handle when near a kitchen.
Jim
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19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
I have to admit that I had no idea what "hacks" meant.... maybe I just live on the wrong side of the Pool? However, all has become clear, so I can confirm that not one, but three bootlaces, flat, and selected for colour, platted together make a stylish and reliable basis for a strap. A bit of careful consideration is required as to how you secure it, but I've made 3 now, and feel that my most recent attempt compliments my new Hathway quite nicely. Regarding picks, large (toe) nail clippers to shape homemade picks - or to cut larger ones down to size works quite well, followed by a bit of sanding, of course.
"What's that funny guitar thing..?"
I think a whole lot of people have used the socket thing. The secret is getting the right size to fit your finger.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Lipstick covers, socket wrenches, wedding rings, pocket knives, and actual bottlenecks all work surprisingly well...
And, if you go Craftsman on the socket, you get a life time warrantee..
Chuck
Yeah, but what is the life expectancy for Sears?if you go Craftsman on the socket, you get a life time warrantee..
New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.
Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).
My website and blog: honketyhank.com
Good friend of mine uses a piece of electrical conduit for a slide, actually works well, it's light and a little warmer than the socket.
THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!
I used to carry a second mandolin, Coracedin bottle or wedding ring for slide, bulk strings, candle “ Stick um” before I heard of gorilla snot. I still have the stick um.
Mike, the only time you’re a “Debbie Downer” is when I’ve just taken a drink and spray it all over my screen!
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
I play a lot of slide, guitar, banjo, and, rarely, mandolin. Imho, mando doesnt have enough sustain, but it can be done.
Imho, mando requires a fairly heavy slide. Light slides have ....not such a great tone, imho.
But i own a couple anyway. Rarely use them. Some have underside cutaways, so you can roll them , keep them on, and chord normally. Tougher than it sounds to do on the fly.
Not a hack, buy yourself a commercially cut and polished wine bottle neck.
Just go and try some.
Imho, glass Has much nicer overtones, imho than metal. Its sweeter, less shrill.
For metal, dunlop makes a very hefty guitar metal slide with a "u" cutaway for the underside of the finger, below the joint. This makes chording while the slide is on much easier.
Size is important, not too big, especially.
There is also a shorty slide, plenty for a mando neck width. Problem is typically tinny tone, but, this varies with string gauge.
I make my own slides from extra heavy wine bottles. Waaaay more trouble than paying.
Socket wrenches.... been there...conduit too. Try em and see. I find sockets too clunky. Coricidin....duane liked em, but he was playing a les paul with really light strings...point, he had sustain for days with an LP. Me, Not so much, imho, on acoustics, but you may love it.
Btw, a slide trick is to lightly dampen the strings behind the slide to eliminate unwanted tones, use a finger tucked behind the slide, very lightly muting on top of the strings (on the side of the slide towards the nut).
With the small fret distance for notes, slide gets very precise up high on a mandolin. Quite the challenge.
It's a Hofner 545 from 50's or 60's I think. This is the description I've found online, though observant members of the cafe have told me it's most likely rosewood.
"Symmetrical tear drop-style body, arched mahogany top, arched mahogany back, mahogany sides, two bound cat's-eye soundholes, wide top and back binding, mahogany neck, 17-fret rosewood fingerboard with large block inlays, slotted elaborate headstock with four-per-side open-style tuners, rosewood bridge, trapeze tailpiece, pearloid pickguard, in Natural finish."
.
Ok here's the list of "mandolin hacks" we've compiled so far:
1. Capo ( e.g Pencil & rubber band )
2. Pick ( Cut and filed out of a credit card )
3. Pick Grip (Banjo thumb pick or pick with holes drilled for better grip)
4. Strap ( e.g Bootlace strap )
5. Strap lock ( Faucet O ring )
6. Case for A mod ( Tennis bag )
7. Case humidifier ( Orange peal (apple) in zipper bags )
8. Nut Lubricant ( Pencil graphite )
9. Slide ( Socket wrench, Bottleneck, Lipstick cover, Nail clipper )
10. Arm rest/Finish protector ( Cut a sock )
11. Friction reducer ( Forehead Oil on finger tips )
Honorable mentions :
Mandolin as a canoe paddle
Mandolin as a lifehack
"Sign up for another credit card so I can make some backup picks to go with my bootlace strap"
If I missed or misunderstood some, feel free to add to or correct the list
Thanks to everyone pitching in!
I'd recommend a damp sponge over an orange peel or apple slice. That way if any liquid leaks it'll be less sticky of a clean up and you won't have to replace as often. You can also drill holes in a plastic pill bottle or a film canister(if you still have one around) to make a humidifier.
Regarding slides...
Mississippi Fred McDowell used a pocket knife and a beef rib bone.
Syd Barrett and Jimi Hendrix used a Zippo.
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams
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