Donner Mandolin issue

[mikeybrasco]

Greetings and i apologize in advance if i'm in the wrong section.....

I'm a newbie trying to learn the mandolin and i bought a Donner Mandolin, and i cant seem to either get it tuned right or sound like any mandolin i have ever heard or seen on video. Could i be doing something wrong? Is this a flaw with the Donner mandolins? I know they are on the cheaper end of the scale, but as a beginner, it seemed appropriate.

Thanks for any help or advice you can offer?

[Roger Moss]

What you have is a low end laminate mandolin so it won't sound like a Gibson or a Collings but should be serviceable to start off with. The tuning issue might be an intonation problem. I don't know how much experience you have witht that kind of thing, but it can cause it to be untunable, especially if you don't use an electronic tuner. If you haven't already, check out a few YouTube videos on mandolin intonation, they will give you an idea about how to do it. There are other setup issues you might have to address, like action, the height of the strings at the nut and bridge. Mandolins are quite different from guitars with their own peculiarities. Search MC for Rob Meldrum. He has an ebook on mandolin setup that is free to Cafe members. Just email him. Hopefully this will get you started and going

[Nevin]

Welcome to the Cafe and the world of mandolins. I am not familiar with the Donner brand but others here probably are. A bit more information on the nature of your problem would be helpful. Photos of the mandolin showing how it is strung at the nut, tuners, bridge and tailpiece as well as a full front shot would be helpful. If it is an inexpensive mandolin it is likely to need a setup. What is the nature of the tuning problem? Does it not stay in tune? Are you unable to get the strings to pitch? Is the intonation off?

[MikeEdgerton]

Do you own an electronic tuner?

[Jeff Mando]

I would first check the position of the bridge. The bridge is moveable and is just held in place by the string tension. Generally speaking, it is usually centered between the center of the two f-holes. At least that will give you a starting point. Otherwise, the mandolin will never play in tune if the bridge is in the wrong position.

[pops1]

To further up on what Jeff says. Tune the E and G strings to pitch using a tuner preferably. Then play each at the 12th fret if it is sharp on the 12th fret move the bridge toward the tailpiece, flat move toward the tuners. Tune again and repeat until it is correct.

[Louise NM]

Any chance it's beginning to eat itself?

[CarlM]

Some stories have it that one of the survivors of the party went on to run a restaurant in Sacramento. There is some question whether this is an urban myth but if it is not true it should be.

[Roger Moss]

Any chance it's beginning to eat itself?

Wouldn't it be eating other mandolins?

[Louise NM]

Roger, it doesn't sound like there are any others in the house. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Carl, forty-some of the party survived. Why not a restaurant? Especially if it was carefully named. "Sweeney Todd's"?

[JonT]

As for me, I've been up there to Donner Pass, and into Truckee and the surrounding area, many times looking for a Donner Burger. I have yet to find aone, which I would have thought would be a slam-dunk for restaurants up there. At least if they have a sense of humor....

[pops1]

Well the Donner party was on the road, so would Road Kill Cafe qualify?

[allenhopkins]

The Donner mandolin I found via Google was made entirely of mahogany plywood -- back, sides, and top -- and listed for $80.

At that price, and with that construction, expectations should be deservedly modest. Doesn't mean it couldn't be set up to play decently, but it's pretty much "ya gets what ya paid for."

Later: did I mention that it came with a gig bag, tuner, and even a pick, for $80? It's a "Donner Deal..."

[MikeEdgerton]

I have old eyes this morning. Is the bridge top on the Donnor deal mandolin Allen posted reversed?

[Paul Busman]

Any chance it's beginning to eat itself?

I was waiting for someone to make a joke about that.

My first thought was that the OP was going to cannibalize it for parts.

I've run across a middle eastern food called Doner Kebab. It's spelled differently but it gave me pause...It's actually very delicious.

[Eric F.]

It's spelled differently but it gave me pause...It's actually very delicious.

Especially with fava beans and a nice chianti.

[Jim Hilburn]

I just bought a Chinese power supply for stompboxes called a Donner for $25. I guess it's a name used a a variety of musical equipment. The power supply seems to work great but not a mandolin.

[Folkmusician.com]

Since the thread has totally derailed anyway.

Anyone recognize this?

[Roger Moss]

Since the thread has totally derailed anyway.

Anyone recognize this?

Looks like refuse desecrating a nice stream. Unfortunately I recognize that immediately. I assume, though, that's not the answer you're looking for.

[Jeff Mando]

Since the thread has totally derailed anyway.

Anyone recognize this?

I'll take a stab at it --- how about, "uncontrolled MAS could leave you upstream without a paddle?"

[Folkmusician.com]

I figured someone would recognize this pretty quick.

So it isn't actually a riddle.

It is on the Truckee River (on the way up to Donner Pass). It's a piece of some concrete overflow or something. It looks like it broke off from just upstream. Seems like it has been there for at least 5+ years.
ahh.. apparently it was part of a diversion to feed a flume:




We all need a diversion from MAS. haha