What would YOU do?

[pheffernan]

I don't know where you're located in New Hampshire, but a possible solution just surfaced in Belfast, Maine: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/73605

[Jack Roberts]

.....If you were going away on a vacation for a week and you absolutely could not take a mandolin with you.... what would you do? ...

I'd take a fiddle.

[Petrus]

I have been playing whistles and recorders for many decades and keep one in the car. I've been known to break it out and play at red lights. Can't do that with a mandolin (at least not easily).

I never got into penny whistles (a.k.a. "ten dollar whistles," in this century), but I could get into wooden Irish flutes if given the opportunity. Some of them are quite beautiful.

[Petrus]

I would pack my Eleuke Peanut tuned to GDAE with Aquila Soprano 5ths strings.

Cool ... something else I want! (Note to brain: Stop wanting stuff! Consult with wallet for further instructions!)

[foldedpath]

I never got into penny whistles (a.k.a. "ten dollar whistles," in this century), but I could get into wooden Irish flutes if given the opportunity. Some of them are quite beautiful.

I decided to explore that world a couple of years ago, as a different window into Irish trad.

Two years down the road... I'm still working on trying to get my Irish flute to the point where I could actually play it in a session, or on a gig. It probably gets easier after the beginner hump, but that first hump is a big one compared to whistle. Worth the effort though, if the sound grabs your ear. Flute + mandolin is a nice range of sounds to have under your fingers. And an "Irish" 3 or 4 part wooden flute packs down very small for traveling.

[jaycat]

Question for everyone. If you were going away on a vacation for a week and you absolutely could not take a mandolin with you.... what would you do? . . .

Well, I'm just finishing up my annual pilgrimage to New Orleans, and believe me, it has not been a problem. There's music everywhere, any time of day or night. So that's my advice -- take your vacation in the Crescent City and surround yourself with the sounds of everyone else making a joyful noise.

[JeffD]

When I have to be away from the mandolin I listen to music a lot. Especially when I drive. I listen to early country or bluegrass on XM or any of more than a few classical mandolin CDs, or I have an MP3 player filled with over 4600 old time, early bluegrass, or modern recreations of same that I can set on random and cycle through. Always can be listening.

[catmandu2]

And an "Irish" 3 or 4 part wooden flute packs down very small for traveling.

And quite rugged and weather-resistant--with the synthetic flutes

I'm biased--as woodwinds were my first instrument--but for various reasons I recommend that everyone learn to play...and when the time comes when you need something discreet--you'll be prepared

[Adam Sweet]

I have gone away for more than a week without my mandolin. But I always travel with an instrument! For example, on a recent camping trip I brought a pennywhistle and learned several tunes on it!

[Petrus]

You might also consider getting a Varigrip finger exerciser. Good to keep the fretting fingers in shape for longer periods away from your instrument. You can get 'em at GuitarCenter or Amazon for about $10-15.

[Adam Sweet]

A few years ago, I found this guy at a music trade show that had invented this foam guitar fretboard for practicing scales. He called it the "Little Fretty". I think there's a market for something similar for mandolin!

[Bertram Henze]

[Fretless]

Simple solution:



Fretless

[GuitarDogs62]

Honestly I am faced with this situation come October 2014 this year. I am going away on vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando Fla. I have decided to do just that, go on vacation and enjoy my vacation with my wife and have a truly great time. This means the Mandolin and guitar are not going with me. There is to much fun to be had on vacation and a vacation means to get away from everyday life and do something completely different. Now what you could do would be like me. When we are driving back home from Fla I will stop at a music store here and there along the way to home and maybe make a vacation ending purchase.

[Petrus]

A few years ago, I found this guy at a music trade show that had invented this foam guitar fretboard for practicing scales. He called it the "Little Fretty". I think there's a market for something similar for mandolin!

Yeah, I've seen those "practice necks" costing anywhere from $30 to $70. You'd think it'd be easy enough just to get an old neck from the junkpile and use it if one wanted to do that.

[foldedpath]

Honestly I am faced with this situation come October 2014 this year. I am going away on vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando Fla. I have decided to do just that, go on vacation and enjoy my vacation with my wife and have a truly great time. This means the Mandolin and guitar are not going with me.

Sounds like a nice trip. One word of advice, if you've never been there before. Avoid the "Small World" ride if you value your ears and your sanity. Otherwise, have fun!

[OU1]

Take the week off....it will be good for you! Watch you tube videos if you have too, enjoy the others around you...have fun!

[Ben Cooper]

Thanks to everyone! I took along three harmonicas and never touched them. Looked for a music store kind of half heartedly, but didn't find one. I did however, have a fantastic time and now that we are getting settled back into the home, I am going to break out the Girouard and play her for a while. I know my callouses have softened so I will take it slow. i think I may see if I can get a travel mando for the next trip though.

[Ben Cooper]

simple solution:



fretless

lmao!!

[mandocrucian]

I took along three harmonicas and never touched them.

[Ben Cooper]

lmao!!