Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 33

Thread: It has finally happened (HELP!)

  1. #1

    Default It has finally happened (HELP!)

    I dropped my blue chip pick into my f hole mandolin. How the holy heck do i get it out?

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Turn it over and shake it for a while. It will eventually come out or get close enough to the f hole so that you can grab it. Also, you can roll up some blue painters tape on a pencil end with the sticky side out and see if you can grab it.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MikeEdgerton For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Registered User G7MOF's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Lancashire/UK
    Posts
    1,411

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    I used Blutack on a piece of wire to get a pick out of my F hole mandolin, chewing gum would so a similar job.
    I never fail at anything, I just succeed at doing things that never work....


    Fylde Touchstone Walnut Mandolin.
    Gibson Alrite Model D.

  5. The following members say thank you to G7MOF for this post:

    Em Tee 

  6. #4
    Registered User Gary Hudson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    43

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    I've always feared this happening.

  7. #5
    Pittsburgh Bill
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    1,067
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Hudson View Post
    I've always feared this happening.
    Happens frequently. At least to me.
    Big Muddy EM8 solid body (Mike Dulak's final EM8 build)
    Kentucky KM-950
    Weber Gallatin A Mandola "D hole"
    Rogue 100A (current campfire tool & emergency canoe paddle)

  8. #6
    ===========
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Connecticut
    Posts
    1,628

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    In my early days of playing acoustic guitar, it seemed like I had 15 or 20 picks always ratting around inside the sound hole . . . if you shake the instrument while you play it, it will be like having a percussionist playing along with you.

  9. The following members say thank you to MikeZito for this post:

    Cobalt 

  10. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Quote Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill View Post
    Happens frequently. At least to me.
    It's been happening to me for years. I think it's a fairly normal occurrence.

    I will note that it has never happened to Chuck Norris.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  11. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to MikeEdgerton For This Useful Post:


  12. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Central Illinois
    Posts
    3,563

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    At least you know where it is ! I have lost two BC but never lost a cheap pick !

  13. #9
    Celtic Strummer Matt DeBlass's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Madison, WI
    Posts
    858

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    I always figured the real advantage of f-hole was how much harder it was to lose your pick in one. I never thought about how much harder it would be to get one out.
    If I call my guitar my "axe," does that mean my mandolin is my hatchet?

    Breedlove Quartz KF
    Kit Built Oval Hole
    Martin 000M
    Highland Harp

    https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/mattdeblass2

    Feed My Ego, Visit My Youtube Page

  14. #10
    Registered User Kevin Stueve's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    475

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Quote Originally Posted by G7MOF View Post
    I used Blutack on a piece of wire to get a pick out of my F hole mandolin, chewing gum would so a similar job.
    Okay advice on getting a piece of chewing gum stuck to a pick out of the f hole on my mandolin?
    2012 Weber Bitterroot F5.

  15. #11
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI.
    Posts
    7,487

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    The removal is not that hard really.
    Do the obvious flip and shake move, gee.
    Practice for a while, it WILL happen again!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  16. #12
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Augusta, Maine, USA
    Posts
    1,814

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Use a doorknob hole drill bit to drill a hole in the back. Be careful not to let it cut through the top, though. That could damage your strings.

  17. The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Charlie Bernstein For This Useful Post:


  18. #13
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    3,320

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    The removal process is similar to pouring water out of a boot! 😉

  19. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Skip Kelley For This Useful Post:


  20. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    charlottesville, VA
    Posts
    1,140

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Actually easier than a guitar (at least with my mandolin) since you don't have to hop it over the x-braces. Just flip it over and gently shake it until the pick moves to the widest part of the ff-hole. Then either grab it or keep tilting until it falls out.
    Mitch Russell

  21. #15

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Toss the shaky end of a rattlesnake in there and call it good.

  22. #16
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    When my son was around three he would ask for the pick then quickly toss it in a sound hole. Laughed my butt off the first time, each subsequent time was a bit less funny.
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  23. #17
    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Oxfordshire, England
    Posts
    656

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bertotti View Post
    When my son was around three he would ask for the pick then quickly toss it in a sound hole. Laughed my butt off the first time, each subsequent time was a bit less funny.
    Perhaps he was trying to tell you something?

  24. The following members say thank you to OneChordTrick for this post:


  25. #18
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leer, Northern Germany
    Posts
    1,554

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	geld-konzept-hammer-der-sparschwein-bricht-39576131.jpg 
Views:	108 
Size:	96.7 KB 
ID:	175870

  26. #19
    Registered User John Bertotti's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    SD
    Posts
    3,658

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Quote Originally Posted by OneChordTrick View Post
    Perhaps he was trying to tell you something?
    Quite possible!
    My avatar is of my OldWave Oval A

    Creativity is just doing something wierd and finding out others like it.

  27. The following members say thank you to John Bertotti for this post:


  28. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    High Peak - UK
    Posts
    4,172

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    I’ve often lost picks inside guitars and a few times inside F holed mandolins but has anyone else lost one inside a National RM-1? Retrieval is possible but not easy!!!

  29. #21
    Lurkist dhergert's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    Blue Zone, California
    Posts
    1,867
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Plastic straw with duct tape (reversed) on the end of the straw.
    -- Don

    "Music: A minor auditory irritation occasionally characterized as pleasant."
    "It is a lot more fun to make music than it is to argue about it."


    2002 Gibson F-9
    2016 MK LFSTB
    1975 Suzuki taterbug (plus many other noisemakers)
    [About how I tune my mandolins]
    [Our recent arrival]

  30. #22
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    San Rafael, Ca
    Posts
    700

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    My technique was always to look into the hole and maneuver the pick directly under the hole, and then quickly flipped the instrument over so it falls out the hole. Might not work so well with an F hole, but it is my go to for most instruments.
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

  31. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to CWRoyds For This Useful Post:


  32. #23
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI.
    Posts
    7,487

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    22 posts on how to get a pick out of an instrument!?
    Please!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  33. #24
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    That's OK Tim, I'm thinking of doing a video. I never knew it was an issue and to my recollection this is the first time it has been asked.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  34. The following members say thank you to MikeEdgerton for this post:


  35. #25
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    South of Cleburne, North of Hillsboro, Texas
    Posts
    5,091

    Default Re: It has finally happened (HELP!)

    Quote Originally Posted by Timbofood View Post
    22 posts on how to get a pick out of an instrument!?
    Please!
    So only 22 are not enough for you?

    Hope Mike’s video comes out before this ever happens t me.
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
    ----------------------------------
    "Life is short. Play hard." - AlanN

    ----------------------------------
    HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
    Newbies Social Group | The Song-A-Week Social
    The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
    - Advice For Mandolin Beginners
    - YouTube Stuff

  36. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mark Gunter For This Useful Post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •