My hola mando

[madrabbett]

This is my new mandolin it is also my first.

[ukenukem]

Congrats! Being the proud owner of budget mandolins I found that putting those little rubber grommets on the strings behind the bridge really helps the overall sound, cuts those pesky overtones. Also, get Rob Melon's ebook on setup. Even if you pay someone to do it at least you understand what is going on.

So is that strap reversible - CAUTION for beginners and black when you play for other people? :-) (would have been good for me!)

[JEStanek]

Congrats and welcome to the Cafe.

Jamie

[allenhopkins]

Inadvertent double posting -- sorry!

[allenhopkins]

Congrats! ...get Rob Melon's ebook on setup. Even if you pay someone to do it at least you understand what is going on...

Or, as we call him, Rob Meldrum.

As he says, "Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and I will email you a copy for free (free to all mandolincafe members). -- Rob"

[madrabbett]

Thanks for the advice. What are they called? The rubber grommet things.

[allenhopkins]

"String dampers" or "harmonic dampers." You wedge one between each pair of strings, between bridge and tailpiece. Elderly sells 'em; 19¢ each. You can probably find them at hardware stores as well; don't know what they're called there.

[V70416]

Congrats!

If you're like me,you never forget your first mandolin. May it bring you many years of enjoyment.

It's been a long time ago,but I remember sitting and playing my first mando in a music store in Santa Fe for hours.
They finally came down on the price enough that I would buy it,I think,just to get rid of me.

Patience and persistence.

Little did I know what a life-changing event it was for me and my mando journey back 30 years ago.

Caution. Indeed.

[ukenukem]

Or, as we call him, Rob Meldrum.

As he says, "Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and I will email you a copy for free (free to all mandolincafe members). -- Rob"

Opps! Thanks Allen!

I picked up the grommets on ebay, several US vendors sell them at low cost.