Question Gang ?

[kenvb]

i was given this Goya last yr by a friends father who played it . i tuned it with a electronic tuner. my autistic 8 yr old grandson likes to hold it and picks at the strings. was wondering if i removed one string from each .could he pick it easier. thanks

[pops1]

I like the pair of strings and think it is easier to play. I would simply put a very light gauge set of strings on it.

[MikeZito]

As the father of two autistic children myself, I would say that, all-in-all, I tend to doubt the removing the double strings would make it easier to pick at the strings. If he is getting enjoyment out of the mandolin, exactly as it is, then let him continue to have fun. If at some point he decides that he may actually want to play it, then revisit the situation.

[kenvb]

thanks. i did get him a cheap kids guitar last yr that he is not interested in at all. when he saw the Mandolin on the couch last fall.he picked it up and strums it,now i leave it out when he visits. but hes trying to pick the strings.he really likes the sound of it? yesterday i was watching a early Elvis movie and Ryker picked up the Mandolin and stood in frt of the mirror and mimicked Elvis.s song..all shook up. was funny.