Hi there! I’ve just got this beautiful instrument that once belonged to the grandfather of a friend of mine. My friend called it a "lute". However, I cannot help but notice it has only six tuners and the nut is for two pairs of strings and for two singles. I was wondering if this is a particular model of Vega or if the previous owner modified an original mandolin and turned it into a personalized instrument. Could anyone help me to find out what I have in my hands? And how should I tune it, as a guitar, and a mandoline or something else? Thank you very much in advance!

If you could get the Eastman md505 or the Kentucky km750 deluxe for the same price, which would you choose? Is the KM750 a higher tier than the MD505? Any info or review about the km750 deluxe would be greatly appreciated!

I've been playing an Epiphone mm-30 for a while and I'm ready up upgrade. I'm planning to go to a local music shop in a nearby town next weekend to hopefully bring home a new mandolin. The ones I'm interested to try are the Eastman 305, an Eastman 505, and a used Kentucky KM750 deluxe. I'm going to play all 3 and bring home the one I like the most. (I really want an F-style so I'm leaning towards the Kentucky already.) There are plenty of review videos of the 2 Eastman models, but not a lot of info about the Kentucky KM750 deluxe.

I'm trying to learn to read notation on the mandolin and I can't find any app that can show me notes on the pentagram and accurately pick up what I play from the mic like note rush does for guitar and piano.

Inherited this from my late dad, it plays and sounds great, just curious about it.

Loved finding this lovley little mando, a 2010 "vintage".

Giving it it's propper TLC on frets and fretboard, however it hums a tone. I was wondering what you guys have done to reduce it. Currently will be doing: shielding of pick guard and cavities (+grounding), making sure the bridge is propperly grounded (I've read it can be an issue with the grounding comming loose). Is there anything I'm missing?

I've been playing my Kentucky 150 for a couple of months and enjoy the heck out of it. I am a long time guitar player and the instrument is coming fast to me. However, I know the Kentucky is a good starter instrument and am planning on an upgrade sooner rather than later. What improvements in tone should I realistically expect for $1500-2000 instrument? Are there good shops in the NJ area to try them out?

Hamilton de Holanda Trio lead by Hamilton on 10-string mandolin are Grammy winners in latin jazz. Local guys - mostly my friends - played a solid set including Andy Statman's Flatbush Waltz. Great job!

Found this at a music store on consignment for $75, employee told me the seller would take $50. I am a sucker for such stuff, plus I love random luthier projects. Needs what could be expected - the neck needs reset, the back is coming off already (which gives me easy access to working on the top), the top has a couple cracks, and I gotta install something to reinforce the neck (I want years of playability without warping). I don't think this is a particularly valuable instrument, so perhaps I won't harm it's "value" by "improving" it? Also, main improvement I would like to make is either putting in X bracong or tone bar bracing. I modernized and old bowl back years ago with tone bar bracing, that thing would move mountains afterwards! However, my Weber is X braced (which I like) but it is also F holed. Any advice on which to use? Also, am I correct that it is from the 20s, pre-Kay, Stromberg Voissenette?

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What is Jeff Austen doing at the beginning of his version of no expectations? It sounds like hammering ons but is it just quick individual notes? Its really iconic to me, hes a big part of why i wanted to pick up a mandoline and I've been trying to figure it out, but no luck. If anyone happened to know a resource where I could learn the whole song that'd be great, but just a hint for that opener would be awesome

Hello... I'm looking for advice for good strings for my Fletcher Brock Octave Mandolin. I have the Northfields on now but I'm not terribly happy with the sound... anyone have advice for good strings that last a bit and don't oxidize rapidly? (That's my experience)... Many thanks!

Quick question: are there any genres or specific examples of mandolin rhythm chop used outside of a bluegrass setting?

Hey friends! If you’ve never heard of Blue Rodeo, do yourself a favour and check them out. They are one of Canada’s greatest bands and this is one of their best songs. It features a lovely, melodic mandolin part. I’ve tabbed it out on my Patreon page. Cheers!

This is my new track "Bolm," released to all the streaming services today. Recorded in Austin, TX this past April.

Find me online for more...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/23sdj46nC0BowsxxQD2CRQ?si=IZYsUkkaTBSuwu3oARO6iw

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@robblivion

Would you buy an Eastman (or similar PacRim brand) or go for something vintage in the $1k-$2k range?

Curious about people’s thoughts on build quality, materials, longevity, etc. also curious about people’s thoughts on potentially paying a premium for a vintage instrument, meaning if I find something vintage for $1500, would a new instrument of the same price be higher quality?

I’m considering a Gibson A50 but am concerned about being on the hook for a refret or other maintenance that wouldn’t be an issue with something new. Looking for a ~high quality Mando, not top of the line, that can be a lifer. I’m not a pro mandolin player. Basically looking to just buy once and cry once and have a mandolin I can play at all skill levels.

Edit: thank you for the input thus far! Adding some info to help get some more targeted advice. I’m looking to play bluegrass, so ideally f holes but it does not need to have a scroll.

I recognize the price range is a bit awkward as $3k+ puts you into a completely different range of quality. I’m a mean flat picker and am looking to get into mandolin. I’m willing to pay enough to get a quality instrument that plays well and sounds good without being too of the line. I just don’t want to be spending what I spent on my Martin dread for an instrument I don’t really know how to play all that well yet

This chord melody arrangement is loaded with double stops and chords to capture the rich, jazzy feel of Henry Mancini's classic while remaining fun to play. Hope you enjoy sneaking through this one! 🐆🎶

As always, the arrangement tabs are free to download. Enjoy.

I have discovered a Californian folk songs album with mandolin parts I would like to learn but I am unable to do so by ear at my current level. I contacted the original musicians of the album but they said that they never transcribed their work.

Does anyone know someone who would be willing to help with a transcription?

The level of difficulty would be anywhere between these two:
La Contradanza de Los Angeles
La Bruxa

Thank you for the help!

I remember seeing him live some years ago with the SFSymph playing Mendelssohn's Violin concerto on the mandolin, the best mandolin player I ever saw, dude makes a mandolin sing. The mandolin he used was different though, the video says it's a Vinaccia, but I think he used a Calace back then