Forum - Banjo Ben Clark

Gonna buy....just a few Q's

#7

Congrats, I play a 615 and love it. But whatever you buy get it set up professionally, it is amazing the difference that can make.

To your first question Capo’s. If you go to mandolin cafe you will see that capos are very controversial, along with the topics Thile v. Monroe, reading notes. v. Tab, or are new gibsons over priced. IMHO these are mostly subjective or really need the answer to be “it depends” .

CAPOS: Mandolins with their uniform string intervals ( I.e. no b string that mixes things up) usually don’t need capos in jams since all you do is move your hands up or down for chords or scales and they are the same. Of course I speak of closed position scales and chop chords. That said capos are seen by many in the mando community as crutches and not kosher. Truth be told open chords sound different than closed position chords, and if you need a A# open chord sound by all means use them. Irish and British mando players use capos a lot but they play mandolas and octave mandolins more and have more space on the neck to use them. Personally, the mando is so small capos usually cramps me, but I have used them in Live situations which flakey singers. ( I now think Ben’s next lesson should closed position scales…if the interweb police are listening or watching me through my tv)

NEW STRINGS: Probably not, Eastman puts J74s on there and they should last you a bit. When you change strings know that the bridge is not attached ( like a violin) So change one string at a time. That said I love Elixirs not for their better sound than J74s but longevity. So ride out the 74s, put on Elixirs for a longer interval between changes.

#8

As an almost complete newbie on mandolins, I can pitch in a few opinions.

  1. As verneq said, since you are more often than not playing closed chords (no open strings) you don’t need a capo for grass. If you play alternate styles with open chords then a capo would be handy for odd keys. As far as the controversy of it… if it gets you the sound you want and you are happy… who cares what others think. A capo can be thought of as a crutch, and it’s a fair assessment. On the other hand, it can be thought of as a tool. I think that is also a fair assessment when properly used.
    2)On changing out to Elixirs. My mando came with J73s. I just changed out to Elixir lights. To be honest, I like the J73s better “out of the box.” They had a livelier overall tone. The Elixirs do have a better balance between strings (the E is a bit wimpy on the 73s). I suspect I’ll like the Elixirs better than the J73s with 20 hours on them, but we’ll see.

One thing I suggest since you are new to mandolins… when doing a string change do not remove all the strings on your mando at the same time until you want to set the bridge position for intonation. It’s not glued on there and is held by string tension. If you leave a few strings on while replacing others, it holds it in place. With that said, setting the intonation is not the end of the world, but a non-fixed bridge is not something you run into on a flat top guitar.

#9

OK…what happens when you switch from “G” (playing a song), to “A”? How is this done, sans a capo?

Just curious.

If I chord a “G” on my guitar with no capo, and a “G” on the mandolin with no capo…am I playing the same chord? If so, what happens (i.e. which chords do I play to accompany) when the guitar is capo’d up two frets (playing in “A”)?

I know this is elementary to some of you. Bear with me.

#10

One way think of it is bar chords on the guitar. If you are playing a G chop on a mandolin (middle finger 3rd fret) then A would be a whole step or two frets up (middle finger on the 5th fret). Just like a guitar bar chord G is barred on the 3rd fret, The bar chord A is barred on the 5th.

#11

I’m assuming this is the (well, one of) beauty of the mandolin, from a play=ability standpoint. The smaller scale makes what you’re describing possible.

More I read and hear, I think I’m going to get the 515.

#12

I know nothing about this 315, I just saw it and thought I’d post a link:
ebay.com/itm/161000324796

#13

Don’t know if you have any intrest in it or not but I listed in my earlier post that I have a 515 that I was using for my backup, I really like it , it is a great looking and sounding instrument, by far the best import I’ve ever heard outside of some of the high end Kentuckys. It has just had a professional setup done just a short time back complete with new Martin strings . I have played it a good bit and it is not in “like new” condition. It is however very nice . I have a top of the line Hard Case with it and a strap. The neck is small , same as on my Pricetone. It is very user friendly, action is medium/low fret pressure is light. It is easy to play. Serial number is 2012.
The only reason I am considering selling it is that I just acquired a vintage 1948 Gibson that is SWEET.
If you think you might be interested reply here and I’ll send you my email address

#14

PM sent.

#15

That’s a pretty back!

#16

I also have a 515 that doesn’t get played much anymore but I’m not ready to part with it yet. Bought it new 6 years ago and it’s been a good mandolin. I would definately consider the one above if you can get it for a fair price. Hey Kagey what is that an '07 model? My serial # is 2074.

#17

Hopefully, Kagey and I aren’t that far apart (distance). Seriously looking at his instrument.

#18

It is a 07, didn’t buy it until late 09, it had sat in a box in the local music store up until then. Owner had never put it on display. I thought I’d found “excaliber” when he showed it to me!!! :mrgreen:

#19

Well, after talking to Kagey (PM’s) and getting a warm & fuzzy feeling, I’m buying his 515.

A farmer, grasser AND a fellow hunter? No-brainer.

Thanks for all of your replies. Looking forward to getting the Eastman and completely humbling myself.

#20

Congrats!

#21

Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? Very smart move.

#22

Sniff Sniff :cry: Just pulled the old Eastman out and played a very Soulful rendition of “Bury me Beneath the Willow” Polished her up with some of that good old Gibson Polish and tucked her safely away in her case. Gonna Box it up tomorrow to ship out, Its a bittersweet feeling but I got a feeling that better days lie ahead for this fine instrument as some serious playing time lies ahead!!! I hope it turns out to be all you were looking for and more, as I said before if you are disappointed, I’ll gladly welcome her back!!! :mrgreen:

#23

I appreciate the gesture, but I’m sure I’ll be tickled.

I love ‘Bury me beneath the Willow’…almost as much as this one. The man singing this is at our weekly jam (this video was filmed where we hold our jam on Saturdays). This is my favorite arrangement of this song in the whole wide world. And, I’ll get to see the Kruger boys in a couple weeks (Merlefest).

youtube.com/watch?v=DCxkbelY_hE

Here he is again with the Kruger boys. If you want to get some chills, play the whole thing…and listen for the crowd to join in.

youtube.com/watch?v=DCxkbelY_hE

#25

I’m still a little intimidated by it. But, I pick it up from time to time. I think I’ll just keep doing this for a while, instead of trying to dive all the way into learning it. I find that I can find 2-3 finger chordings all over the place. I just can’t remember them!

It’s a neat little instrument.

#26

Well done JV - it’s a long and winding road ahead.
Guess you wouldn’t be interested in this one yet. I’d love to buy it, particularly as it is an Oz built masterpiece, but don’t think she who must be obeyed would approve of the pricetag … :open_mouth:
Anyone else interested?

#27

That is a serious instrument.