I went to the music store that I got my mandolin from, and asked the guy helping me if he knew about things like the tune guard and the arm rest, and not only did his shop not have those things, but he didn't even know what they were! Great guy and he knows about the instruments, but I guess he never felt the need to have anything more than a tuner, strap, and case.
thanks david for the tips i just got my second mandolin today i lost my first one moving from se florida to east tennessee , now i play in the smokey mountains so good
After watching your video the first time, i purchased a PineGrove strap for F style and I love it. I will order one for my A style. Thanks for the suggestion
The toneguard also helps prevent buttons on your shirt from scratching up the back of the instrument. I live near Martin, and most of the local boutiques and showrooms will NOT let you touch a guitar with a button down shirt unless you put on an apron to cover the buttons. The cage helps keep a little distance between those buttons and the back of the instrument. Plus the benefits you mentioned.
Thanks, David. These are good. My 2¢-worth - I like using Fast Fret (GHS) and a small brush on the strings to keep them fresh and smooth to the touch (slick, even). I use a shaving brush: After playing (and before, sometimes) couple of smart swipes of the brush over the length of the strings over the fret board, then a wipe with the Fast Fret. The brush can be angled against the frets to eliminate any gunk build-up that can occur there. Happy picking, everyone!
String winder for us po folk - when winding just make sure the other buttons are facing straight up and down and not sideways. This allows the big winder of the affordable models to easily fit and not hit the other tuner buttons. Takes a bit to get used to it but what the heck as we say in Canada.
Play the bowl back around the house. They're fun and have pretty good tone. Get another all solid wood mandolin like an Eastman or Richwood. The Richwood pro series is a really good bang for buck option. Get a decent case and your transport worries are over.
I just got my first mandolin, but have played guitar for decades. This video was very helpful and I wanted to tell you that you have a excellent manner and I really appreciated your video.
One tuner I'd highly recommend is the Peterson Strobo HD. One thing about lcd tuners is that the accuracy is limited by their display. The Peterson tuner overcomes that issue and allows you to tune to fractions of a cent.
What's up Mike! How're you man? Yeah! The Peterson is pretty top notch--worth the money if you're looking for an upgrade. Honestly though, I try not to lean too much on my tuner, because everyone at the jam is always a little out of tune 😆. Kind of helps just to use the tuner as a reference, then trust your ear to best suit the musicians you're playing with. But in a perfect world we'd all have Petersons for sure, haha!
I once saw Chet Atkins jamming with Doc Watson and a few others and he needed to tune his guitar. Chet held his nose against the guitar and tuned it perfectly. Not sure if he had the ability to smell when a note is in tune 🤣 or he was just feeling the vibrations.
+1 on the tuner and the strap. I am generally too lazy to tune, the tuner makes it just so easy to do it . With the guitar strap, i can play standing up which helps me get in the performance mindset.
Hey Team Mando ! My Washburn, has an end pin that is too small, so I just used a D’Addario elliptical end pin. Secure and black like my strap so it’s fashion acceptable.
Bro. I’m brand new to mandolin after having played guitar for a hundred years and not having a strap, I know I definitely need a strap. Holy neck-dive, Batman. 🦇
I've tried Dampits, and I prefer the humidipak systems instead. Dampits inevitably drip a little inside your instrument, which isn't good. Most luthiers who work on violins and guitars that have had Dampits used on them notice that there's always water stains inside the instrument.
All excellent suggestions. Thanks, Dave, i hadn't thought about the t-shirt or the string winder. Have to get on those. Love your lessons and and videos with my morning coffee. Keep it up, please.
David, I have been thinking about buying a Tone Guard. According to your concise description, it is not really what I'm looking for. Do you know of an add-on for the back of my "A' mandolin that will keep it from sliding around on my abdominal area when I try to play fast compositions ? Thank you ! steve h
Now, we all appreciate personal recommendations from respected performers. Always glad to hear them. However, do not deny yourself the joys of ManicMandoPick Acquisition Syndrome. Spend a hundred bucks or so, swap picks with friends, try as many brands and styles as you possibly can. After accumulating an assortment, try grabbing one out of a stack with your eyes closed, then test feel and sound while avoiding brand and cost biases. You may end up with a single favorite, a group of favorites, or even a list of best pick for each music style. Crazy? Well, it's a lot cheaper than ManicMando Acquisition Syndrome ...
Regarding straps: I have read the term "cradle strap." What is that? Or to put it another way, how is a cradle strap different from a non-cradle strap? I have searched for an answer, but one eludes me! String winder--indispensable! I had one for my guitar. Never without again.
Very cool gear head video for mandolin heads! Nice job David and well presented too. I hereby nominate you for 2021 IBMA Mandolin player of the year! (I mean I actually would if I could -- seriously). Has Jimmy Gaudreau ever been on Mandolin Mondays?
I think it is fair to say the tone guard is not an enhancement. It only allows the instrument to sound without being muffled. If u have learned to hold the mandolin away from your body while playing, so u don't muffle the sound, it is of no use. 😅
I've got a tanglewood union series tsmm that's more guitar shaped than mandolin shaped at a glance, having some trouble trying to find a hard case to fit it 💔 any thoughts/info?
Same problem with my Godin A8. I solved it by buying a rectangular case from a music shop, some foam from a specialist supplier and a hot-wire foam cutter. The case was already soft lined, but didn't have any shaped inserts for a particular model/style of mandolin. I was therefore able to fill the case with a matching rectangular block of foam, with the specific shape cut out to match the instrument. Doing a quick web search for "rectangular musical instrument case" I see you can get reasonably priced cases which already contain foam. If it has "pick" foam you can pluck out the shape of the instrument without needing a hot-wire cutter. Obviously a rectangular case has more space so you can cut extra compartments for other bits and pieces, such as a tuner, spare strings, picks, etc
Hi, David! Appreciated this video the first time around, but came back to see if you showed your Apitius in the Hoffee case with the tone gard and armrest on. My Apitius will be done here in a couple months, and I have a tone gard and banjolit armrest for it. Just curious if it'll fit safely in the Hoffee with both installed.
They are sweet. I can't afford them though. I have Crossrock fiberglass cases for my Iwamoto and for my JBovier. Not as awesome as the Calton or Hoffee, but good protection for a price I can afford. Way better than the Saga/Superior fiberglass cases. Fits with Tone Gard on and doesn't put pressure on the bridge.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, I use gig bags. Not super cheap ones, reasonably substantial. However, I am not a touring pro (or any other type of pro) and don't carry instruments on airplanes. Since the early '90s, have carried instruments by car in gig bags without damage, just by exercising reasonable care. Also a LOT nicer to carry around festivals and music camps.
Great video! I've personally heard how much the armrest affect to your playing in terms of strong accent (I play mostly Irish music so I need strong and definite accents)...what do you think about that?
Hey Andrea! Thanks for watching this video! I think armrests are useful for whatever style of music you're playing on the mandolin. Definitely worth checking out if you don't have one already!
@@DavidBenedictMandolin Consider yourself pardoned, but it wouldn't kill you to learn to correctly pronounce the name of one of the most important companies in our little world... 🙂
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
I went to the music store that I got my mandolin from, and asked the guy helping me if he knew about things like the tune guard and the arm rest, and not only did his shop not have those things, but he didn't even know what they were! Great guy and he knows about the instruments, but I guess he never felt the need to have anything more than a tuner, strap, and case.
thanks david for the tips i just got my second mandolin today i lost my first one moving from se florida to east tennessee , now i play in the smokey mountains so good
After watching your video the first time, i purchased a PineGrove strap for F style and I love it. I will order one for my A style. Thanks for the suggestion
The toneguard also helps prevent buttons on your shirt from scratching up the back of the instrument. I live near Martin, and most of the local boutiques and showrooms will NOT let you touch a guitar with a button down shirt unless you put on an apron to cover the buttons. The cage helps keep a little distance between those buttons and the back of the instrument. Plus the benefits you mentioned.
Thanks, David. These are good. My 2¢-worth - I like using Fast Fret (GHS) and a small brush on the strings to keep them fresh and smooth to the touch (slick, even). I use a shaving brush: After playing (and before, sometimes) couple of smart swipes of the brush over the length of the strings over the fret board, then a wipe with the Fast Fret. The brush can be angled against the frets to eliminate any gunk build-up that can occur there. Happy picking, everyone!
Thanks for sharing!
String winder for us po folk - when winding just make sure the other buttons are facing straight up and down and not sideways. This allows the big winder of the affordable models to easily fit and not hit the other tuner buttons. Takes a bit to get used to it but what the heck as we say in Canada.
Nice! Good tip!
I am from Canada wondering what kind of Mandolin do you have? Thinking about getting one but I would beginner at this instrument?
I would love to buy all of these but seeing as I have a bowlback mandolin, I am unable to find an armrest, Tone-Gard or travel case. Sad days
Play the bowl back around the house. They're fun and have pretty good tone. Get another all solid wood mandolin like an Eastman or Richwood. The Richwood pro series is a really good bang for buck option. Get a decent case and your transport worries are over.
You have given 7 tips that are so critical for a serious mandolin player.... I took me 25+ years to learn that!😀
Thanks!
I just got my first mandolin, but have played guitar for decades. This video was very helpful and I wanted to tell you that you have a excellent manner and I really appreciated your video.
One tuner I'd highly recommend is the Peterson Strobo HD. One thing about lcd tuners is that the accuracy is limited by their display. The Peterson tuner overcomes that issue and allows you to tune to fractions of a cent.
What's up Mike! How're you man? Yeah! The Peterson is pretty top notch--worth the money if you're looking for an upgrade. Honestly though, I try not to lean too much on my tuner, because everyone at the jam is always a little out of tune 😆. Kind of helps just to use the tuner as a reference, then trust your ear to best suit the musicians you're playing with. But in a perfect world we'd all have Petersons for sure, haha!
I once saw Chet Atkins jamming with Doc Watson and a few others and he needed to tune his guitar. Chet held his nose against the guitar and tuned it perfectly. Not sure if he had the ability to smell when a note is in tune 🤣 or he was just feeling the vibrations.
+1 on the tuner and the strap. I am generally too lazy to tune, the tuner makes it just so easy to do it . With the guitar strap, i can play standing up which helps me get in the performance mindset.
Totally! Super helpful items to have in your mando case!
Hey Team Mando ! My Washburn, has an end pin that is too small, so I just used a D’Addario elliptical end pin. Secure and black like my strap so it’s fashion acceptable.
I ordered the Pinegrove shoulder strap and because my mandolin has the large jack the adapter is a great thing for security, thanks Man!
Bro. I’m brand new to mandolin after having played guitar for a hundred years and not having a strap, I know I definitely need a strap. Holy neck-dive, Batman. 🦇
Interesting! A Mandoline is ordered and shall start soon to learn. Greetings from Germany!
I've tried Dampits, and I prefer the humidipak systems instead. Dampits inevitably drip a little inside your instrument, which isn't good. Most luthiers who work on violins and guitars that have had Dampits used on them notice that there's always water stains inside the instrument.
The tone guard sounds like a great idea! 😊
All excellent suggestions. Thanks, Dave, i hadn't thought about the t-shirt or the string winder. Have to get on those. Love your lessons and and videos with my morning coffee. Keep it up, please.
Glad you like them!
Fantastic video! Thank you for taking the time to do this!
Thanks so much, Nate! You're the best!
Thank you for your videos! I have bought today my first mandolin and I am learning a lot with you. It is very very different from guitars and ukes ;)
Rock on!
what did you buy?
The Micro NS Tuners are money! Have it for my mando and 2 guitars!
David, I have been thinking about buying a Tone Guard. According to your concise description, it is not really what I'm looking for. Do you know of an add-on for the back of my "A' mandolin that will keep it from sliding around on my abdominal area when I try to play fast compositions ? Thank you ! steve h
David thanks for all the mandolin tips, “Not including” the Blue Chip Pick, what pick would you recommend for us front porch pickers. Thank you
Pick comparison video to come soon!
Now, we all appreciate personal recommendations from respected performers. Always glad to hear them. However, do not deny yourself the joys of ManicMandoPick Acquisition Syndrome. Spend a hundred bucks or so, swap picks with friends, try as many brands and styles as you possibly can. After accumulating an assortment, try grabbing one out of a stack with your eyes closed, then test feel and sound while avoiding brand and cost biases. You may end up with a single favorite, a group of favorites, or even a list of best pick for each music style. Crazy? Well, it's a lot cheaper than ManicMando Acquisition Syndrome ...
Would a snap-on guitar tune work? Because I have one around the house - and why invest in another tuner if I don't have to! Thanks.
Getting ready to buy my first mandolin, just subscribed, thank you 👍.
Good advice for those who need it. How about some Mandolin MORNINGS tees?
Coming soon!
Hey man, love your videos. I know a set up is most important, but do you have any reasonably affordable mandolins you would recommend?
Thanks!
Check out Northfield Mandolins!
Regarding straps: I have read the term "cradle strap." What is that? Or to put it another way, how is a cradle strap different from a non-cradle strap? I have searched for an answer, but one eludes me!
String winder--indispensable! I had one for my guitar. Never without again.
What’s the name of the song playing in the background during the first minute of the video? It’s lovely!
Dampit is the bomb.
Hey David, would you please drop the name of the song in the background in the into and end of the video?:)
Love your videos so helpful for a newbie like me. Thank you.
What crazy pick is that? Looks super cool. An Apollo?
Can you recommend a lefthand mandolin?
Very cool gear head video for mandolin heads! Nice job David and well presented too. I hereby nominate you for 2021 IBMA Mandolin player of the year! (I mean I actually would if I could -- seriously). Has Jimmy Gaudreau ever been on Mandolin Mondays?
Ah thanks! I'm chuffed! Jimmy actually has done a Mandolin Mondays video: ruclips.net/video/stpv3Our1E0/видео.html
Pinegrove has really nice stuff and they make great gifts. (I don't work for them, I'm just a repeat customer)
I think it is fair to say the tone guard is not an enhancement. It only allows the instrument to sound without being muffled. If u have learned to hold the mandolin away from your body while playing, so u don't muffle the sound, it is of no use. 😅
Hey man I enjoyed it keep up the good work we appreciate you
very well explained. Thank you.
great info , i like that tuner , thanks for sharing !!
Glad you like it!
Very helpful and interesting. Thank you. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Merry Wido waltz
Great gadgets!! Thanks a lot!!
Glad you like them!
I normally play bass and modified a 3" wide bass strap to fit my mandolin. It does NOT move at all.
I've got a tanglewood union series tsmm that's more guitar shaped than mandolin shaped at a glance, having some trouble trying to find a hard case to fit it 💔 any thoughts/info?
Same problem with my Godin A8. I solved it by buying a rectangular case from a music shop, some foam from a specialist supplier and a hot-wire foam cutter. The case was already soft lined, but didn't have any shaped inserts for a particular model/style of mandolin. I was therefore able to fill the case with a matching rectangular block of foam, with the specific shape cut out to match the instrument.
Doing a quick web search for "rectangular musical instrument case" I see you can get reasonably priced cases which already contain foam. If it has "pick" foam you can pluck out the shape of the instrument without needing a hot-wire cutter.
Obviously a rectangular case has more space so you can cut extra compartments for other bits and pieces, such as a tuner, spare strings, picks, etc
I might add the need for a soft cloth to wipe down the mandolin and the strings.....there’s even a great cloth just for wiping down the strings.
Thank you!
Thank You, David!!!!
You're just flexing with the $850 case lol
Also, how do I get a cartoon David sticker!? :)
Stay tuned! (pun intended)
How do you cut vegetables with this one? There’s no guard on the front so be careful!
I want to buy this mandolin pl send details
Haha! Sorry, this one isn't for sale, but you can always put in an order from Oliver Apitius here: www.apitiusmandolins.com/
You don’t really need any if you have a strap, a tuner, a case, and a pick.
Pretty sure Mandolin Swag should be first, Amirite? I mean, how else will others know I play?
So true!
Hi, David! Appreciated this video the first time around, but came back to see if you showed your Apitius in the Hoffee case with the tone gard and armrest on. My Apitius will be done here in a couple months, and I have a tone gard and banjolit armrest for it. Just curious if it'll fit safely in the Hoffee with both installed.
I don’t even use a pick most of the time
Nice
Calton Cases till I die.
Nice! Yeah, got one of those for my Flatiron mandolin too! Another bomb proof case.
They are sweet. I can't afford them though. I have Crossrock fiberglass cases for my Iwamoto and for my JBovier. Not as awesome as the Calton or Hoffee, but good protection for a price I can afford. Way better than the Saga/Superior fiberglass cases. Fits with Tone Gard on and doesn't put pressure on the bridge.
Calton coffins, anyone?!
Contrary to conventional wisdom, I use gig bags. Not super cheap ones, reasonably substantial. However, I am not a touring pro (or any other type of pro) and don't carry instruments on airplanes. Since the early '90s, have carried instruments by car in gig bags without damage, just by exercising reasonable care. Also a LOT nicer to carry around festivals and music camps.
Arthur Mcbride
Great video!
I've personally heard how much the armrest affect to your playing in terms of strong accent (I play mostly Irish music so I need strong and definite accents)...what do you think about that?
Hey Andrea! Thanks for watching this video! I think armrests are useful for whatever style of music you're playing on the mandolin. Definitely worth checking out if you don't have one already!
Tôi muốn mua đàn mạng đo lin
travelling... airplanes...
Don't miss that too much, to be honest 😆
Not Dee Aderio. The name is pronounced Dah Dario. 🙂
Cool but 800+ case? Man how much is your mandolin?!
It's D'Addario, not Di Addario.
Pardon my Italian 😆
@@DavidBenedictMandolin Consider yourself pardoned, but it wouldn't kill you to learn to correctly pronounce the name of one of the most important companies in our little world... 🙂
Great accesories video! Check our mandoline cases!
Thank you! Will do!
Dee addario? I always pronounce it as daddario, which is the correct way to pronounce it.
Tone guard lol just learn how to hold a mandolin. Don't hold it like a guitar.