Boyfriendbirthdayfilter: Do you know anything about buying mandolins? Please hope me! [more inside]
posted by radioamy on Nov 3, 2009 - 21 answers

What 5-25 songs should I learn that will be most likely to come in handy at bluegrass/old-time music jams? [more inside]
posted by mzurer on Jul 18, 2009 - 14 answers

I have just been gifted a beloved and much missed late relative's 8-string banjo mandolin. The relative bought the instrument (used) in the early-mid 1970s and died soon after. Despite googling the universe I cannot find out anything about the instrument or maker. On the head it says "Wayne" in a horizontal scroll and then vertically underneath, "Dixie". I'd love to know more about the instrument. Anyone heard of Wayne Dixie banjo mandolins?
posted by Kerasia on Jul 13, 2009 - 7 answers

i want to listen to a radio commercial without the words. [more inside]
posted by stubby phillips on Jun 22, 2009 - 3 answers

Nervous mandolinist looking for the friendliest old-time session in NYC. [more inside]
posted by nebulawindphone on May 9, 2009 - 9 answers

I really like Paul Kelly's mandolin recording, "Varmland Waltz," on the muji website. Help me learn to play similar music, either from sheetmusic or by ear from recordings, on my mandolin. I've got jig skillz and reel skillz, so I can handle music that's intermediate to challenging, I guess.
posted by billtron on May 9, 2009 - 2 answers

I'm interested in mandolins. Not the instrument, the cooking utensil. Is it all that it's cracked up to be? [more inside]
posted by Gordion Knott on Feb 13, 2009 - 34 answers

How should I go about learning to play the Octave Mandolin? [more inside]
posted by mjewkes on Jul 1, 2008 - 6 answers

I was gifted a mandolin for my birthday this past weekend. I already play guitar and bass. Mandolin, not so much. Tips, techniques and tricks are appreciated. [more inside]
posted by gnutron on May 20, 2008 - 8 answers

How do I 'open' the tailpiece on my mandolin to restring it? [more inside]
posted by inoculatedcities on Dec 12, 2007 - 1 answer

Help me find a good beginner's mandolin? [more inside]
posted by inoculatedcities on Apr 18, 2007 - 15 answers

How do I convert guitar tabulature to mandolin tabs? [more inside]
posted by dhruva on Apr 3, 2007 - 22 answers

I'm looking for a bluegrass mandolin and/or guitar teacher in new york city - specifically someone near Columbia University or on the upper west side (or who would travel there for lessons). Have tried finding one on craig's list and looked at flyers at music stores. Any suggestions on how to find such a teacher, or knowledge of such a person?
posted by davidvan on Apr 21, 2006 - 9 answers

Will be traveling in Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen, and Beijing about a week from now. Any recommendations on where to find decent mandolins and guitars at good prices?
posted by ZenMasterThis on May 4, 2005 - 4 answers

Does anyone know of a site that has sound recordings (either for sale or download) of early American mandolin orchestras (early 20th century)? I've been looking at the Smithsonian and Library of Congress but haven't found much. I'm assuming that given the time period they would mostly have been recorded on wax cylinders.
posted by tommasz on Sep 8, 2004 - 2 answers

My cheap old mandolin, bought out of the back of a friend's truck for $20, just went kaput. Can anyone suggest a) a good mandolin that will cost me under $500, and/or b) a reputable online place to buy mandolins?
posted by UKnowForKids on Jan 30, 2004 - 8 answers