http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/ Mandolin - great stringed instrument Thu, 07 May 2009 14:07:07 GMT Kevin Lawton http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2851 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2851 Yeah, when the lute arrived in Italy it became known as the Almond, on account of the almond-shape of its body.  The Old Italian word for almond is 'Mandola'. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:07:18 GMT Jim Garber http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2850 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2850 Ambrose: One suggestion I have is to check out mandolincafe.com. That is ground zero (IMHO) for all things mandolin, no matter what your interest is. They have Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:20:59 GMT John Fine http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2849 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2849 Check out The Mandolin Cafe at www.mandolincafe.com    You will find an incredible amount of mandolin information there including learning aids. Also Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:11:18 GMT Richard http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2848 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2848 Hi Ambrose. Welcome to our group. I play with a group, and "jam" a lot. I play mostly hymns also. Try to play every day. I keep my my mando close and ready to Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:11:00 GMT Ambrose, Markella, Seraphim, George, and http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2847 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2847 Thanks for the interaction and input. Sorry it took so long to respond, A nasty cold hit me and Im just starting to feel better. Ive been looking a listening Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:14:12 GMT John Fine http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2846 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2846 A Strad-O-Lin is a great starter instrument, in fact many players never get anything else. It is what Paul Prestopino of Peter, Paul and Mary plays.   John in Sat, 04 Apr 2009 18:47:17 GMT Steven Smith http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2845 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2845 I like www.bluegrasscollege.org.  the mando section is really good if you like bluegrass.  good luck.  ` ` "The beauty of jazz is the blur between intent Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:47:37 GMT Kevin Lawton http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2844 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2844 Ambrose, in some ways I envy you as yoou have such a wonderful journey of discovery in front of you. In other ways, of course, I would not like to have missed Sat, 04 Apr 2009 13:04:14 GMT Ambrose, Markella, Seraphim, George, and http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2843 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2843 Well Im new to this list and the whole world of Mandolin Music alltogether so any advice for a brand new Musically challenged individual would be very helpful. Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:12:49 GMT Gary L. Smith http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2842 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2842 Judy, What John has said is correct. You must "setup" a mandolin to play easy enough and to sound like you want it to. As you have said be suspicious of an Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:58:37 GMT John Fine http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2841 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2841 Full Set up involves a number of things. The nut slots and nut height inspected, the truss rod may need to be adjusted, but most of all, the bridge needs to be Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:03:59 GMT Judy Garris http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2840 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2840 Gary et al , What do you mean by 'setting' it up? I am considering upgrading to a louder mandolin and I am looking for one online. I have a old A Martin - Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:25:09 GMT Gary L. Smith http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2839 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2839 Sharon, What a nice mom. As other replies have stated you should buy a beginners mandolin that has been setup properly. It just so happens I have a Epiphone Wed, 04 Mar 2009 03:24:59 GMT Richard Sanabia http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2838 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2838 Great advice John, as we are awash in new $100 mandos that are unplayable. I don't know how many I have had to set up or rework just to get them in the ball Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:13:38 GMT John Fine http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2837 http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/mandolin/message/2837 Most good mandolins will cost $500 or more (some are over $25,000) Paying only $100 to $150 for a good playable mandolin can be difficult, but not impossible.