Does anybody ever play mandolin lefty?

[jim stone]

I'm needing to find an instrument to play where i use my rt hand
to play tunes, not my left. I have an intermittently sore left index
finger... Need to give it a rest.

I've been playing mandolin a fair amount and it occurs to
me that I could set it up to finger the fretboard with my rt hand
(which is fine)
and pick with my left hand. This will of curse be a pain
in the neck, but I can play mandolin already and it
will be easier (and cheaper) than learning an entirely new instrument,
e.g. button box.

Will the mandolin fold up or be destroyed if strung this way?
Any info welcome. Thanks, Jim

[brewerpaul]

Stickwithwhistle for a month or two. I think it would take a long time to learn to play mando righty. In that time, playing whistle, which doesn't really stress your index finger, perhaps the left index would be good to go back to mando.
Are you using light strings? That might help.

[jim stone]

Thanks. I've played whistle for 8 years.
I really need to reduce the use of my left index.

[MTGuru]

Harmonica.

[jim stone]

Never!

Does anybody ever play mandolin lefty?
Can they be strung that way without damage?

Thanks.

[s1m0n]

Never!

Does anybody ever play mandolin lefty?
Can they be strung that way without damage?

Thanks.

The bracing looks symmetrical to me, and a tension calculator should show if each course exerts the same pull. You might need a new bridge and new nut, or maybe just new slots in both.

[jim stone]

Thanks, Jim

[buddhu]

What was your mandolin, Jim?

If it's an f-hole with a carved arch top then the "bracing" inside isn't actually so much structural as tonal. In fact the two struts are known as tonebars and they are specifically tuned for the bass and treble sides of the mando. Structural strength to resist downward bridge force from string tension comes from the carved dome of the arch.

I think there's a good chance the sound will be inferior if the instrument is strung left handed.

If it's a flat top with a couple of plain cross struts like some pancake/Army & Navy style mandolins then it's a safer bet.

Did you get a Collings, do I recall? If so, I'd vote: don't-mess-with-a-great-mandolin!

[jim stone]

Yes, I got the Collings. I continue to play it, too.
Sounds like I should leave it alone.

[brewerpaul]

If you expect this to be a temporary condition and can afford it, why not buy an inexpensive lefty mando and then sell it when you recover. Just a thought.

[crookedtune]

Jim, Wikipedia tells us, "The theremin is an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player."

I don't think it's been used in ITM before. This is your chance to become a true pioneer of the genre. Fame and fortune await, all thanks to a gimpy index finger. Some guys have all the luck.

[buddhu]

Yes, I got the Collings. I continue to play it, too.
Sounds like I should leave it alone.

Oh, I really would.

Paul's suggestion makes great sense to me. There are some very good inexpensive mandolins. I know Jeff Cowherd of J Bovier mandolins does lefties, and I think Eastman does too. There are probably others.

I would suggest seeking advice in the forum at http://www.mandolincafe.com. Lots of knowledge there - and some ITM/"Celtic" players!

[Tim2723]

Michael Kelly also offers left-handed models. But maybe you just need to rest and heal up for a while?

[MTGuru]

Autoharp!

[jim stone]

Thanks, everyone. I seem to have sprung for a button box,
the tune is played righty and I will ignore the chords.
This thread helped a lot in deciding the thing. Thanks again.