Guess it's not as detrimental as last Christmas's recall of Chinese toys for lead paint, but we seem to have a defect issue of our own. We've sold over 1200 sets of the JM11 custom sets the last three years, and experienced a few intermittent manufacturing defects. We had some D string (.024w) core problems about a year ago on a couple dozen sets that seems to be resolved. We had some E string (.011) loop ends unravel occasionally, but it seems in the last batches we've sent out this has been chronic.

We've only too happy to replace these for JM customers, so if your string unravels before tuning to pitch (right around B), please let us know immediately. Richard Cocco Jr., of Labella strings is working on isolating the manufacturing issue, but until then, we are issuing replacements for those experiencing this frustration.

Occasional string defects like these are not uncommon with every manufacturer. The tens of thousands produced each day are daunting, especially for processes based on a centuries old, hand-wound care. We trust E&O Mari/Labella will get this worked out soon. They have to, we love these strings too much to use anything else!

Defective .011 pictured above

Contact us: Report E string Problem

Posted by Ted at 06:04 AM

December 29, 2007 | Mideando String Quartet

One of our recent interesting finds is MySpace friend, the Mideando String Quartet, hailing from Italy, an intriguing blend of European Folk music, Bluegrass, American Pop, and some original compositions. Using acoustic instruments as mandolin, octave mandolin, cello, guitar, bass guitar they create a truly unique sound, with an almost "rock star" attitude and delivery. The group recently performed at the 2007 IBMA after a successful US tour and nearly five years of consistent awards and accolades in the European Folk scene.

Check out four audio samples on their MySpace page: MQS

Artists' English text website

Posted by Ted at 06:07 AM

December 26, 2007 | Christmas 2008

Remembering the true "Reason for the Season," the celebration of the birth of Christ, we also hope everyone had a great Christmas in special time with family and friends. Did you get any cool mandolin related gear? It wasn't a mandolin, but we know one staff member's child is well on the way to an illustrative career in the world of frets.

Season's Greetings to all!

Posted by Ted at 06:19 AM

December 23, 2007 | Acoustic Vibes Music

Introducing an old friend with a new name: Acoustic Vibes Music, Arizona's premier "Acoustic Instrument Only" store has recently changed its name from Vintage Vibes Music. Owner Jeff Looker, who we had the pleasure of meeting personally at Summer NAMM has some of the best acoustic instruments ever made in his (Tempe) Phoenix showroom floor (click for hours), but does a healthy online business as well. We appreciate his sponsorship of the JazzMando website, and encourage you to look up his assortment of goodies for a place to spend your Santa Bucks this season.

Mandolins featured are Collings, Phoenix, Stella, Weber, Eastman, New-MAD, Breedlove, and some used treasures as well. (Doesn't get much better than this!) Check out the new website, and give Jeff a shout!

Website: Acoustic Music Vibes
Contact: Jeff Looker

Posted by Ted at 08:22 PM

December 20, 2007 | Two-point Wallpaper

We just added a cool shot to our mandolin "wallpaper" page. If you haven't seen this JazzMando eye candy already, it's a special computer desktop background page with some of the premier instruments featured in our Builder's Spotlight. Latest entry is the droolworthy Austin Clark Two-point Cherry Cola-burst we recently reviewed.

Check out some of the other desktop pictures: JazzMando Wallpaper.

Posted by Ted at 08:24 PM

December 18, 2007 | Christmas Greetings

Cool brief story from the Charlotte Observer's "25 Stories for the Holidays" about a mandolin given for Christmas by Dr. Bobby Jone's wife. "Just wrap it up every Christmas and give it to me again," he tells his wife. A musical instrument definitely has the capacity to keep on giving years beyond!

Read article: A sweet sound that turns new each year.

We'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season. Below is a cyber Christmas card from site author, Ted Eschliman:

Posted by Ted at 05:49 AM

December 16, 2007 | Bruce Clausen

We've recently been impressed with the mandolin talents of muti-instrumentalist Bruce Clausen in his performance with flutist Tom Keenlyside, pandeiro Phil Belanger, and guitarist John Miller in a YouTube captured video of his original Choro, Combustiblidade, from the BC String Workshop earlier this year in August.

Miller, of course is a major talent in his own right; we had the privilege of seeing and hearing him live a couple years ago with John Reischman. Bruce does a terrific job on the tune, and we're as captivated by his songsmithing as we are with his playing.

Enjoy: Combustiblidade

Posted by Ted at 10:15 PM

December 14, 2007 | FFcP Success

Once in a while, we just have to gloat. We received a rave review on our FFcP system from S.G. that we just have to share:

"O.k. I have been doing the FFcP scales now for about three months. I can play them smoothly in all four positions. I don't know yet where it is going to take me but I can say this; it has effected my musical understanding absolutely profoundly. My left hand has doubled its strength, my accuracy is actually sharp and succinct and now that I know the scales well enough I can start to focus not on the mechanics but on the notes themselves. I can pay attention to what note I am playing and can inspect it, find out if it is the 3rd,5th,root. It is like all these little autonomous bits of knowledge are coming starting to merge and the force merging them is the FFcP stuff. This is still a work in progress so I will keep you updated but I just wanted to thank you or all of you or whoever "you" are. Really, thank you. Your FFcP method/idea/exercise .......... well you know.

Thanks, S.G.! This is what we try to accomplish with this unique approach to mandolinning. It's not just a "physical" thing; when done regularly, the "mental" or even the subliminal starts to work for you. We've had a number of similar responses talk of the phenomenon of "notes just appearing in my hands." If you've been struggling with these, keep at it. They work!

Introduction to FFcP.

More with FFcP: Advanced FFcP

Posted by Ted at 08:16 PM

December 12, 2007 | Luthiers Consortium (2008)

Most musicians are aware of the winter US NAMM Show. January 17-20 in Anaheim, CA, a gathering of some of the coolest new gear and industry personalities; though it's an "industry only" event, there are plenty of opportunities for some interesting side activities, like the Luthiers Consortium, just a few blocks away from the convention center. One of our favorite builders (and JazzMando sponsor), Michael Lewis will be participating at this gathering of handmade instruments makers exhibiting after the NAMM show closes. It will be at the The Islander, 424 Katella (new location this year); plan to come see and play some killer guitars and mandolins. Premium wood and strings, plenty of picking, some personalities in impromptu jams, there may be an adult beverage or two as well.

We hope to have one of our staff reporters there to check in.

Read Michael Lewis review.

Posted by Ted at 05:43 AM

December 09, 2007 | Norman Levine passes.

Regrets. Sad to hear of the passing of legendary mandolin catalyst, Norman Levine. This great man had inarguably, huge impact on the contemporary history of the mandolin. Publisher of the long running, Mandolin Quarterly, financial and spiritual impresario of the mandolin world, there are many of today's topnotch players who say they owe their career to Norman.

A huge heart for education, Levine single handedly spearheaded scholarship funds and unselfish personal financial contributions to upcoming artists through workshops, clinics, and concerts. We are very lucky to have had him, and we will most certainly miss him.

Posted by Ted at 08:49 PM

December 06, 2007 | Clark Review

As mentioned earlier, we just had the privilege of ten days with a lovely two-point mandolin from the impressive workbench of Idaho builder Austin Clark. Staff members were fighting over their chance to pick on this one, for sure!

The instrument was just out of the oven, and it sounded great. A few days of acclimation to weather (and player), it sounded even better and was obviously the work of a master builder who knew what it takes to craft a world-class mandolin.

Keep an eye on this rising star!

Read Review: Clark Two-point

Check out other Builders for the 21st Century.

Posted by Ted at 02:22 PM

December 04, 2007 | Dec 07 MandolinSessions

The new December MandolinSession.com issue is out, and this time we follow up our "Alternate Fingerings" topic with Part 2. Being able to solo on scales is helpful, arpeggios, too. The best course is a mixture of both, and we introduce how to use the Pentatonic scales through our FFcP approach.

It may be a little heavy on theory, but if you can deal with the concept of tonal centers, and aren't afraid of "horn keys," this will be right up your alley!

Read article: Alternate Fingerings Part 2; Incorporating the Four Pentatonic Fingerings

Review FFcP Pentatonics Exercise.

Posted by Ted at 05:48 PM

December 02, 2007 | Snap Jack Cables

We've become very attached to Snap Jack Cables. Or should we see "detached?"... New from Jodavi (Zzyzx), the answer to a Maiden's Pray for the plug-in multi-instrumentalist, a cable that detaches completely noise free, and can be plugged into multiple instruments/and or amps. We saw these at the recent NAMM show, and had to try for ourselves.

Let's say you've got two mandolins and a mandola, and you want to unplug before leaving the stage while someone is speaking or delivering a message (or praying in church). What we like is the ability to plug in and out of an amp without having to turn down the volume. With this, you also get the benefit of protecting amp or instrument if you step on the cable and nearly pull either off of a stand. View a Youtube video demonstration:

Snap Jack YouTube Demo

From a recent press release: " JODAVI, INC. HAS introduced the ZZYZX Snap Jack cable. The new patented cables uses OFC high-quality helical braided shield cables and neodymium magnets with gold-plated contacts. The result is noise-free dynamic sound.