Christoph Penny - Posted - 04/06/2019:  14:35:30

My Crafter Mandolin has a built in preamp pickup and tuner, and I’m wondering about effects pedals, does anyone use effects pedals and if so what would be helpful please?

Mandodennis - Posted - 04/07/2019:  15:20:03

I'd say it depends on the type of music you play.



I do not use effects for any of the folk or traditional types of music I play these days. The mandolin sound does not really need any artificial enhancement. Generally all you need is an amplifier - acoustic guitar amp or PA system.  Many amps or mixers will have the reverb and delay effects built in - depending on the model.



But I have had an electric mandolin for the last 45 years or so. I first used it in a folk-rock setting which became more rock and blues band in short order. I used whatever pedals I had around at the time. Hey, it was the 70's. If Dash Crofts could do it ...



These days I occasionally plug it into the same multi-effects units I use for electric guitars - reverb, delay, chorus, overdrive, etc., etc.. The electric mandolin does enjoy some popularity in jam bands these days.  So I'd say go for it, if that's your thing -  and if you already have the gear on hand.   Otherwise I'd say save your money until you realize whether you need something like that. 

Hope that helps.

MandoTom2 - Posted - 04/07/2019:  16:28:42

I agree with Dennis on his suggestions...

What have pro players in the past done?

Led Zeppelin used mandolin on "Going to California"...

In their case, it was an acoustic, double-course mandolin like any bluegrass or folk player would use with simple reverb added...

Their mandolin was used for the effect of the mandolin itself with reverb minimized.

What about for a solid-bodied, single-course electric mandolin?

In either case, the final decision would be based on the taste of the player/performer.

I've transcribed and arranged quite a few rock tunes for acoustic mandolin (they're all posted here on the Hangout), but play them all with no amplification at all... It's a matter of taste and opinion... In the end, what would any effect really add to the sound of or the effect of the mandolin in the tunes you like to play?

I've played electric guitar since I was 8 years old (I'm 58+ now), and I've had buzz-illions of effects pedals over the years. Typically, it's a matter of acquiring a new toy, playing with it til you get tired of it and then searching for yet another new toy to play with. 

Young folks love 'em (effects pedals). The experienced old farts like me are impressed by the natural sound of the mandolin and the challenge of coming up with fun and cool arrangements for the instrument itself.

As a guy who's worked in and around music stores for close to 40 years, I can't tell you how many times I've heard old geezers say, "Wish I had all the money back that I spent on effects pedals (or other such items) over the last 40 years!"... And I'm not knocking effects pedals... They're fun to mess with... But, you do get tired of them.

Your family and friends will always be more impressed with your acquired playing skills than with the added effects, I'd pretty much guarantee...

But, experiment and have fun!

Now, you've got me wondering about mandolin through a 'wah-wah' pedal!

Tony Trischka (famous 5-string banjo player) played Earl Scruggs's "Reuben" and called it "Rueben's Wah" through a wah-wah pedal ...  It's weird, but cool in its own way.

Back to the arranging table!

MandoTom2

Edited by - MandoTom2 on 04/07/2019 16:30:41

MandoTom2 - Posted - 04/12/2019:  16:42:33

• "Reuben's Wah" - Earl Scruggs/Tony Trischka- CLICK HERE...

MandoTom2 - Posted - 04/12/2019:  17:04:26

Crazy Man Talking About A Pedalboard for His Mandolin! (Mildly Amusing)

Mandolin through Distortion Pedal - The fellow playing needs a mandolin lesson! 

Mandolin Playing Bass Riffs Through A Bass Pedal

Mandolin Through A Distortion Effect Pedal - The Best So Far...

Unfortunately, the above videos demonstrate ONE thing... Folks who are into effects pedals should spend more time actually LEARNING TO PLAY their respective instruments! 

There's so much good music out there that wasn't even written for a mandolin, but sounds killer-cool on one... Why waste your time with pedals???

I was not entertained by anything I saw in the above videos...

I'd advise these folks to spend their money on music-reading classes, ear-training classes and maybe some theory and music history classes...

Get some education and learn how to make your mandolin SING!

I guess I'm just an old geezer myself at this point, but pedals seem to be a distraction from what is required to become a REAL and good player...

An authentic player...

HARD WORK and EDUCATION...

OK. I'm off the soapbox!

MandoTom2