Calling all Mandolinists

[Joel]

How many of you all use an armrest? What do you feel the advantages/disadvantages are of having one?

[scrubber]

I like the feel of an armrest, so I use one. I've read that it's supposed to allow the top to vibrate better (by keeping the right arm off the instrument) and therefore yield a better sound, but I haven't noticed any difference in that regard...

[mnosretep]

an armrest would also prevent the oils in your skin from building up on the surface of the instrument, which in turn attracts and adheres dirt. That said, I have an area on my mando that is in need of constant cleaning because I do not use an armrest.

[Shenandoah Jim]

I use an armrest to protect the finish on my mando. I think it is more comfortable for my forearm than the instrument edge.

Any volume or tonal differences are not apparent.

[Gutbucket]

I've never tried one. Do they rattle at all? Rattles drive me nuts.

[scrubber]

It shouldn't rattle when properly installed -- give 'er a try!

[minnedolin]

I just began using an armrest and I am sold already. My incentive was not to prevent wear and tear so much as it was to prevent bad technique. By having my forearm rest (ever so gently) on the elevated armrest my picking hand wrist seems to be much more loose and more prone to chop in the spirit of shaking a dirty old dish rag. All hardware on my armrest is "safe-guarded" with cork so as not to scuff the wood and thereby creating a perfect tension so the armrest stays in place. If it is put on right, then there's no need to worry. As for the armrest, I have a dark stained KOA wood "Mclung" armrest made by Mr. Doug Edwards from somewheres in Texas. Very fine craftmanship, I paid roughly $35 all together. Check it out man. http://www.ntbbluegrass.com/mcclung.html

[Dub Martin]

Jim Jensma, proprietor of "Stars" Guitars in Cedar Rapids, IA, made an Ebony arm rest for his Lebeda F-5 that is a lot like the Doug Edwards models at minnedolin's link. The one Jim made sits on two cork-padded feet like a violin chin rest and uses clamp brackets from a violin chin rest. The arm rest clamps only at the very edge and, like the Edwards, is cantilevered so as not to touch any part of the vibrating top.

As mentioned, the main advantage of the arm rest seems to be that it allows correct picking posture without needing to cock the wrist so it isn't as tiring to play for long periods. Of course it also protects the instrument.