Buy Guitars, Banjos, and Mandolins
in Bangor, Maine
Trust Knapp’s Music Center for All Your Instrument Needs
Buy guitars, banjos, and mandolins in Bangor, Maine, at Knapp’s Music Center. We offer instrument service, instrument repair, new instrument sales, and used instrument sales. You can take your pick from a wide variety of new and used string-picked instruments in assorted brands. Choose from Breedlove, Aria, and other guitars, as well as various related instruments. Call (207) 947-8888 or (855) 870-8823 for more information. You can also contact us online.
How to Decide Between Playing a Guitar, Mandolin, and a Banjo
Maybe you want to learn an instrument, but cannot decide between the guitar, mandolin, or the banjo. With a vast variety of plucked string instruments, it might be hard to choose which one you want to learn. Musicians play all three instruments by plucking – with fingers or picks. They generally hold the guitar, banjo, and mandolin against their torso while standing, or on their laps when seated. While they certainly differ in significant ways, all three instruments have a few things in common, including:
The Guitar
The guitar is the most well-known plucked string instrument, and can serve both in a solo or band performance capacity. Typically, guitars have six strings, each with different thicknesses. The strings start at the instrument’s neck where they connect to tuning pegs. They run down the body and end at the bridge (a strip on the bottom half of the instrument’s front.) When plucking strings, vibrations transmit from the bridge, resonating all through the instrument’s top, side, back, and sound hole. The tuning pegs tighten and loosen the strings to change the pitch of the sound. The fretboard makes up the front side of the neck; frets are metal wires on the fretboard. Frets help fingers find the right spots to create chords. The three basic types of guitars include classical, acoustic, and electric.
The Mandolin
The Mandolin is like a mini guitar. It is small, and makes a high-pitched sound. The mandolin has eight strings, but plays like a four-stringed instrument. When you press one string down, you actually press two down simultaneously. The mandolin lends itself as a solo-played instrument more so than one played in a band of instruments. Because of its size, mandolins are great for smaller-handed instrumentalists to learn. Musicians usually play mandolins with a flat pick, but can play them with hard plastic thumb and fingerpicks.
The Banjo
Banjos are different than guitars and mandolins; they are round and make a twang sound. The number of banjo strings can change the instrument’s sound and playability. Six-stringed banjos are similar to guitars. The banjo’s backing gives more sound, making it easier to play outside or with other loud instruments. Generally speaking, banjos play best with an experienced player, though they can be easier to learn compared to mandolins. Banjo players either use fingerpicking or frailing (striking downward with a fingernail) to play their instruments.
The Guitar
The guitar is the most well-known plucked string instrument, and can serve both in a solo or band performance capacity. Typically, guitars have six strings, each with different thicknesses. The strings start at the instrument’s neck where they connect to tuning pegs. They run down the body and end at the bridge (a strip on the bottom half of the instrument’s front.) When plucking strings, vibrations transmit from the bridge, resonating all through the instrument’s top, side, back, and sound hole. The tuning pegs tighten and loosen the strings to change the pitch of the sound. The fretboard makes up the front side of the neck; frets are metal wires on the fretboard. Frets help fingers find the right spots to create chords. The three basic types of guitars include classical, acoustic, and electric.
The Mandolin
The Mandolin is like a mini guitar. It is small, and makes a high-pitched sound. The mandolin has eight strings, but plays like a four-stringed instrument. When you press one string down, you actually press two down simultaneously. The mandolin lends itself as a solo-played instrument more so than one played in a band of instruments. Because of its size, mandolins are great for smaller-handed instrumentalists to learn. Musicians usually play mandolins with a flat pick, but can play them with hard plastic thumb and fingerpicks.
The Banjo
Banjos are different than guitars and mandolins; they are round and make a twang sound. The number of banjo strings can change the instrument’s sound and playability. Six-stringed banjos are similar to guitars. The banjo’s backing gives more sound, making it easier to play outside or with other loud instruments. Generally speaking, banjos play best with an experienced player, though they can be easier to learn compared to mandolins. Banjo players either use fingerpicking or frailing (striking downward with a fingernail) to play their instruments.
Get Violins, Pianos, and More for Camden, Maine, and Belfast, Maine
You can do more than buy guitars, banjos, and mandolins at Knapp’s Music Center. Our specialty is pianos and keyboards. We also have selections of drums, orchestral instruments, woodwinds and brasswinds, both new and used. If you want a violin in Camden, Maine, or a piano in Belfast, Maine, we have a vast instrument inventory. We even teach guitar lessons.
Knapp’s Music Center Offers Our Customers More Than Instruments
At Knapp’s Music Center, we offer more than musical instruments. We also sell amplifiers and music accessories. If you need service and repairs on any of these instruments, we provide both as well. Give us a call or stop by if you live or work in:
Bar Harbor, Maine | Bangor, Maine | Belfast, Maine | Brewer, Maine | Bucksport, Maine | Camden, Maine | Ellsworth, Maine | Glenburn, Maine | Hampden, Maine | Hermon, Maine | Newport, Maine | Rockland, Maine | And surrounding areas
Contact Knapp’s Music Center Today
when you need to buy guitars, banjos, and mandolins in Bangor, Maine.
