Our age

[357mag]

I was suprised to see in the thread about what other instruments we play, the number of years many members have actually played an instrument.We seem to be a little older than I thought.
I was born 8/30/41 and will be 65 next month.

[Doug Edwards]

I'd be willing to speculate the majority of us are in that 45 - 55 range, judging from some of the post comments. I'm 52.

I did meet a 93 year old mandolin player from Kerrville last year at a festival. He said he had a group that played for the old folks in the nursing homes. His fiddler was 96.

[arbarnhart]

I'm a late '58 model, so at 46 I am not sure if I am vintage just yet.

[Ray Neuman]

Turns 50 this fall. And would not go back a DAY!

the aged professir

[John Flynn]

53 at the end of August

"I used to be young and foolish, but now I'm older."

[Loren Bailey]

I am an even three dozen

[Michael H Geimer]

I'll turn 35 next week.

[Karen Kay]

Topeka West High School class of 71
and Stafford High School class of 72

[357mag]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[barricwiley]

Turned 61 on the 17th!

[keymandoguy]

will be 69 October 9th started playing mandolin at age 65. Now play with a couple of local bands Some of our members are in there 80s. We do mostly nursing homes and Day care centers. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[B. T. Walker]

I was born when there were 49 states. I'm 46.

[stefeb]

59 going on 23.

[MANDOLINMYSTER]

I just turned 44 last week, another double digit age, first its 11, then double that 22, add 11 you got 33 add 11 you got 44, next add 11 you got 55 and so on........been playng mandolin for 14 years http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Steve Cantrell]

I'm 28 and I've been playing about a year.

[neal]

48 in September.

[Kirby161]

17
Sorry guys!
(Ive only been playing for 2 years though so I'm no chris thile.)

[JimD]

I turned 48 on the 5th of July.

I've played mando since age 12, guitar since age 7 and piano since 4 1/2. Everything else I've learned since then -- each new one gets much easier...

[Mando4Life]

31 and playing for about 3 years.

[gnelson651]

Will be turning 53 in September, going on 29 and holding.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[JimRichter]

37 (though w/ three kids ages 7, 4, and 4--yes, I have twins--I feel more like 55. Man the grey is coming in)

Jim

[Guitar Jeremy]

27

[smokyjon]

Well, I seem to be in a place where I'm glad to be but would rather not be. I'm 74 reaching fast for 75. Gotta pic faster but my brain won't talk to my fingers at a high rate of speed.

[newbreedbrian]

27

[johnwalser]

I was born during President Lincoln's first term........or at least my body feels that way some mornings. Turned sixty in February.
John

[Bruce Evans]

Close enough to 56 to start saying so.

I was born when there were 48 states.

[Pedal Steel Mike]

59. My birthday is January 11. I share my birthday with of all people, Rush Limbaugh http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Dale Ludewig]

55. 56 in October. How did this happen to all of us old boomers?

[Dale Ludewig]

Mike- my condolences.

[neal]

ditto..oops I mean "mine too".

[357mag]

Here,s some stats so far. Average age is 47.59. Collectively we have been playing for 1265 years. Man, we oughta be pretty good by now.
Smokyjon at 74....Saaalute!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Chris "Bucket" Thomas]

36

[Keith Newell]

48 on Monday http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[stevem]

Tall, dark and handsom, 28 yo seeks sultry blonde beauty with an oval hole.

[GnomeGrown]

wow, not too many young folks...

two dozen myself, but everyone assumes I have a few more years

[Tim Saxton]

I was born in 71 makes me 33. I've been playing for 3.5 years.

Tim

[Milan Christi]

53 - playing for two years as of today (no kidding.)

Hope this helps to up those averages - I'm starting to feel old.

[Keith Erickson]

In December I will be celebrating the 16th anniversary of my 21st Birthday http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[ourgang]

stevem

get 'er while you can enjoy 'er. I guess we're all looking for that one, but with an oval hole?? Play 'er all the way to the end. It's a great life if you don't weaken

Turned 59 in May. Still doing the festival scene, but on guitar. Nature dictates how old you get, but you deside when to grow up.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

turned the big four-o this year, though according to friends and acquaintances I look a bit younger. I've been playing since I was 15 and I've loved every minute of it. BAsed on the ages represented here it looks like I'll go on enjoying it a few more decades at least.

Best,
Daniel

[PhilGE]

At 43, I'm in the "prime" of my life (again). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Which reminds me of the old joke: "There are three kinds of mathematicians: those who can count and those who can't."

[JEStanek]

36 and playing for 3 years. I was born in 1969 when there was only the state of confusion. BTW, Pedal Steel may share a Birthday with Rush (bummer) but mine is April 1st. Really.

Jamie

[recklessmando]

Somewhere in that 45-55 category.

[FrankenMouse]

If I were a Martin mandolin, my serial number would be about 23150.

[Dale Ludewig]

FrankenMouse- you must use 6 digits or someone will think you're referring to the 31st of February.

[Brian Aldridge]

I will be 48 in September

[FrankenMouse]

Dale,

Feb 31st... isn't that Rod Serling's birthday?

Actually, I always thought it would be cool to be born on a Feb 30. You wouldn't celebrate your 20th birthday until 80 years had passed! It would be almost like being immortal.

[jim simpson]

51, I will be 52 on 10/04 good buddy!

[smokyjon]

Thanks 357mag. Darn it---I was hoping to be the youngest old codger here. Don't make me hold the bag you guys---got to be someone older than me.

[jbrwky]

Sorry John, A nubile 53 here.

[8ch(pl)]

I'm 56, next birthday is Jan 13th.

[banjomanva]

31 though sometimes i feel 131

[Ken Berner]

I fully expect to reach 70 during the first week this December, and have been picking mandolin since I turned sixty. I hope that will encourage someone to get started before it IS too late. I am blessed to be married to a lady who appreciates my efforts and progress made. Sometimes she has heard enough, for the moment, and starts searching for a Senior Citizen Day Care Center (I'll pick you up at 5:00, Honey). I play music with a wide variety of acoustic musicians in jams, a couple of bands in various venues; churches, schools, restaurants, nursing homes, etc. Life is good!

[HarmonyRexy]

I'll be 51 in September.
I've been blessed with a 7 year old son, my FIRST CHILD... I always say that I'm a Late Bloomer!

Karen K--I'm also of the Class of '72, Tawas Area High School. It was a very good year, wasn't it?!?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[slewfoot]

24 within a couple weeks. Looks like I'm on the younger end of the spectrum here. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandoman15]

I will turn 62...46 years from now http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[bnjrpkr]

I'm 52,but don't average me in with you mando pickers please. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandodebbie]

41 chronologically, 21 mentally.

[Rick Schmidlin]

22/10/54

[J. Mark Lane]

Happy Birthday, Keith.

I turned 48 on July 12.

[357mag]

Ken Berner, yer gonna be 70, huh? Saalute to you too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

EGADS! You only have 5 short years on me.
Time shure does fly when your having fun. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[fatt-dad]

fatt half-way-to-one-hundred dad

[Brad Weiss]

At last count, I'm 43. Mando playing for (almost) the last three. Shared birthday (day, not year!): Pete Townsend (WAY cooler than "the big fat idiot"!!)

[billkilpatrick]

i'll be 59 in spetember - 9/11 would you believe ... makes me a yankee doodle dandy of a different kind.

[drelb]

I young at heart 42...still acting inverse to my chronologic age though.

[mando_pete]

I hit 40 on March 31st of this year. Been playing something since I was 5, but the mandolin for only 4 years.

-- pete

[bluegrassjack2]

Born - 30/Oct/35

[Onesound]

56 on 11/25, though my wifs says (with a disgusted look on her face) that she's married to a child. Love it! Been playing mando since about 1980ish...

[mandoman15]

I young at heart 42...still acting inverse to my chronologic age though.
when you're 44 will you have to act your age?
sorry couldn't resist.

[Jim Rowland]

Man, Smoke Man...you're really gettin' up there!
Jim 73

[Bramble]

Happily celebrated my 50th this past May!

Picked up the mandolin about five years ago and still need a good teacher #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[Flyer]

Yet Another July Birthday Boy here...........

Just turned 54 on the 17th, been trying to play for 3years now, and still have trouble.....

Young Mind, Slow fingers......

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Mike

[diamond ace]

29 and dreading next november

[sgarrity]

Well my birthday is next Sunday. I'll be hittin 27

[bones12]

53 years here and all have been great. Doug

[flairbzzt]

43 in October. Playing for 35-36 of those. Learned from Dad who is still playing and just turned 79 on 7/16. He's been playing for 45 years.

[racuda]

It looks like I'm about average at a half century.

[Golman8]

I'm sixty-three, been playing the guitar since 55, not much better than I was in 56. Started the mandolin about 1990. I have never worked so hard at anything and not get much better. I still have hope of my "light cominmg on" some day and making vast improvement. G.B.

[Keith Newell]

Thanks for the birthday wishes Mark we are not to many days apart in age.
Keith
http://www.newellmandolins.com

[Songbird]

22 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Hal Loflin]

Turned 50 May 29th...Played acoustice guitar for 30 years...mandolin for two. Correction on the guitar years...Played guitar for 28 years...Have not picked up the guitar since I picked up the mandolin...

[Billiam]

I'm 46 years old.

I played a little mandolin in college, but never practiced enough to play well. #Sold my mando, didn't play for a couple of decades. #I started playing again in January, and this time I'm taking it a little more seriously, practicing regularly, making some progress, and I intend to stick with it.

22 years ago I married my college girlfriend. #Seven years later we called it quits, and I stayed single for some 14 years. #Exactly seven days and seven hours ago, I was standing in front of an altar marrying my ladyfriend of 10 years, and I intend to stick with her too!

[Bertram Henze]

Reaching 50 next January (yes, 11th).
Forced to play violin from age 10 to 19. Divorced from music after that for 8 years, then caught irish music virus, looked for an instrument (fiddle wouldn't do, too traumatic) and bought my first mandolin.

[Flatpick]

54. Unfortunately I've lived more years than I have left. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Flatpick

[Dennis Schubert]

Just another 54-year-old kid working to pay for his musical toys & joys...

[ShaneJ]

39....really, I'm not just saying that. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Scotti Adams]

41 years of age here...been playing since I was 12

[Hog on Ice]

50, but my wife says it's nice when our 9 year old granddaughter comes to visit because I have someone my own age to play with...

[LeonEvans]

46 and been playing for 27 years. Now that I have my Host C-5, I feel like I'm a kid again.

Leon

[AlanN]

49 reasons, all in a line...and my mando is 82, old #### http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[ira]

40 years old and playing mando for 3 years

[Spencer]

Just turned 62, been playing mandolin for about 33 years. My youngest son is almost 21 and plays rings around me, I guess that's progress!

Spencer

[garyblanchard]

I'll be 54 on July 31. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

[Kbone]

"50" but my wife says I look 39 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[withak]

26 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[fiddler]

64 and got my first mandolin about a year and a half ago. Wish it had been earlier!

[Moose]

65..., (an' it ain't a speed limit) - Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Joe F]

I'm in the middle of the pack at 52.

A friend once told me that if you can make it to 50 without growing up, you don't have to. #I think I succeeded!

[twaaang]

Just on the brink of 55, nice things happen to my pension formula next week! -- though with one son in college and another starting next year, I guess I'll still mind my manners here at work. Many insurance companies calculate age-changes at the mid-year, so I have referred to myself as 55 since Groundhog Day. Mandolin for about three years, banjo for thirty before that, and some guitar mixed in there somewhere. -- Paul

[mrchurch]

Turn 56 in November. Been attempting to learn mandolin for just over a year. #Encouraging to hear some others starting so late in life (I am not alone). #49ers hang in there.

Michael

[straight-a]

41 and seriously playing mandolin for two years.

[Wesley]

I had a false start many years ago but I picked it up again around 1999 and I've just turned 54. By the way - I also have a four year old son.

[jasona]

36, been "playing" for 3 years or so.

[Clyde Clevenger]

I'm 56, been playing mando for 8 years. Seems to be a large number of '49ers on this list. We had a '49er jam at Stevenson last weekend, seems to have been a very busy year for WW2 vets.

[kvk]

Missed livinging a US of less than fifty states by four months and four days. You do the math, I'm too old http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[WireBoy]

Another '49er here. #however, I am one of those whom frankenmouse earlier posted about. #a Feb 29 leap year kid! #I've had a lot of fun with my birthday. I've only had 12 of them. #when my olympic cycle bday rolls around we usually have a theme 'kids' party. #guitar since 71, mando 94, uke 98.

[duuuude]

53 in a couple months, been pickin' 3 years come new year's.

[Greydog]

My mando and I combine for 50 years of experience, but less than 2 together. #Mando is 1 year 8 months old and I'll be 49 next month.

[bluesmandolinman]

37
and even the newest mandolin I have is 30 years older than me http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

53..

I am quite surprised that the average age here is as high as it is. I suspected that the majority were 30-40..but that is not the case
h http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[jimbob]

Class of '72, Pampa High School Harvesters....no kidding, Harvesters....
51 years old, Dec 18, 1953. I share the day with Keith Richards, only he's 10 years older.

[elenbrandt-redux]

52 -- that's my story and i'm sticking to it.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Dixieland]

age 50....playing guitar for 4yrs. and mando for 2yrs.

[Ken Sager]

39 trips around the sun. I was awake for most of them. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[olgraypat]

Well, gee, I guess I'm not so old after all. Age 56, born in '49. I began playing guitar about 2 1/2 years ago and bought my first mandolin right around Thanksgiving last year. Prior to that, I had a false start trying to learn banjo about 25 years ago, and still play banjo a little.

[b.pat]

------ 59------ Just can't seem to think of anything funny to say about that !!

B.[gittin to old] Pat

[Slim Pickins]

3-1-35 70 years old. I loved to sing. Now can't remember the words to Happy Birthday. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Tom C]

1963 42yrs old

[TeleMark]

Wow, I'm a young'un! 36 this past May. Born just before Woodstock and the moon landing.

[Lee]

5/26/57 (but six weeks premature. Am I still a Gemini?)

[John Uhrig]

Turned 44 last month, had the mandolin about 5 years now, just had a new son this month

[jose250]

30 and been playing for about 6 months. Got a ways to go, don't ya think???http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[G'DAE]

51, played off and on for about 10 years. I'm also suprized at the average age, so far.

[Mike Bunting]

Got a Givens F5 in '78, had been playing a few years by then. I'm 60 this year.

[mad dawg]

According to my wife, I am 46 going on 25. (I think she meant this as an insult.)

[Fuzzyway]

59 this August. Have been accepting money for playing guitar for 30 some years. Mando about 4 years.

Fuzzy

[David M.]

42. Feel like 80 sometimes.

[jessboo]

old enough to know better

[biscuit]

52-- Been playing guitar about 5 years mandolin off and on about 2 years.

[Professor PT]

36. I've been feeling much older than that lately--mostly due to my kids!

[357mag]

Whew! So much for keeping stats. This has been quite a turn out. Pretty interesting,even at a glance that we tend to be a pretty "mature" group.
I know I am. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Clyde Clevenger]

8 49ers on here so far, haven't counted the others, but it seems I'm in good company. First song I learned to play on guitar was Norwegian Wood. Geez, that was almost 40 years ago, now I feel old.

[Plamen Ivanov]

Hello,

I think, there was such topic some (long) time ago. May be even on the old board. And as far as such kind of a topic is fated to be renewed periodically... I`m now 29.
In the old topic someone invented the term "young guns". I don`t know, if I`m still in this category. And it doesn`t matter in fact. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

That`s what really matters: http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Good luck!

[good_ol_al_61]

43 and doing well.

Played Baritone, Trumpet and B Flat Trombone 4th through 12th grade.

Picked up my first stringed instrument, mandolin, in late 2004. Only seriously tried to play it in the past six months. It is now in my blood and will be a lifelong partner.

Much easier to pack for a jam with the mandolin rather than a baritone, anyway! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Darren]

I'll be turning 30 in about two weeks.

My wife gave me a mando for my 24th birthday, I wondering if she'll be giving me one this year? - I doubt it.

[Dave Schimming]

Add me to the 54 year old Harley ridin', mando-guitar-banjo pickin' group.

[travers chandler]

I am 25...I have been playing mandolin about 12 years and guitar about 20....Lifelong bluegrasser....

[reindoggy]

51 (That's 357 in dog years. Woof!)
42 of them as a rosin scraper, a lot less as a guitarstrangler and mandomangler

Reindog

[pathfinder]

52. #The older I get, the faster the sign posts seem to fly by.

[Moose]

I apologize for the "interruption", but I gotta' say this re: the above post - "....the years go by like signs on the highway poles..."(Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever"). Now back to your regularly scheduled broadcast. Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[bratsche]

I'm just "a few weeks" shy of 51. I have the misfortune of sharing both my birthday and my childhood home town with famous first-class creeps. (I won't mention the date, the town, or the people in question, lest I turn the thread into a flamefest. LOL)!

bratsche

[otterly2k]

40
been playing guitar since 10
picked up mando at about 20 for a couple of years and then didn't play at all until about age 38...recent mando obsession is aobut 2 yrs.

[reindoggy]

- "....the years go by like signs on the highway poles..."(Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever").
"..the lines on the road just look like dots"
Hot Rod Lincoln

[Bill Van Liere]

52, Mandolin became my main instrument in about 1988. Wow, I never thought I fit around here cause I wasn't a young Bluegrasser

Just like my wife always tells me, wrong again

[RI-Grass]

43 and going strong. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Sal

[Gibsonman]

Be 60 in Oct. Can still work circles around most young guys, and love it.

[GMatt]

I'm up to 21. Man I'm getting so old.

[mythicfish]

Born in '44 .. that's 1944!
I think Roosevelt was still the Prez. Franklin, that is.
Oh my God ... I'm 61!

[mandroid]

I remember visiting Disneyland in Anaheim, as a kid, when it was surrounded by orange groves.
...and the road 'Avenue of the Giants' thru the ancient Redwood Forest was more than just a few trees deep.

[croonerexpress]

20

[Dale Ludewig]

This has been real interesting. There's a whole bunch of us that are 50+, or approaching it. So my question is, are the younger players (and there's a bunch out there from what I've seen) not attending the cafe, or not posting? Either one needs addressing. Also, and I suppose I should start this same thread on the builders' section. How old are the builders (not the companies!)? I shall go start such right now. That will be just as interesting, I think.:D

[jim_n_virginia]

just turned 47 last week (7/19)

... and can remember when gas was 20cents a gallon, cigarettes were 25 cents a pack, McDonalds had a commercial on TV bragging that for a dollar you could get a hamburger, fries and a coke and get change back, minimum wage was $1.65 an hour and your could buy a 3 bedroom ranch house for less than what it costs for a Gibson Master model mandolin.....

..... guess that makes me kinda old! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[omegaman]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

47. Started mandolin at 47. Started guitar at 45. Started living a richer life at 45. Thank you Gibson, Breedlove, and Rigel (Martin too).

[mandoJeremy]

29 and dreading the big 30!

[weathermandolin]

So my question is, are the younger players (and there's a bunch out there from what I've seen) not attending the cafe, or not posting? #Either one needs addressing.
I'm 27 and have been playing mando for 2 years.

About a year and a half ago, I stopped posting and started lurking, simply because too many of my posts were either ignored or not taken seriously since I was a "newbie".

This board almost reminds me of a bluegrass session, where you're expected to just chop in the background, add a few riffs when you can, and eventually the group will let you have that big break. #Sure, the occassional Pedal Steel Mike will show up and fit it instantly, but it seems rare for a young guy to show up, be respected and accepted. #So it's easier to just lurk. #Maybe I'm off base on this.

My 2 cents.

[Moose]

My dear "weathermandolin": I am not a "moderator" nor one of authority re: CAFE. However, I must take issue with your comments above ; I have been a long-time contributor to this CAFE ; In ALL my surfing, posting, lurking, reading and/or contributing to the CAFE, never ONCE have I picked-up on any/your shun-the-dumb-newbie theory. On the contrary.., I find most - if not ALL the active members of the CAFE Community - to go to great and patient "lengths" to welcome and help a "newbie" - whether someone be "senior" or a rank punk-rocker - both who desire to learn the instrument we call MANDOLIN and/or it's close-related 'cousins'(i.e. "zouk.., mandola.. etc.) - Perhaps one or two of your "posts" appeared to have been ignored, blown-away.., laughed-at scorned or tteated in a condescending manner. Perhaps it is/was - I suggest - YOUR own interpretation, "feeling" - or sense of rejection that prompted your - and I assure you - INCORRENT assumption. A nicer bunch of folks I doubt you'll find on ANY OTHER "forum"/website. May I suggest other's respond to this "thread" - I DO think I'm among "the few - we happy few!" - Regards, Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pathfinder]

I agree with Moose. #New threads sometimes die. #IMHO, it's generally for one of two reasons. #

Firstly, because they're too obscure and narrow (about whether anyone's going to an obscure event or has any knowledge about a mando built by an obscure builder). #If members have no input, the topic becomes its own "thread killer".

And secondly, because many 'new' threads have been repeated so often that most members just move past them. #Posters often neglect to do a search on their topic in the Cafe archives before starting a thread. #And even in these circumstances, a veteran Cafe member will usually chime in and provide a link to the topic at hand.

I can attest that I've occasionally logged on, just to reply to an orphaned thread which I didn't want the author to feel had been ignored. #And I've watched other Cafe members do so over the past two years.

One of the virtues that come with getting a 'bit longer in the tooth' is that we don't want to hurt anyone's feelings on this board. #Especially the newbies, because you guys will be carrying on the mandolin tradition 30-40 years from now when most of us (ahem) 'mature' players will be tuning up with the Angel Band #

Makes sense, don't it?

Don't take it so personal if one of your threads die quickly!

[weathermandolin]

Hey Moose,

That was a bit over the top. It was not my intent to knock the Cafe for its wealth of knowledge, people's willingness to help those who are new to the mando, or even their attitude toward other members, (which I can tell is genuine 99% of the time). I enjoy this site, and have learned a great deal from reading the information and opinions here.

I was merely adding my OPINION to shed some light to Dale's question. If you think that it was incorrectly obtained, then congratulations, you're the first person other than me to know what it is like to be me.

I was just curious whether any other lurkers had had their heads snapped off when they tried to join a discussion and therefore stayed lurkers or never became regular posters in the first place.

You raise some great points pathfinder.

I could probably get into it further, but I can see this is probably going to turn a very positive thread into a negative one.

[357mag]

well, I am a relative newbie here, and I cant say enough good things about this board. I have had some posts that didnt draw much attention, but thats just the nature of things on these boards.
I am a moderator on a firearms board and I can tell you the ebb and flow of responses is exactly the same as here. There is a certain unpredictability any time anyone post. veteran or newbie. It is nothing personel.

[Dale Ludewig]

Weathermandolin- IMHO, don't stop talking about your concerns as a poster. I'm sure there's others who have similar feelings, for whatever reason. I'm no moderator either, but I'm glad you brought up what you did. It's precisely why I said what I did. This is one big group and I, personally, wouldn't want you to feel intimidated or unwelcome to make a comment because of any reason (unless it was intentionally demeaning to someone else). I also think it's possible that anyone can sometimes feel misunderstood or not taken seriously and that often "that feeling" can be a misunderstanding in and of itself. So- please don't stop posting your opinions, insights, information. As others have said, I think the cafe is one of the greatest things going with a whole bunch of very open sharing wonderful people, who often bare their souls to the masses. And usually the response is wonderfully supportive.

Now as to being a moderator on a firearms board, 357mag, I hope that none of the participants give out their home addresses.

[csstanley]

32 years old and been playing since December of last year.

Been playing guitar since 96 or so.

And will post what's on my mind and try and keep it as nice as I can. Keep posting, I wouldn't let a few dropped threads discourage ya. Let the Old Foagies know we're here.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Hey I posted in the Bluegrass about a local Festival happening and they ain't nobody posted to it. but it don't bother me. Just lets them know that I got something close to home, and if any of them want to come down next year, they gotta friend to stay with. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[J. Mark Lane]

Talk about over the top....jeez.

As the good Mr. Moose began...my dear weathermandolin... I was a newbie here myself not very long ago, and I can tell you, this board is the most friendly, honest, decent place I've ever found on the Internet...and I've been dealing with the Internet about as long as you've been alive.

I would suggest you have a good look at yourself, my friend... and start with your own post above. Anyone who responds like that to me, after I offer a friendly "invite" like Moose did, will not get invited a second time.

No hard feelings, nothing personal, and if your skin is of even ordinary thickness, we'll move on and do great things here. But I would suggest you lighten up a bit.

[357mag]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[good_ol_al_61]

weathermandolin:

As a fellow newbie, please allow me to help dispell your reservations.

This is the greatest board on the internet that I have found. I have been on BBS's ever since 1989 when a 2400 baud modem was all that was available. Scott and his helpers keep this board under control at all times and takes an active part in the discussions himself.

As for the traffic on your posts, it is hit-and-miss on the subject matter. I have posted threads with 0 responses and threads with thousands of responses. But just because you do not have a response does not mean that other people dislike what you write. Some probably act on the information you provide.

I have attended two festivals because of a post here that I did not reply to. I have also received unsolicited contributions for a veterans gethering I sponsored last year. I have met in person many people because of this board. Some have allowed me to play thier expensive mandolins even though I barely know the major chords. The people on this board are great.

Lastly, boards like this and email in general lacks a major component in communication...voice inflection. Sometimes if you do not craft your words just right or punctuate correctly, your meaning can change drastically causing a crash. It is very difficult to pick up the pieces when that happens (from experience). I have often called the person on the phone to correct the meaning of my words.

My 2 cents....keep posting. You will find yourself a part of a great community here.

[csstanley]

Some have allowed me to play thier expensive mandolins even though I barely know the major chords. The people on this board are great.
Here here on that.

Just this past early spring gibson had a clinic in Winston-Salem at one of their dealers.

I had just started coming on here and really didn't remember names that good. I had posted a little here and there but nothing big.

I went and saw a couple of guys playin around on some mando's so I walked up and listened to them for a while. They stopped and asked me my name. I told them who I was and that I had about the clinic from the mando cafe.

Immediately one of the guys remembered my name from a couple of posts and told me his. then the other told me his name. AlanN and Skip Kelly. I really didn't remember them that good. it seemed that I did remember their names in passing.

I also met Big Joe who was sitting with them and letting them play his toys. At the end of one their runs Alan looked up and asked me to join in. He handed me Big Joes DMM, and OHHHHHHHHHHH did the chill bumps come up.

Not only did I get to play that one but also his prototype Gibson with X bracing. (By the way, if Big Joe is lurking, what's going on with that one?) Point is, just because all your posts are being answered to doesn't mean that people aren't taking note.

This is a GREAT group. And a lot is to be learned from the group.

And hey, for the rest. Let him vent a little, it's good for the soul. So don't send him down the road altogether for venting a little.

NOW, back to http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[J. Mark Lane]

OK, Chris. You're right, of course. Carry on.

[luckylarue]

Weathermandolin, remember: It's all virtual here on the cafe, so I wouldn't take anything too personal. I love the folks who announce they're "leaving" the cafe for whatever reason. I dare any mando player to not click the homepage every once in awhile. G' ahead I double dare ya!

[JD Cowles]

34 and was thinkin about my foaginess until i read this thread. i'm jus' a spring chikkin!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Hal Loflin]

[QUOTEI was suprised to see in the thread about what other instruments we play, the number of years many members have actually played an instrument.We seem to be a little older than I thought.
I was born 8/30/41 and will be 65 next month. ]


Hey guys....Above is the original thread that 357mag posted. This is starting to get off track. It sounds like this should be taken to a new topic to be hashed out.

For those that are sensitive....No hard feelings....

[flairbzzt]

Maybe the age is older because many have kids who are grown and out of the house or college, and there's more income to spend on fun stuff at that stage of the game and more time to buy+sell, buy+sell, etc.. Strange theory?

[good_ol_al_61]

Flairbzzt:

Exactly my case here on the money side. Even though my daughter is in her last year of medical school. I can plan on those necessary expenses. She pays for all of the "extras".

A lot more personal time to devote to mandolin playing also. I have even picked bowling back up after a 20+ year layoff.

Man, life is good!

[Bobbie Dier]

I'm 47. Man does time fly.

[addcourt]

Aah--age is so relative! #My son turned 30 yesterday and is concerned about the aging process. #I turned 61 this year and look back with fond memories. #I had those same concerns that my son is now experiencing(career, family, world stabilty, etc.)when I was 30. #Every year is a good year if we keep things in perspective. I started playing music(clawhammer banjo)around 30 years ago--great stess management! #Regards, Mike

[man doh]

34 and was thinkin about my foaginess until i read this thread. #i'm jus' a spring chikkin!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
I was thinking the same thing. #I'm 31. #Mostly see 11 to 25 y/old hot shots at festivals. #I guess I still have a chance to learn this thing.

[kudzugypsy]

i'm a young healthy 36 - playing the mandolin since i was 22ish. what i've learned from the cafe is just amazing - as i "thought" i had a pretty good grasp on things before. it really is like getting a cup of coffee at the cafe and seeing what has been going on with the gang.

[mandoryan]

I'm a quarter century old now and will soon be 26 in October. Life is good in the mid 20's. Still got my hair and lots of energy...for now.

[flairbzzt]

Hey, watch the hair stuff!

[Chip Booth]

37 years here.

Mando's been my main instrument for not quite 2 years, though I knew open G,C and D for ten years before that, and had been known to play them in public for a song or two. I really shouldn't have, but that didn't stop me...

Chip

[Fred G]

44 next month... and a (step)grandpa to boot! playing about 6 years

[DryBones]

44 in about 2 weeks, just ordered my first mandolin..hope its not too late to learn.

[4-6-8]

I'm 16 years old, started playing guitar 3 years ago, got my first mandolin a few weeks ago (i love the damn thing, cant put it down!)

[Biggs2]

I'm 54 and have been playing guitar for 41 years and mando for only 6 months. I'm still trying to figure out both instruments.

[groveland]

I'm not saying. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Greenmando]

46 in a few weeks, been playing the b**jo and mandolin fair to middlin for over 35 years.

Talk about birth control, buy your boys a b**jo. No worries! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[levin4now]

When I fill out those surveys, I currently check the 25-35 or 30-40 category, and when they ask for annual household income, I'd be checking the "not enough" box.

[34 years and counting.]

[flairbzzt]

I'm too old to remember how old I am....what was the question again?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Scott Schmidt]

I'm 19 and I've been playing mando since I was 10.

[eastcarterman]

23 years old, pickin and grinnin for for 1 year; does it get any easier?

[Gail Hester]

Hi All, the Hester's here. Chuck, just turned 48 and has been playing for most of that. Gail, just turned 47 (much younger looking than that). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I've been building mandolins for several years and have learned so much from everyone here.

[Staramouche]

I'm three years passed my 33 1/3 birthday (Vinyl Anniversery) and have been playing mando for close to two years now. I guess the next big ones will be 45 and 72.

I still remember the shocked look on my younger girlfriend's face when I flipped the record..."You mean those things play on both sides?"

[bratsche]

I guess the next big ones will be 45 and 72.


You mean 78. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #

That's what all the ones I had as a kid were. #Ay, ay! #Heavy, brittle things that shattered into a million pieces if you looked at them wrong. #Guess you're too young to remember...

bratsche http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Staramouche]

Whoopsie!
I reckon it is 78 speed...is that when the Chipmunks start singing?

[Jim Yates]

Like Mythicfish, I'm 61; older than any of my instruments, but my wife has a 1921 O-18 and a 1944 guitar/mandolin player.

[Evets]

"As old as my tongue, and a little older than my teeth"- Chris Cringle
48, but I don't feel a day over 75!

[Greg H.]

46, though my son has been well trained to insist that I'm 29 (now I just have to figure out how to explain the fact that most of the hair I have left is turning gray) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[DryBones]

I'm 16 years old, started playing guitar 3 years ago, got my first mandolin a few weeks ago (i love the damn thing, cant put it down!)
darn thing..don't you mean darn thing...your momma know you talk that way?... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jesse5300]

21 here been play'n since i was 11 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Neil Gladd]

50 next month, and playing mandolin since I was 18.

[Steve Farling]

Another 49er here! Will turn 56 in Sept. Been playing Mando for 1 1/2 years now and lovin it! Sold a Morgan Monroe MCM-TB, a knife collection, a really nice pool Que, a couple of pistols, an old electric bass guitar, and an Ovation acoustic electric to buy my Gibson last fall. I guess you could say I'm hooked!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Steve L]

I turn 50 this Saturday. Among the cards and bills that came in the mail the other day was an invitation to join AARP. Thank God for music!

[Dan Adams]

I'm only as old as my most recent mandolin purchase. I must be just a bit over two years old! That first mandolin is older than a lot of members here on this post. Although I bought my first new mandolin a few months over thirty years ago, and I was seventeen at the time.

Do the math!! Dan

[bluegrassplayer]

I turned 14 two monthes ago and I've been playing for 4 years.The mandolin was the first instrument that I played and I don't plan on stopping. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Patrick Gunning]

19

...disturbed that Chris Thile has been playing 3 years longer than I've been alive...

[cbogle]

Hey Steve L--
Embrace that invitation to the AARP, pay the dues, and take advantage of those discounts (if only they could negotiate deals on gasoline)! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Oh, and I turned 51 last March.

Steve D.

[Jackie Walters]

I'm 46, a mother of 2. I've been playing mandolin for 3 years now...Making music with my two bestfriends now going on 2 years. Can't wait to see how good I'll be when I'm 50!
Angelfire..

[JGWoods]

Nigh on 60, height 4 feet 32, weight 23 stone
9 mandolins
6 banjos
2 fiddles
1 guitar
1 wife
no money
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mando bandage]

FrankenMouse- you must use 6 digits or someone will think you're referring to the 31st of February.


I actually saw a tombstone today recording a date of death of February 31, 1869. No kidding.

BTW, 48, been playing 3.5 years, and talked the BMV clerk into marking "brown" instead of "gray" on the driver's license one last time.

R

[angrymandolinist]

19.

[generankin]

Started playing mando just short of 64.5, will hit 65 on 9/29/05. Learning new tunes was frustrating in 1949 when I had a short courtship with the violin, no less so in 2005.

A CheeseHead

[kidtwist]

I'm 40, but I'm not a mandolin player yet, so maybe I don't count.

[berkeleymando]

35 here, started playing mandolin at 19 ... with a few lengthy periods of inactivity until about 5 years ago when I got more active with the mandolin once again. Thanks to the cafe, I have found several excellent instruments - which inspires me to play more.

[davestem]

28. Been playing mando for...um. Hm. 5 years? That's odd.

[Keith Wallen]

34 been playing for 19 years but it really doesn't seem that long. The cool thing is that the learning never stops but the ruts seem to get deeper (kinda in one now).

[Roydw3]

I am 37 and have been playing for almost 2 weeks now...yeah...and I definitely have that desire that others joke about...I have already bought my second mandolin and have looked at several others I want to order, including the desire to build my own...this is worse than drugs (not that I have taken drugs, I just mean it is addicting)

I just bought my kids guitars and have begun to teach them...

I really wish I could take mandolin lessons, but there isn't anybody in Odessa, TX that teaches...or at least that is what all the music stores say and the local bluegrass association agrees...if you know about anybody in West Texas that teaches, let me know

T

[psann]

60 I have been playing four years. Not starting many many years earlier is probably one of my greatest regrets. I love it. But...........as an acquaintance said when everyone was aghast that he tried skydiving on his 75th birthday "honey, it's just too late to do it younger"

Pat

[ronlane3]

I'm 36 and have been playing mandolin for 4 1/2 years now. #My only regret is not starting younger.

[Moose]

One of my "early-on" gigs was The Last Supper.. - I'll have it down better....next time around. (OK!!## - I'm 65 ; an' that's NOT a speed limit!) - Moose-the-old-picker'. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif