Mandolins Given

[steve in tampa]

I gave my youngest brother who plays at guitar an Aria A body electric, and a friend who's last name is Alvarez an Alvarez A body electric for Christmas.

Both these guys always end up picking my manolin inthe corner when we get together, so I went out on e-bay and found a couple of decent mandos for them to start on for around 125 each.

Well worth it to me to see how happy they were, and now when I visit, they'll have one handy!

{edited to spell ChristMAS correctly)

[Stephen Perry]

I got a Trinity Bouzouki. Cool.

[JEStanek]

No mando. But I did get a Fluke! And not the intestinal parasite. And some books of tunes to learn on the mando. Hope you enjoy the zook Steve. I have a Trinity College Octave. Great voice.

Jamie

[John Rosett]

i gave a friend a guitar a few years ago. it was a yamaha FG-180 that i rescued from a pawn shop after a dear friend died. both of them are/were singer/guitarists who reminded me of each other. it wasn't christmas or anything, he needed a guitar, and it seemed like the thing to do.

[Bruce Evans]

I gave my wife a 6 string tenor uke this year. Two years ago she got a hammered dulcimer.

[James P]

My Eastman was a "spiffy" from a client. #I'd been looking for an inexpensive camping mando when he gave it to me. #It's way more mando than I needed or deserved, but it's really inspired me to play more. #
I need more clients like that guy. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #

Then, not too long after that, I bought a Breedlove fretless bass for a friend. #He'd been looking and this one was just too nice to leave in the store. #He ended up trading me a Classic 50 that I'd already had on more or less permanent loan. #I figure that left me down a couple hundred, but what the hell, I'd just been GIVEN a mandolin. #

[Roydw3]

I bought my mom a mandolin for Christmas. She had been wantint to learn so she thought she'd by a cheapy from ebay. She bought one of the $9 mandolins (toys really) that cost more to ship than they do to purchase. The first time she tried to tune it up the tailpiece cut the strings and the mandolin will not tune to even close to the right note. I bought her a mandolin, training books, dvd's, and about 10 cd's of various styles and musicians...with great mandolin solo's. She loved it and it was great to see her excited.

[dreamingtree41]

A little while ago I let my cousin have our guitar. Ever sense I got my hondo mando, cheep as it is, the ole guitar just didn't have the same appeal. Even my violin has been doing some dust collecting. It is great to give away instruments espessially when you know they will actually be using it. good ole cousin!

[357mag]

I got a Brentrup 23V.......................Just kidding http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Got a couple of nice shirts though http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[RJinRI]

My wife was benefactor of a completed IV kit...
http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=30607 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=30607)

[Pedal Steel Mike]

Not a gift, but the Soars'y mandocello I bought 2 months ago that has been in the repair shop getting set up was finally finished just in time for Chanukah.

[R. Kane]

I put the Breedlove Columbia that has languished in the classifieds into the hands of my new brother in law, a guitar player. Its a loan that I won't call, but he can give it back if he doesn't like playing the mandolin. And of course I gave him the url for the Cafe.

[Blueglass]

The greatest Christmas present I ever got was a mandolin from my father back when I was 22 years old. I loved it and although I don't have that mandolin anymore my love for picking has never died

[duuuude]

Just last night we were jammin' and I noticed my nephew's girlfriend foolin' around with an old mando I haven't picked up for over a year. Asked her if she wanted it and she 'bout fell all over herself, so I sent it home with her. Better it be played than collect dust.

[Willie]

I gave an import mandolin to a young man on his 14th birthday and after about another 14 years he is playing professionally, last I heard, with Dave Evans...That makes me feel good that an instrument that I didn`t play any more helped start a young man on his way, he also plays guitar, fiddle, banjo and bass...EAT YOUR HEART OUT...Willie

[MoxMox18]

i received a nice upgrade F-style mandolin from a local brand/guitar shop here in Richmond. Been playing nonstop since I got it from under the tree. Although I had asked for it, I was positive I wasn't going to get it. Its become somewhat of a tradition for me to ask for some outrageous, outlandish gift that will never come true (like the '49 Ford pickup that was forsale near my church...which I asked for my senior year of highschool....didn't get it).

anyways, I asked for this mandolin, but under the assumption it would be my joke gift...and asked instead for a case. So I unwrap the present, and its a case...like I asked for. Exciting as a case is, I remark how I need one of these...but then I open it...and see the nice sunburst finish on the top and proceed to flip out. Very excited about this mandolin.

[Keith Erickson]

My wife gave me a peg winder for Christmas http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

No more 45 minutes to an hour for changing strings http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif Cheers

[mandroid]

I got a lump of coal, if I didnt buy the lump, myself, all I'd have is the sock. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[good_ol_al_61]

About 16 months ago when I started my mandolin journey I had a Gold Tone GM-70, which is a good mid-range import to start out with. We sponsored a bible study at my home on Tuesday nights and as usual Mrs. Hart comes in about a half hour early. I was trying to find a couple of two-finger chords when I see her 84 year old eyes light up.

As she slowly made her way to my couch she was finding the couch with her hands because her eyes were riveted to the instrument. She exclaimed, "That's the prettiest mandolin I have ever seen". I was taken back that she knew what type of instrument it was. Because of her dimmed eyesight she asked what it a Gibson. Again I was taken back by her knowledge. I then stopped and asked her if she played. "Oh, yes, but it has been a while". I got up and handed her the mandolin. She was shaking more than normal...she was very nervous becuase she just knew the value of a good instrument and she didn't want to scratch it. I then calmed her down and explained that it is simply a tool to do a job..so don't worry about it.

She proceeded for the next 20 minutes to find the frets, hear the sounds and put a couple of notes together. Then in a very unpolished way she played a portion of Wildwood Flower. She had tears in her eyes. As you could imagine she was speechless. It was time to start the study, so I put the mando away, but I had a plan.

She didn't drive at night, so I offered to take her home. I let her pick for a few minutes after the study and slowly the group departed for home. When it was just Mrs. Hart, me and my wife I asked her to tell me her story. Short version is she played with her family when a little girl in the West Virginia coal mine region. The last time she played was when she got married at 18 years of age. Her abusive husband said that she didn't have time for such foolishness.

Since her husband has passed and she had plenty of time on her hands, I bought a Johnson A on eBay. I tuned it the best I could and gave it to her two weeks later. She again cried and just couldn't believe it. She didn't want to play it because as she said it was new and beautiful and she hadn't had a gift that nice...ever. I know that wasn't the case, but I felt her hands had been quiet for 66 years and that was long enough.

We have since gotten together and picked with some records I have that featured some old time songs she knew. You could see her frail hands and body be reivigorated with the energy of youth when she played. I am so sad that we have since moved from the area, but I do know that she is well and still picking that Johnson everyday.

I hope she thinks of me when she does.

[tiltman]

My wife and I don't have children so I am free to give my friend's kids obnoxious gifts.
I gave the gift of music this year - a buddy's four year old got a set of bongos and another friend's five year old got an accordian! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I'm hoping we can all get together and have a jam session!
Kirk

[John Rosett]

nice story.
no wonder they call you good ol' al.

[ohohman]

My wife gave me a mando, sort of. It is an IV kit. Coming along nicely, thanks to all of you who have gone before me and been generous enough to share your experiences.

Merry Christmas!

[Fred G]

Great story Al, I hope someday I get to do that for someone. It would be great to give someone the gift of a mando.

No mando received as a gift but I did really well this year. Tone Poets, Doc and Dawg DVD, Johnny Cash's Sun recordings and Ronny Mcoury's lesson DVD. I also recently got a Macintyre feather installed in my BRW while getting it setup and the frets polished and it is fantastic!
Happy holidays to all.

[blugrssmom]

I just gave my 10 year old grandaughter a brand new Cole mandolin. Ron's a dear friend of mine and made me one just for her. He even let her pick out back, made of beautiful one piece quilted maple. At Christmas time I was able to take her over to his shop and we got pictures of her with her mandolin in the making. We just picked up the finished mandolin for her last Saturday and she's playing two tunes on it already. It's got great tone, and it's going to be fun hearing it open up more and more as she plays it. I've started all my grandkids that are old enough and want to play on guitars and vocals. They all have the kids Martins and we're having a great time playing together, so I'm really excited to see them branching out and learning other instruments now. Ones learning fiddle, and now this other grandaughter is learning mandolin. It's very fun to have them beg to pick bluegrass with ole grandma. A dream come true having my family playing with me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[SpookyReverb]

My girlfriend is pretty awesome:
One christmas, I received a Fender acoustic guitar.
The next birthday? A really nice Fender Banjo.

Hot dang!

[mandolooter]

i've given 2 away so far and have 2 more Im workin on that are gonna be give-aways. Im learning how to fix a lot of different problems, turning some local kids on to mando and having fun too...it's money well spent!

[Markelberry]

An old female friend gave me my first mandolin a big deep bodied Hondo or something and my Mother gave me my first F model a Ibanez 524 and though I have neither one now I am still bangin away 21 years later.

[sonnyjammer]

A nice lady bought my 87 Flatiron F5 Master Model I listed on the cafe. She kept it hidden about four months to give to her husband for a Christmas gift. I thought that gentlemen must certainly be blessed to be married to a gal like that. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Markelberry]

I also gave a friend a Stradolin and it gets passed around alot when there rockin out.

[Mark Walker]

I've never given an instrument away, though about 10 years ago my father gave me an 1890's Sears & Roebuck fiddle that he bought in 1949 from some OLD guy who'd bought it brand-new. #My dad - in his youthful ignorance - but a heavy layer of shellac on the entire thing - but it STILL really barked. #I stripped the finish off it and sent it to Buddy Ratcliff (Ken Ratcliff's father - he of Silver Angel mandolins, as well as Steve Ratcliff's father - he of Ratcliff violins) and he took it apart, re-graduated the top, and re-finished it. #WOW - does it ever sound and look great now! #I was impressed - the guy is 90+ years old and is as spry as a kid and is an exceptional luthier!

Other than that, my folks never gave me any instruments. #I had to sneak my Dad's 1952 Gibson ES-125 acoustic electric out of his closet when he wasn't around, or his junker guitar out of the attic to play them! #So congrats to those giving (and receiving) mandolins and other instruments! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Keith Owen]

I have gotten 2 instruments as gifts from my lovely wife.

First was a 7 key set of Special 20 harmonicas. #I love the harp and am a (much) better harp player than mandolinist, at least as of yet.

The following year she got me my Fender 52 mandolin, which I have enjoyed but am now looking to upgrade. #She created a monster!

My son began learing to play guitar when he was 6 on a beat up Harmony that his aunt gave him. It was falling apart. So I did the same thing as above...gave him a new guitar case. He thought it was just a case, but inside was an Alvarez sunburst acoustic-electric...which is a pretty good intermediate axe which will last him until he buys his own Martin!

[Mattg]

The members of this web site overflow with good karma!!!

My uncle gave me two beat up old A style mandos in a plastic garbage sack. While one was not repairable, the other restored nicely. Not the best mando but I love it because it reminds me of my Uncle who is a really good man.

Of course I've given many instruments to my family as gifts but it's not the same as giving an instrument to a friend or extended family member. No matter what though, it's still one of the best gifts you can give to anyone.

The instructors for the mando building experience at rocky grass academy have build mandolins that are given to one of the youth participants at the end of the week. The look on the lucky kid's face is priceless!

[Greg H.]

When she was 6 I gave my daughter a Midmo Kidmo (8 string). Since then I've also given her an old Yamaha guitar I had as a kid, a drum kit (yes, a full trap set--thank goodness for solid core doors), and an electric piano. It's the piano that she seems to be sticking with the most but I haven't given up on making a mandolinist of her yet.

My son's a straight rocker so about 4 years ago we gave him one of the Squire sets for Xmas (with amp, tuner, Strat copy etc). Then two Christmases ago we added an Ibenez electric to the his collection (gotta have one with single coil and another with humbuckers!!!). Then two birthdays ago he got a small Marshall combo amp.

Yes, a lot of money spent, and some of these may get very limited playing time, but music is one area where I have a very hard time saying no (or perhaps I should say an easier time saying yes). And when you consider what most kids are getting at holidays (e.g. vidio games etc.) it seems even more easily justified.

[Mattg]

GregH

I couldn't agree more. Instruments (no matter what they are) are the gift that keeps on giving. Beats the heck out of a video game or something. I've gone pretty much the same route with my kids. My son's a rocker too. I'm thankful that he's interested in the classics: Hendrix, Page, Pink Floyd. It's all good. I'll never forget the first time we jammed. Wow. My daughter has taken over the piano. It's music to my ears! Pun intended. Now she wants a resonator guitar. I'm also making a violin for my wife. Family bluegrass band in the future? Maybe!

Upon reading my last post, I didn't want to give the impression or expectation that the Rocky Grass guys will give out a mando in the future. Just something I saw them do awhile back and I thought it was very cool. Such good folks those instructors!

Back to the thread. It doesn't surprise me that there are those who just simply give out mandos or other instruments to folks. Musicians tend to be generous and they express it in all kinds of ways. I'm continually amazed at how complete strangers, at various jam sessions, have been kind, patient, and generous in their attempts to help me learn to play the mandolin and the guitar.

[Santiago]

When I was in college I used to play violin with a few guitarists, and the acoustic guitar really interested me. Every time we stopped playing (in rehearsal) I would pick up the acoutic. I got to be a pain about it, and one day my friend gave me a guitar under the one condition that I learned it on my own time and not his! I played for the next 20 years, though I got a better guitar that summer.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bob A]

Gave away a few guitars and a mandolin. Highly recommended, especially for MAS sufferers. (Makes room for more).

[LeoR]

My wife bought me a 1940 D-18 from George Gruhn when I graduated from college (1981). Long time ago - they were almost affordable. It was $1300. Worth 10x that now.

Last December she bought me a Duff. Maybe it will be worth 10x what we paid for it in 25 years!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[jim simpson]

I thought this thread was about Givens mandolins! I guess if your given em away, it is.

[bones12]

Over the years as instruments have come through my hands, it has been very easy to give some away to people. Several of my daughter's friends have been interested in mandolin playing--it has always been very gratifying to give some away and get them playing. It has opened up new worlds to them and I never have regretted it. The mandolins get used alot. What can be finer than helping someone along in music? Guitars, ukes and such also have been given. My ususal request is to pass them along to others when and if they upgrade or change. Small favors and grass roots actions build great communities. How many of us have been helped along playing mandolin by other generous folks? Sharing instruments creates a larger community of musicians and that is good. Doug in Vermont

[musical mama]

I gave my husband an Oscar Schmidt autoharp for Christmas a few years back. #He started out to learn it, but it fell by the wayside; the musical interest is only in my side of the family , it seems.

On the flip side, this isn't about an instrument, but I traveled in song evangelism with my family for about 14 years. #I had a particular Peavey mic I always sang on. #When I got married and left the group, my Dad gave me the mic. #I'll never get rid of it!

[clarksavage]

Back in 1972, I was 18, I was given an old mandolin by a friend of my Dad. It had "floated around" in a home flooded during Hurricane Agnes (devastated Wilkes-Barre, PA in June of 1972). The case was muddy and the mandolin was dusty inside. It was a Gibson A4 from about 1926. I cleaned it up a little and used to carry it around with me everywhere (even hiking in the Appalachians!) It went with me in the rain and snow. In the last 34 years, I've played the frets down to nothing, finally getting full fret job just this year. It's been a great gift.

This year, when I reached "full" Professorship where I teach, my wife bought me an Eric Darnton Octave Mandolin. Another wonderful piece of wood.

[metalmandolin]

Around 1984, I had the pleasure of giving my cousin, a minister, a decent upper-end Harmony guitar (a sort-of D45 knockoff) and a Fred Snyder mandolin. Neither were killer instruments per se, but he is still enjoying them today and using them in his church.