Introduction

[PCT57]

Hi - new to the forum.

I have played guitar for 30 years as a hobby and following an operation on my left wrist I was worried that I would not be able to play guitar again due to restrictions in rotation of the hand I noticed that a mandolin may be possible to play.

I rushed out and bought a Washburn M1-S for £90 which I doodled with but my heart was still with the guitar. As physio took effect I gradually got back to playing the guitar and the mando went up on top of the wardrobe in its cardboard box.

My guitar playing is now I suppose 'reasonable' however it is not what it was for various reasons and my enthusiasm has reduced.

A few weeks ago I took a trip to Spain and decided to take the mando to help keep my fingers moving. So I bought a tuition book and off I went.

I guess you know what's coming - since then I have develeped an intense interest in all things mando and I am fascinated with the sound, discovering mandolin music and styles and looks of mandos along with actually learning a new instrument and all that entails.

I have two nice guitars (Martin 00016 and Larrivee OM-50) and I am even considering trading one of them for a nice mandolin!! (subject to finding a dealer willing to do that in the UK).

Sorry to drag on and I hope to post some questions in the future.
__

[DryBones]

welcome to the dark-side. To resist is futile. As someone here once said: "you have been assimilated to the circle of fifths" http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pathfinder]

Welcome to the Cafe, Phil. #There's a reputable dealer in Brighton (Trevor) who'd probably consider one of your guitars on a trade-in. #He posts here and carries a good line of mandolins and guitars. # Here's a link to his store. BTW, I have no financial interest. #

Let's hope your wrist continues to improve. #The mando will help, no doubt!

http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/

[jk245]

Just think of your mando as a miniature guitar.

I started with the Washburn M1S also. It is a wonderful instrument for learning how to move your fretting fingers and to pick. Unfortunately the instrument has no sound body so that you sometimes have a hard time to hear the intended sound. I recently stepped up to a better sound quality mando and discovered a new voice. As you will learn on this board, every instrument has a different sound ability and only playing many models by many makers can you find your best fit. As you will soon determine by blind testing, the best instrument is often not necessarily the most expensive. Welcome aboard.