Instrument acquisition syndrome

[sstiner]

I know there is no cure for "Mas" but what about "IAS"?
i started to play the mandolin 8 months ago and I am still trying very hard but I probably will never be a lead picker in a band. I have found some great bluegrassers here in the mountains of Michigan and they all sound great playing at jams and on stage. i noticed that most of them do not have an upright bass player and all could use one so I am jumping into the bass world so I can do some playing in the group! Now I have "IAS". I am not going to give up the mandolin and one day this hack will own a "Weins" even if I just hang it on the wall like the art that it is...I will own one, someday.
In the mean time I am getting a Englehardt ES-1 from Fretwire out of Va. and hope that I pick it up quickly so I can be a part of the bluegrass band world here in the high mountains of the great white north.
Anyone else here come from or gone to the bass as a second instrument? How did you find it and any advice would be great. I can only thin that two beats a measure must be easier to learn than four and no pick direction to keep me off balance.
Any thought would be great.- Shawn http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[zakdl]

I hear ya. I too have the IAS. Don't feel bad - Since I started the mandolin, I've managed to aquire a penny whistle, a fiddle, an acoustic guitar and a semi-hollow 335 style electic guitar. I think it might be my various interests and 'advanced-beginner' personality trying to prevent me from growing on the mandolin. Similar to your groups-missing-a-base jam experience. Our groups miss a fiddle player...hence my fiddle investment. It's going to take a bit longer to get up to speed on that than a base, I fear. Like maybe 3-5 years.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Alex Fields]

I have a mandolin, a fiddle, a uke, a piano, a banjo, a bouzouki, and a balalaika, and I just placed an order for an octave mandolin and a mandocello. I had a five-string fiddle, sold it, and now really want another...and I badly want a hardanger fiddle. I also really want a mandolin with rosewood back and sides. So yeah I've got IAS. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[mcH]

I guess I have IAS too, because now I want a five string fiddle. I already have a collection of guitars, mandolins, violins, a viola, a mandola, and a string bass I acquired from the local high school [an old Kay they were getting ready to throw out because the band had no use for it].
But I do play the violins and mandolin on a regular basis. Decent 5 string fiddle's are hard to find!

[violmando]

I have over 30 different instruments, mostly strings, which I say is because I'm a school orchestra/class guitar teacher--HA! You know how it is....why do I own 4 different fiddles then, huh? Can't play them all at once, and what about 2 basses and 2 guitars? You've got the idea...I own stuff I keep MEANING to learn how to play, like a bajo sexto and a cuatro...Yep, I've got a BAD case of IAM!!! Let me know if you come across a support program, OK? Yvonne in Ohio.

[Steve Ostrander]

I used to play E-bass and I'm here to tell ya, it's a lot easier to tote a mandolin to a gig than a bass rig. I wouldn't mind thumping on a bass fiddle but I sure don't want to drag it around to practice.

[Rick Lindstrom]

I play bass in an oldtime dance band, and mandolin for my own amazement. I say go for it.

Rick

[shiloh]

I've adopted this mentality: Because I'll never be a great musician (which I finally admitted to myself, and believe me it is very disappointing)I'll just keep on acquiring instruments! But really, I like all types of music and enjoy working on all of it. The skills of learning one instrument transfer to another, and ultimately they all positively contribute to my mandolin playing! (I own too many instruments if that's possible - mandolin, mandola, dobro, mountain dulcimer, guitar, 'cello, viola da gamba, fiddle, tin whistle, bodhran...)....

Jill

[mandobsessed]

Well I have a mandolin, baritone uke, electric and acoustic guitars, resonator guitar, banjo, bass guitar, Turkish oud assorted jew's harps,, slide whistles and a bunch of harmonicas.

My wife says that any time a new instrument enters the house an old one has to go so my IAS is at an end and honestly I have lots to choose from now so who's complaining. (although I saw some wild saz's and bazoukis in Istanbul on our honeymoon.....)

[Barry Platnick]

Mandolin may be the worst thing to happen to my guitar collection...

[JeffD]

That I play:

four mandolins, two of them bowlbacks, a mandola, a fiddle


That I am learning to play, but not ready for prime time:

tenor guitar


That I don't play:

penny whistle, piano, banjo uke


That are not in condition to be played:

three mandolins, one repairable, the other two are wall art, tenor banjo that needs a fret job, banjolin in several pieces, oh, and a banjo made entirely out of car parts.


But I never considered that excessive. If you want excessive, see how many fishing rods I have!

[JeffD]

The only bass I would like at this point is a mando-bass.

[fiddlingdan]

I tell people that I have all the instruments I have so when they come to my house and don't bring a instrument I have one they can borrow so we can Jam. Thats my story and I'm sticking by it
Dan

[keymandoguy]

mandolins f style acoustic, electric a style, astyle round hole with pickup. Electric keyboard , accordian and a spanish archtop guitar with a dobro kit. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[entau]

I am with Fiddlingdan - have to keep a guitar and extra mando (or 6) around the house - Just in case - (bada bing bada boom)

but on the subject of BASS

I have 2 sons - 18 and 12 years old -
a few years ago I bought the elder a fender squire and the younger a fender bass
Now the elder does not really play his guitar - and that's OK - at least he gave it a try - but the younger -
he asked for a guitar and has really impressed me with his talents ( he loves punk - but he is trying to play hendrix - "foxy lady" and "fire" and doing pretty well just by ear)
so while he has really taken to the guitar - I keep telling him to stick with Bass - cause every where I go - guitar players ( and banjo, and mando) seem a dime a dozen - but a good bass player is hard to find-
seems any bass players I know play in several groups are quite busy musically
it also seems a trend that the bass players in groups often are muti-instrumentalist - look at Todd Phillips or Mark Schatz- so I think adding to the bass gene pool is a much neeed step in the right direction.

[carlnut]

I too am a beginner mandolin player as you can figure out by some of the questions I have asked on the cafe. My first and main instrument is a washtub bass. One of the places I usually jam, they need me there to help keep time because it is a fairly large group. It is so much fun you just can't believe it.I have worked hard to become the best tub player in my neck of the woods. If I can just make a little more progress on the mando and learn the fiddle.I have a fiddle,a freebe, but when I play, it sounds like a cat fight.

[Don Christy]

I started playing bass for similar reasons. I can play my mando at most jams, but not likely to ever be good enough to play lead in a band. Seems like bands always looking for a bass player.
Don

[CES]

I have over 30 different instruments, mostly strings, which I say is because I'm a school orchestra/class guitar teacher--HA! You know how it is....why do I own 4 different fiddles then, huh? #Can't play them all at once, and what about 2 basses and 2 guitars? #You've got the idea...I own stuff I keep MEANING to learn how to play, like a bajo sexto and a cuatro...Yep, I've got a BAD case of IAM!!! Let me know if you come across a support program, OK? Yvonne in Ohio.
Yvonne in Ohio,

No support group here...the only support/advice you'll get from us is to keep acquiring instruments!

[Alex of the North]

I caught a little flak in another thread for suggesting that the difference in tone between mandolins is relatively small, but it IS when you've got IAS. I started on violin, moved to mandolin, picked electric bass in high school (rock bands), bought an acoustic guitar in college, stopped playing for 10 years, stumbled onto the soprano ukulele, was compelled to buy a concert, tenor, and baritone sized uke, bought two new mandolins (my original from high school was unplayable), and now I desperately want the banjo versions of the mandolin and ukulele, plus I harbor a secret desire for a selmer-style tenor guitar or mandocello. There's really no end to it. I love significant differences in tone.

[chip]

Funny thing happened. Now that I'm playing in a band I've come to the realization that acquiring more instruments isn't a desire like it use to be. My Gibson F5-V just smokes the other mandolins I own and I don't even play the guitars I own, let alone the grand piano,banjo tenor guitar or accordion. Money just sitting in cases.

[gnelson651]

In my youth among the circle of my peers around here was the raging debate of Ford vs Chevy. The agruments you would hear are better built, more reliable, better resale, etc. If any one said "I buy Ford because it makes me a better driver," we'd all laugh his arse out of the parking lot. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[allenhopkins]

Over six dozen instruments -- the mandolins are just one category. I play them all, not all that well (I once joked that I've substituted versatility for virtuosity), and I use them in different situations. On the CD Bonnie Abrams and I just cut, I played mandolin, mandola, mandocello, resonator guitar, 5-string banjo, ukulele, 12-string guitar, harmonica, concertina and bass fiddle. I started with 5-string banjo about 45 years ago, and one just led to another. It's nice to be able to fill different roles, from country-dance-band bassist to klezmer mandolinist to back-up guitarist. And it keeps me busy.

I try to follow the "catch one, lose one" axiom, but I find the roster creeps on nonetheless. This year's acquisitions include a Regal Octofone, a National Havana wooden rssonator guitar, and an Eaastman mandocello. And there are some, honestly, that haven't been played in years, but they're sitting there waiting for their moments to come. And they will.

[JEStanek]

I have and play mando, concert uke, OM, jews harp...

Have but don't play... guitar, recorder, bodhran.

Would like to have (may or may not happen)... Mandocello (guitar shaped), Tenor Guitar, banjo uke, bed-pandolin, lap dulcimer, maybe even play French horn again...

Secret desire. Play upright bass like in a jazz band.

Secret shame I would love to frail on open back banjo.

More urgent needs - get my kids alive to and through college and have instruments for them. I'm happy that so far (7 years) there has never been a time where there was no instrument available for them to play, I'll keep it that way as I move from junkers up to good ones for them.

Jamie

[nolady]

mandolin, two djembe's, doumbek, table drum, harmonica, keyboard, assorted percussion instruments

also in the house but not mine: kit drum, more djembe's, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and probably some drum stuff i forgot

what else i want: fiddle, real piano (where it all started, thank you Momma), tongue drum, dulcimer and a honkin, big-###, taller-than-me bass (those funny pound signs after big- rhyme with bass. dang, been on this forum less than an hour and i' already censored) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[bassthumper]

first and foremost....i am a bass player.....that said the MAS is on me real hard.....to you i say learn the bass.... play the bass in jams....but don't be surprised if the mando becomes a secret passion.....

[catmandu2]

I find it far easier, when asked, to simply say that I play all the strings except for viola, cello and pedal steel (although I at one time played pedal steel).

[billkilpatrick]

tell me about it ...

5 bagpipes (1 medieval, 1 great highland and 3 ethnic bulgarian) ... 2 recorders ... 3 guitars (an ancient 12 string and 2 classical - rarely touched) ... 4 mandolins (mid-missouri, epiphone, antique bowl back and a resin-backed crafter) ... 2 guitalele's (love 'em - going to modify one into a baroque guitar or vihuela) ... 2 charangos ... 1 hualaycho ... 1 canary island timple ... 1 baritone ukulele ... 2 ouds ... and one noisey little banjo/ukulele thingy, somewhere at the back of the closet - #i'm giving away my ronrocco and i've thrown out an absolute dud of a saz.

... forgot harmonica and holder.

"i got it bad and that ain't good ... "

[Stephanie Reiser]

I am a mandolin player in a Bluegrass band, but have recently begun a folk music collaboration with another woman. So a steel string guitar is in order, which I am building myself, nearly finished. If this collaboration is successful I am thinking of adding an open-backed 5-string banjo to the mix. Then maybe a 12-string guitar. And hey, maybe another guitar tuned to an open C#. And although I use my F-5 in B-G, I want to use an F-4 for the folk thing.
Instrument aquisition has set in.

[catmandu2]

Here’s my crazy list . #At least they’re all acoustic except for one strat, one fretless bass guitar and one EUB:

guitars - ~15
banjos - ~10
mandolins - 6
CBOM - 3
saz, oud – 2
ukes - ~6
fiddles - 3
upright bass - 2
piano - 1
hammered dulcimers - 3
various accordions - 7
woodwinds - 2
drums & percussion - many
various misc. - ?...
___
= ADHD

...oh, and ~2K CDs #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

The crazy thing about it is that I try to play all of them, and all that that implies. #Alright the CD thing really is pathologic, but most of that happened when I was in college...we called it 'research' and justified it as amateur musicologists and graduate art history majors...

[bluesmandolinman]

same with me.... too many things to mention here !

I remember that one of the cafemembers uses the following signature which fits pretty well :

I shop better than I play http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[billkilpatrick]

Here’s my crazy list . #At least they’re all acoustic except a few:
i feel so much better ... thank you.

[Bob A]

14 bowlback mandolins, f4, unicorn f5, L&H A, H4 mandola, 12 assorted guitars, 8 assorted violins, 3 violas, a cello, a baglama, a couple recorders, a clarinet, a piano, a celesta, hammer dulcimer, and a set of bongos. What I lack in quality of playing I make up for in quantity. Soon failing eyesight, gradual deafness and arthritis will render this stuff, and myself, superfluous.

[Gutbucket]

I was going to collect Kettle Drums, but mandolins took up less room.

[sstiner]

Well I thought I was getting IAS bad but for some of you, I think its cronic. I guess all my fantasies of owning a Lute, bagpipes and a "Weins" are all possible.

I liked the statement that "I shop better than I play" I just want the guy who plays the instrument in the store for you to come with the instrument. It is the first and last time the instrument ever sounds that good!

Seems like I am in good company and I will strive to collect and be a closet picker of them all!!!!
Merry Christmas....Ends in "MAS" Oh...you just can't get away from it! - Shawn http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Griffis]

Wow. I don't feel so bad anymore. I had been berating myself for having too many instruments and being "player of many, master of none" and had considered seeling everything I have to buy one really nice, high-dollar instrument.

But you know, there's nothing wrong with playing a variety. I don't know if I would be happy just sticking to one thing, although at this stage in my life, and with limited time to practice, I think I'm done trying to pick up any MORE instruments to learn.

I have one 6-string acoustic, one tenor acoustic guitar, one tenor banjo, several ukuleles (including a resonator and a banjo-uke) and a banjo-mandolin on the way. I plan to get a regular woody mandolin early next year as well. Oh, and I have an assortment of harmonicas and kazoos.

I'm getting ready to switch my tenor guitar and banjo from CGDA tuning to GDAE.

I used to think this was a gratuitous amount of instruments, but reading these posts, I feel pretty good about it (not to mention since I've gone all-acoustic I have divested myself of tons of electric gear--guitars, basses, amps, effects pedals, analog synths, etc.)

[mandobsessed]

And so it comtinues....A good friend builds bnjos and is now building an open back 5 string Whyte Ladye for me....after that I'll have to get a fretless banjo, an actual lute (the oud is fretless and actually requires effort to play)

Lots of people on this thread seem to be getting inot frailing, its a hoot and easy as pie....

[catmandu2]

"player of many, master of none"...considered selling everything I have to buy one...
It's a struggle. Years ago I would stress over it, but I'm making more peace with it these days. It helps to assuage my compunction by making the effort to perform regularly--seems I'm better able to justify it all by sharing it with others.

But as the memory begins to go, so goes the capacity for more instruments with more fingerings/tuning systems. I thought altered tunings for guitar and banjo were a task to recall. Now there's this! http://www.skandola.de/tunings.html (Ican feel the SAS coming on http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif )

[Alex Fields]

Holy cr@p. After reading this thread I feel like a miser about instrument shopping. And I felt bad for wanting a second mandolin...

[Greg H.]

I really need to get my wife to read this thread (she's been getting after me to finish the attic and move the music room up there). Compared to some of you here I've barely scratched the surface.

My current collection (in order of purchase from newest to oldest):

Mandobird
Fender American Jazz bass
Gibson F5-FB
Rattlesnake F5
'65 Fender Telecaster
Tut Tayler A model mando kit (made sometime in the '70s but bought by me around '80)
'62 Martin D18
'74 Tennessee Walnut dreadnaught guitar
old student level fiddle


But then there's my 13 year old son's guitar collection including:

Fender stratocaster
Epiphone Les Paul copy
Ibenez electric (don't know the model on that one)
and he'll probably be buying a Seagull S6 acoustic guitar after Xmas.

My wife then has a banjo, but the only time it gets played are when I have a jam session going on or my son or I pick it up to play with.

Then my daughter:

1 full drum kit (soon to be moving on as it's just taking up space and not getting played).
Electric keyboard

upright piano--belongs to the whole family but she plays it the most (and is taking lessons on it).


We aren't counting amps here are we?. . . .

[mandohacker]

Boy, next to you all, I feel like a piker, with just one mando, a-style round soundhole Goya, and the guitar my dad bought me to learn when I was 13 (never did. . . ) #I also have a pennywhistle, with instruction book, bought as a souvenir of a visit to Ireland. #I'd love to get an Irish bouzouki, though, and do look at a lot of mandoporn http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif on ebay and the eye candy on this site. #Is that stage one IAS?

[Don Christy]

I feel like a complete amateur at this IAS now too!
My modest "collection" comprises
- cheap takemine guitar my grandma bought for $8 at yardsale
- harmonica
- cowbell
- nice strat
- decent old plywood bass from 1934
- 2 nice mandolins + 1 ok mandolin
- One really nice mandolin on order (Kimble!!!)
- One really nice electric mandolin about to be on order (Mann)
Don

[Treblemaker]

MAS, GAS, Gear Acquisition is like having a gambling addiction.
It occupies my idol time to browse Ebay, Craigslist and the Cafe Classifieds as well as the Classifieds at TalkBass.com and other forums as well...

I like to live by the old adage: Happiness isn't having what you want, it's wanting what you have.

Unfortunately pursuing, shopping, trying, testing, buying somehow makes me feel happier, but it's a poison pill... If only I could buy more talent? (Mr. Soundman, please turn up the talent knob...)

My personal musical instrument aresenal is more than adequate and I should spend more time earnestly woodshedding - (Actually I play out a hell of a lot so it's not like this stuff collects dust):

-2001 A. Lawrence Smart F5 #124
-1993 Flatiron Performer F with Fishman Transducer
-1980's ###### Jappy Yasuma A Mandolin
-1997 Martin HD28 with Fishman Elipse Blender
-2005 Martin Custom D35 with Italian Alpine Spruce Top & Forward Shifted Bracing
-2006 Martin LX Travel Guitar with Spruce Top
-1970's ###### Harmony Stella Archtop
-1986 Fender Tele with Lace Sensors and Custom Purple Streak Paint Job
-1978 Ibanez MC300 Musician Electric Guitar
-Lanikai Soprano Ukulele
-Lanikai Concert Uke
-1986 Johann Kessler German Upright Bass
-1986 Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass
-1950's Amati Label Student Fiddle (Handed down by a Favorite Uncle)
-1980's ###### Oscar Schmidt 5 String Banjo
-Casio 100 Voice Electronic Keyboard
-1972 Fender Twin Reverb (Pre CBS'd & with Master Volume)
-1986 Mesa Boogie Mark III
-2002 Polytone Mega Brute
-1995 Musitronics Maxi Mouse Amp
-2007 Eden 260WTX Bass Amp with Eden 210XLT Cabinet
-PA with Alesis Power Amp, Mackie Mixer, JBL Cabs, stands, Mics Cables blah blah blah
-Condensor and Dynamic Mics from Shure, Sennheiser, BLUE, MXL and Neumann
-Several Rack Enclosures containing Mic Pre's, Eq, Lexicon Reverb, Rack Tuners
Cabinets full of the usual and in some cases hard to find Vintage effects - Mutron, TC Electronics, Digitech, Boss, Ibanez, ProCo, DanElectro, Korg,

WHEN WILL IT END!!!!

(I am just glad I satisfied my Mandolin Jones with a Banjo Killing Lawrence Smart F5 - at least that part of my musical world is fullfilled).

Whoo - I am tired from having written this.

[CES]

Kentucky 675-S
Goldtone CC-100 OB 5-string
Guild D-40 Gui,tar
Korean "Ovation" (the "beater guitar")

I'd presently like to upgrade my mando, the banjo, and add a roundneck Dobro to the mix "for fun," but probably won't for a while just yet...I guess you could call me Ground Zero for IAS...there's a lot of desire there but I haven't yet progressed to the real pathology yet (though, I didn't mention I'm really taken with the Mandocello and want to add a decent electric guitar to the mix...).

[pickloser]

Couldn't resist my own IAS confession. I feel like I'm at a "meeting."

Eastman 915
cheap Epiphone mandolin
cheaper Washburn mandolin
1992 Martin D18
Conn classical guitar
Yamaha six string beater
Casio full size keyboard
Yamaha console piano
Martin tenor ukelele
Aria baritone ukelele
Fender stratocaster (hot & black)
Squire strat copy (blond)
Kasauga (yup, Kasauga) electric bass
Japanese copy of Gibson "Trini Lopez" hollow body
set of blues harps
set of pennywhistles
Oscar Schmidt autoharp
full drum set
congas
bongos
half dozen amps and PA

All I can promise is I won't buy another instrument today. (unless I run across a really good deal)

[aphillips]

OK I'll jump in too....

- Big Muddy M2 Mando
- Taylor 314-CE
- Baby Taylor - maple and spruce to match my M2
- Johnson JG-630 (not a bad sound for a $90 guitar)
- gemeinhardt flute
- studio grand piano

What's next banjo, harmonica, string bass?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif You all are bad influences.......:D

[fatt-dad]

-1980's ###### Jappy Yasuma A Mandolin
I actually had a Yasuma that I thought was pretty nice. All solid woods and bought for a very nice price. Played well and all. . . .

f-d

[Treblemaker]

I bought my Yasuma from Matt Malley probably sometime around 1990. Matt is now quite famous as the bass player for the Counting Crows and probably wouldn't know me if he met me... Regardless, the top of my Yasuma has flattened out considerably. There is no arch left in it and the bridge needs to be continually raised to make it playable.

This instrument is pretty with a very flamey tiger maple back - but it's dilemma is the classic case wherein the repair would cost much more than the instrument is worth. I bought it for a Benjamin way back when... The finish is also sort of seamless and if I did manage to have it rebraced and retopped it would take a miracle or a very skilled luthier to craft a clean repair job.

Compared with my Smart and Flatiron it is not on the same level, but, it was a good way to start down this long Mandolin Road.

-Treblemaker

[aphillips]

Does anyone have a banjuitar in the mix?

[Laura Leder]

Hi, Shawn,
You brought up an interesting topic.
I've found myself wanting to learn upright bass and fiddle also!
I'm glad I'm not alone!!
Laura http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[first string]

I play mandoin and tenor guitar. Or try to. I also strum a few cords on the six string from time to time. But I'd really love to add: octave mando/Irish bouzouki, mandola, a resonator tenor or OM, mandocello, electric mando/electric OM, tenor banjo, bodhran, dobro (though that would pretty much break my no fretless stringed instruments rule), and harmonica to the mix. I don't think my wallet or my skill as a musician will ever allow for all that though. But the point is, I don't think you are alone. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Chippster]

Ok, "Hi folks, i'm Chip and i love instruments"
"Hi Chip!"
I own a whole bunch of music stuff and somehow i've justified it ... somehow.
Old Epiphone/Gibson Mandolin - Venetian model
Gibson L-1 acoustic guitar
Takamine cutaway A/E
Godin Acousticaster
Fender FM62-e My main gigging mandolin
Custom made Jag-master - P90 fender clone
Fender Strat
Mandobird
Dano 12-string electric
And i just got a new 5-string electric from Andrew Jerman
It's a honey!
O yea, then there are the amps ...

[fatt-dad]

I'll give the countdown, but some of these are either wall hangers or unplayable:

six mandolins
two fiddles
five guitars (maybe more)
two accordians
one irish banjo (whatever you call the short-scale four string)
one four string banjo
one five string banjo
two saxiphones (sp)
a bugle
several band instruments that started their life with the kids. . . .

Most were discards from my father-in-law, including my 1930 Gibson L-1.

I really just play the mandolin and guitar and have no business with a fiddle or a banjo.

f-d

[Patrick Sylvest]

I just traded a Beard Dobro for a Weber Mandolin. Of course I have lots of instruments, but before I can finish telling you what I have I'll get an idea I need something different. So, what's the point. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

See, I have to edit this post. I want a fiddle, just can't figure out how to go about getting a decent one for little money.

[catmandu2]

I want a fiddle, just can't figure out how to go about getting a decent one for little money...
If you know what to look for, ebay. There are loads of good student models and you can score one for ~$100. I acquired my Scherl & Roth this way.

Or, alternatively, go down to the local shop that does band/orchestra rentals for schools--ask them for one. You can take your pick for under $200 probably, and it will be set-up (if not, get one that is).

[gnelson651]

Between my daughter and me, we have:

Daughter:

Three fiddles (I won one at a local festival)
Voila
Dean Edge bass
Keyboard
Drum set
Yamaha guitar

ME:

Morgan Monroe MMA-1 (starter)
Eastman 805 (main axe)
Eastman 514 (I'm loving the sound on an oval hole)
Fullerton Gloucester (camp/festival)
No name bowlback ($30 eBay but playable)
No name cheap banjo (replacement for a stolen '57 Gibson Mastertone-I rarely play anymore)

Would like an octave mandolin and lap dulcimer.

[olgraypat]

On the fiddle...call Steve at Gianna Violins...See if he can't fix you up with something.

[JeffD]

Just be glad we collect small things that often have their own cases, with handles on them. Perhaps this will calm the ire of intolerant spouses, to some extent anyway. It could be worse. A lot worse.


http://www.tomsihantiquetractors.com/collector_scenes.htm