I have a problem

[Alex Fields]

My problem is this: the SS Stewart mandolin I've been playing on will be sold in a few days, and I won't be getting my Daley until however long it takes for the varnishing process, which could be several months. Going without practice for a few months is just not an option for me, and neither is buying another one and having to sell it again really fast right before paying for the Daley, so I need to find a way to get a mandolin for a few months without buying it.

So I have a few ideas/questions/proposals...this kindof belongs in the classifieds but not really, but sorry if this is inappropriate for this board, if a moderator tells me so I'll gladly delete it.

1. I have a very nice fiddle which I will swap temporarily with anyone who has a (playable, well set up) spare mandolin. Would solve my problem and give someone else a chance to mess around on a nice fiddle.

2. If someone isn't interested in the fiddle but has a spare mandolin they could loan me, I would gladly give them a cheap ukulele I have as payment...I can't afford to pay cash for a loan unfortunately. I also have a balalaika with method book I could make a similar offer for maybe...

3. If anyone knows of another option I might have, I'd love to hear it! It's kindof my fault I'm in this situation but I'm at a loss and worried about not having a mandolin to play (I spend 6-8 hours a day with a mandolin if that tells you anything).

[mdlorenz]

where u located?

[recon]

Hey Alex,
Maybe Daley has a loaner around his shop that he would let you use until he finished your mandolin.

[jefflester]

where u located?
Johnson City, TN. Not everyone enters their location in their profile (the little button below each post that looks like a business card with a bust on it), by Alex has.

Down there
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[Alex Fields]

I was at Sim's shop today, he's got no finished mandolins around right now, Steffey took the only extra one he had lol. One strung up in the white but that's it.

I'm in northeast Tennessee, but if I were going to do a swap I'd pay for shipping if it were with someone long distance.

[Dave Hanson]

Why don't you just buy a cheapo until you get your Daley ? they're practically giving them away on eBay.

Dave H

[Alex Fields]

I want one that's good enough to play properly. Sound quality is not as important but playability is...I'm working on a lot of really intricate classical stuff so even minor problems are big differences. Also I am broke from instrument purchases and such and can't afford to tank fifty or a hundred bucks on a cheapo mandolin anyway.

[Philphool]

Unless you've got a secret method, it's likely to cost you $50-100 to ship two instruments two ways anyway.

Phil

[trevor]

Hang on to the SS Stewart?

[JEStanek]

It might be worth it to get a low end Kentucky well set up from Janet Davis or Elderly. If you're looking for playability and not tonal qualities that solution will only cost you $50 more than shipping instruments around and losing your uke or balalaika.

[billkilpatrick]

i think you should hang onto the ss stewart as well. you've got a few days left on the auction - you'll run the risk of upsetting those who've bid on it already but if the prospect of a mandolin-less couple of months were known, i'm sure everyone will forgive you.

or ... find an all-girl mandolin orchestra in your area and take h.l. menken's advise and wink appreciatively at the homeliest girl in it.

in like flynn - bill

[hoffmannia2k7]

give up playing?

[olgraypat]

Alex,

All I have available is a 1949 Martin Oval Hole, or my IV kit mando, but you're free to check either out and see if one would work for you...and who knows I might try the Balailika (sp?) or the uke....And I live right down the road. Send me a PM if you want. HOpefully something will work out better.

[Jonathan Peck]

It's kindof my fault I'm in this situation but I'm at a loss and worried about not having a mandolin to play (I spend 6-8 hours a day with a mandolin if that tells you anything).
Taking ownership of your financial decisions is a lesson best learned early in life. I think that I, or anyone else for that matter, would be doing you a major disservice by giving you the easy way out.

[Scott Tichenor]

I'm closing this discussion. Its served its purpose and enough people have seen it. We've had these come up in the past and for whatever reason, they've become problematic. I think some personal financial issues/decisions are best solved locally between family and friends.