Any romantic stories re: mandos?

[mandodebbie]

Are there any romantic stories involving mandolins? Have any of you boys (or gals) ever serenaded a sweetie - with or without wearing a clown suit? I bought my mando on a whim after popping into a nearby music store with my honey. There I saw it: an amber and chestnut coloured Hyburn for $150.00 Canadian. My relationship with my sweetheart has since ended. But a new romance with my mandolin has begun. I have practiced my instrument so well that I can now pick out the most depressing songs in note form instead of just chording to them. And I sing, too. Umm..NO he did not dump me because of my mando playing.

[Jonathan Reinhardt]

Once upon a time, at a festival, I was soundperson/mc and closed one day (had that perogative) with a single beautiful tune (solo) and won the heart of someone special.
moral - don't be afraid to push those boundaries.

[John Flynn]

This story is actually about a building a dulcimer for my wife for a romantic reason and with a romantic outcome, but it is tangentially related to the mandolin, because some of the luthiers on this site advised me on the building of it and therefore helped make it possible. Attached is the note I gave my wife with the dulcimer this past Christmas. It tells the story.

[mandoJeremy]

That is just too sweet man! #I hope to become that sort of husband one day! Of course I have to get married first!

[mandoJeremy]

AND, I must admit that you gave me a few tears on that one! Just very sweet and being that most musicians are very emotional, I appreciate the whole sharing of it.

[Brookside]

I've got one. When I was building my first mando I took over the dining room for a month. I had tools, material, and sawdust in every corner of the house. I disappeared into the basement for days at a time. I spent her birthday routing the binding channel. That evening she looked into my eyes and said, "any other girl would have dumped you by now."

It was so soooo sweet.

[John Rosett]

when my wife and i had just started dating, i serenaded her from a phone booth in the rain.
obviously, it worked.
john

[mandoJeremy]

Okay, I will spill the details then. #I met my current girlfriend while playing a show out in Washington State (no she's not a band groupie, it was a Christian Praise and Worship Conference!)and I do know, and did from first sight, that I will marry her. #She knew it too and we are hopefully looking at next year. Ahhh, romance; I love it!

[mandoJeremy]

Not to mention that I never believed in the whole love at first sight thing, but I guess it proved me wrong! And, I wasn't even looking for anyone at all!

[mandodebbie]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif All these stories are so lovely and sweet. I can only wish for a sweetheart- musician as romantic as you guys. (There's pretty slim pickings in this town.) Keep the stories coming, anyway. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[dixiecreek]

Ooh, oooh, I've got one!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

After a Nickel Creek concert back in April, I went over to the bus to see if I could meet the band. There was a decent sized group of people already hanging out there, and since the friends I'd come to the show with had no interest in hanging out after, I decided to make some new friends at the bus. I went up to this one guy who'd brought his mando for Chris to autograph and started talking mando with him. I ask him if he'd play me a song. He did. He told me he recognized me from this message board (from a few months ago when I posted a picture of me with Chris Thile). He told me his screen name on here, and I recognized his name. We hung out for like an hour, met the band, Chris played the guy's mando and autographed it, a roadie gave the guy 2 of Chris's picks (and the guy gave me one of them, hehe)... well then it was time to go home and I figured I'd never see or talk to the guy again, but he private messaged me on this very website a few nights later, and the rest is history.

We had our one month anniversary last saturday. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[rixter]

I guess this is kind of romantic. When I got married (as a non-mandolin player), I asked a female friend (a Kentucky gal) to come sing at our wedding. She was great, has the kind of voice that could totally saturate the little country church, and she accompanied herself with a black Gibson snakehead A (that matched her voice well, in both sweetness and volume). About a year after that, I had begun getting into mandolin a bit and was looking at the wedding video one time (checking out her picking) when I realized what kind of mando she had. I spoke to her after that and found that she wanted to sell that mando to me. So, to make a long story short, 17 years later, I still have the same mandolin and the same wife!

[Harrmob]

My wife hates my mandolins, and my music.

[Mark in Nevada City]

I have a mandolin that is near and dear and full of many stories! My Grandfather bought it in NYC while in the Navy during WWI. For either $18 in 1917 or $17 in 1918, my Dad can't remember which.

Anyway...When my folk were still dating (early '60s) my mom accidentally sat on the instrument while my father was out of the room. When he returned, my grandfather quickly stepped up to take the blame. He knew how important that mando was to his son and my dad was furious! The mando was repaired (pretty good job, considering) but it was many years later that my Dad learned the true story. Interesting to think I may not be here had this story gone another direction!

I wrote a song about this mando and I'll post the lyrics if anybody is interested.

cheers, mmm

[Unseen122]

I tried to win somone's heart with my mando playing once (also tried other instruments) but she didn't even notice http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif maybe next time I will do it somewhere where it is not that crowded.

[jessboo]

I traded into a 95 A5G Custom finish solid black. With the white binding on the top being the only thing to off set the black. It was love at first site! it's just a little angel

[grandmainger]

Well, out of nowhere, one day on ebay, I saw a mandolin with 2 hours to go.
Never played of any instrument, not knowing of any particualr musical talent...
No idea what got into me, I bid, won, went downtown to get a method, started playing, still playing, loving it!
I guess you could say mandolin really struck a chord (how cheesy is that line!)
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[PlayerOf8]

I"ve posted this one before, but it is the best I can do about love and the mandolin.

Back in the early '80s, tucked away on a little side street in Calumet City, was a tiny place called the Velvet Heart Cafe. Don't let the name fool you. The sign flashed "A Place For Lovers." Don't let that fool you either. The Velvet Heart was a place where lovers go to dump their current lovers, and #were wives go to tell their husbands that they are pregnant with another man's child. The kind of place Tom Waits might write a song about. Got the picture?

Gus Valos was the owner, and he got the bright idea of having strolling musicians while the people ate. Did you ever try to play Somewhere My Love (requested by the lady) while she is being told that she is being replaced by her younger sister?

This concept may have worked fine in another cafe, but not the Velvet Heart. There was always a police car parked out in front of the place. The place had a reputation for someone catching a dinner fork in the chest.

My good friend Fuzzy Thorton got me this gig. The first night, I agreed to play for dinner and tips. I made $0, and the prime rib wasn't so prime. The next night, I made $11.00. But following weekend I would have played for nothing! When is the next time I am going to hear a man tell his wife that there is a woman locked up inside of him, and he wants to start wearing her red pumps. ...And the colored girls go doot da doot da doot da doot.

Fuzzy was there the night some woman tried to perform open-heart surgery on her husband. There was just something about the back booth over by the window.

One New Year's Eve, Gus opened the place just for broken-hearted lovers. Fuzzy and I did a duet thing, but it was more like being on a Suicide Watch.
Fuzzy and I worked out all this neat little chops for songs like "Last Kiss", "Teen Angel", "Tell Laura I Love Her" and "Leader of the Pack." It really helped cheer the place up.

We were home by 12:30

[jaybee]

I serenaded my girl one time...didn't work...she married me anyway.

[mandoJeremy]

Hey grandmainger, did you watch Scrubs last night?

[muzicfreak]

How these damn topics come true to life... I was sitting at work.. I work at a graphic art school.. and I start talking to this pretty good looking girl coming in for an interview.. So we start talkin about piano and i said i didn't really care playing the piano and i play mandolin now.. 1st she ask me how i like the cold mountain soundtrack.. Very next question.. have you ever serenated anyone before lol i just started cracking up and said nope but i could:)
thought you would all enjoy that! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandodebbie]

Since yesterday was Canada Day, I picked out "Oh, Canada" on my mando. Everyone in my family was either too full of hotdogs or they actually love our country, because no one ran away. They should have at least stood up - it would have been more respectable. My brother did say "FACE OFF!" after my rendition. I guess that's about as good as it gets around here. Sorry, I'm rambling. I love my Canada.

[wannabethile]

hey dixiecreek!! that story is so awesome!! its so crazy cuz i was at the same concert, and i totally remember watchin you two talk outside the bus. im so glad to hear about you two and how youve totally hit it off, who wouldda thought??!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif your story on this post is easily the best one http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Dolamon]

Player of 8 - a strolling musician in Cal City ... now that's something to put on your musical resume! The only situation more twisted would possibly be - being a busker in Whiting or Gary. Scary thought.

[Jon Hall]

Mandodebbie,

What does Canada Day commemorate? I saw a Canadian folkgroup, Martha's Trouble / Hamilton ONT, last night. They were asked the same question and they said "Well, everyone drinks a lot of beer".

[EasyEd]

Hey All,

First Happy Canada Day to MandoDebbie from Alberta! Jon Everyone does drink a lot of beer on Canada Day. Think of it this way Canada Day = US Independence Day only 3 days earlier. Me being an American in Alberta - I get to drink a lot of beer on both days! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Take Care! -Ed-

[mandodebbie]

Jon,
Yeah, that's about it. Every country in the world celebrates their national "birthday" somehow. There should be an International Mandolin Apreciation Day. Imagine people from all over the world gathering to play their various mandolins and mandolin-type intruments. (I saw one made from a human scull once in a museum.) And so to stay on topic, we would encourage the art of serenading as a new Olympic sport. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandodebbie]

Thanks, Ed.
I have American relatives in Buffalo that I used to visit when I was knee-high to a mandolino.(Yuc,yuc!) Grandma lived in Fort Erie, Ontario( across the river) so we all got to celebrate both national holidays. (I didn't get to drink beer until I turned of age in Manitoba. Dang it!) I did get to drink a pint in Switzerland on Swiss Day five years ago. I think that's were I saw the mandolin made from a scull in the Lusanne museum. Imagine seranading your sweetie with that! (I'm trying to stick to the subject, people!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Songbird]

Wow, I was pleasantly suprised to read some romantic mandolin related stories. I just always imagine mandolins being associated with old men in groups singing Will The Circle Be Unbroken and stuff...and this is coming from someone who plays the mandolin himself, lol. I think we all dream of serenading someone special but has it ever happened to you guys?

[Jon Hall]

Well this isn't a romance story but I participated in a great jam this afternoon. I went to my regulat Sat. afternoon jam and Kelly Lancaster and two of his friends were playing. Kelly's latest album and website were in the new music section of the Cafe home page this past week. Kelly's a great player but more than that he's a fine person. He really encourages everyone he plays with and is the kind of person that looks for the good in everyone. Man, his Gibson F5 was a cannon. I've never heard such volume from a mandolin. I'm sure Kelly can coax the best out of an instrument.

[dixiecreek]

hey dixiecreek!! that story is so awesome!! its so crazy cuz i was at the same concert, and i totally remember watchin you two talk outside the bus. im so glad to hear about you two and how youve totally hit it off, who wouldda thought??!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif your story on this post is easily the best one http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

hey, thanks! Ya know, I think I remember you... weren't you that cute guy playing the mando at the bus?? ;)

[Joe F]

When I first started playing mandolin, I would get together with a bunch of friends regularly to drink beer and make a lot of noise around the kitchen table. #None of us were very good, but we had fun and didn't care.

One of the women in our little get-togethers had a friend who didn't play, but came by regularly to hear us. #She and I started talking, and eventually went out a few times. #One thing led to another -- on July 27, we will be married 19 years.

[wannabethile]

hey dixiecreek. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif well i dunno about bein a cute guy, but yeah, i was playing my mando at the bus. whats your point? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[mandodebbie]

After listening to all your stories, I wonder if there will be any romances starting this summer; taking that there must be a hundred or so folk festivals ( there's one in Winnepeg, Manitoba - near my town ) all around the continent. I've been having dreams of a bluegrass musician encouraging me to attend, or something like that. Could it be a spirit of some kind? Does anybody believe in that stuff? Or did I eat too many homemade Mandodebbie tacos for supper?

[jamman]

I started something fun with a cute girl last summer by asking her to make me a hemp strap for my mando. The strap took her 6 months to finish, after the fun had ended unfortunately, but I've got the strap and memories of some good times.

[dixiecreek]

hey dixiecreek. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif #well i dunno about bein a cute guy, but yeah, i was playing my mando at the bus. #whats your point? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
yeah, I DO know who you are! you're the guy who Sara called up onstage to play mando with her and Sean at the Watkins Family Hour a couple months ago! Man, you're a really good player!

[mandoJeremy]

Don't take it the wrong way here, BUT if you are such a good player why are you playing at NC's bus? #Maybe to intimidate Thile!

[wannabethile]

ummmm...no, no, no, no, no, no. intimidate thile??!! yeah right, i wish http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif . im really not that great, so you must totally have me mixed up with another cute guy. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif what are the chances of having sean and sara ask me up on stage to play nine pound hammer with them anyways? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif that would be, like a dream come true, kinda thing hahaha

[mandoJeremy]

I don't notice cute guys dude but I am happy for you if you are one! #What are the chances? #I don't think Sara or Sean would play 9lb. Hammer for one!

[mad dawg]

I remember it like it was yesterday. I walked into this dive, just to see what was going on, just wasting time, and never expecting that I would experience any serious attraction to any occupant that was just hanging around inside. I strolled around inside and saw nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual suspects that I expected to see, when I saw the most beautiful fair-face framed in luscious walnut brown. I gathered the object of my affection may have been around the block once or twice, but that intrigued me all the more. To make a long story short, we are together still to this day. My wife, on the other hand, was not too happy when I brought home another mandolin, a 10-string walnut Freshwater, and I had to sell one in order to keep the new one, but I am still sitting happy with two love interests in the same house: my wife, and my mandolin.

[dixiecreek]

I don't notice cute guys dude but I am happy for you if you are one! #What are the chances? #I don't think Sara or Sean would play 9lb. Hammer for one!
Hehe, they did... we were trying to think of a simple song in the key of G that we'd all be able to play, and Sara asked us if we knew Nine Pound Hammer, and the next thing I knew, we were playing it!! #(well, Sean, Sara, and Robert were playing it... I was cracking up laughing and in my nervousness trying desperately to remember how to play a G chord...) ;)

[wannabethile]

o man, good times. perhaps just about the best!! i still cant believe that it happened!! hahaha

[dixiecreek]

Believe it. Heh.

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

[wannabethile]

I BELIEVE!!! I BELIEVE!!!!! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif man, i apologize for bein such a dork. really, i....i have guilt. im sorry. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[TheNaivePicker]

Dag nab it, You people are so Gosh darn lucky. (that goes for wannabethile and dixiecreek..and you..possibly) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Who knows maybe My luck will change and Ill meet Mister Thile! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

Oh oh, Yah this is a love thread... No no, Im too young for any love in my life..Right now its just my precious mandos #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif Someday though! Someday..

[dixiecreek]

Who knows maybe My luck will change and Ill meet Mister Thile! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
You totally could meet him!! He's super nice and very fan friendly. Just go say hi, hand him your mando, and he'll autograph it for you (and maybe play a song on it if you ask him real nice, right robert?) ;)

[TheNaivePicker]

You totally could meet him!! #He's super nice and very fan friendly. #Just go say hi, hand him your mando, and he'll autograph it for you (and maybe play a song on it if you ask him real nice, right robert?) ;)

Cool,Sounds like a dream to me http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif Think he'd play 'Song for a Young queen'?
Maybe we (someone) should start a Nickel Creek Freaks thread somewhere, LOL. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Or there is..and Im missing something..
BTW, groovy picture!

[wannabethile]

you are correct, hannah. (i hear theyre really good at hookin you up with a cute someone in your life too!) hehehe http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[TheNaivePicker]

you are correct, hannah. #(i hear theyre really good at hookin you up with a cute someone in your life too!) #hehehe http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
..Now I know Im missing something.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[dixiecreek]

hehe... oh okay, I'll be nice and explain... Robert (wannabethile) is my boyfriend, and we met at a Nickel Creek concert. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[aimee]

Re the original question: the mando is a guy-magnet. Agree, ladies?

[mandodebbie]

Aimee, I cannot speak from experience in so far as mandolins being "guy magnets" taking that I just began playing mando four months ago in the privacy of my apartment. I did play excellent classical guitar many years ago in high school, and was told to stay away from the other musical kids (mostly guys) whilst they were jamming. Why, you ask? Because I "cramped their style". I wasn't tall and beautiful and charming and whatever qualified me as worthy of their companionship back then. And my rather limited interactions with musicians since the harrowing days of high school have unfortunately not made up for the bitter memories of those hostile clods. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[mandoJeremy]

To be honest with you guys, I would never date another musician! I have done it once and it was not good! You know how hard it is to keep a band of four or five artistic minds together....try dating that artistic mind! I can't stand myself sometimes and I definitely couldn't stand two of me! Not to say that two musicians can't date or get married, it is just very unlikely. Think about it, "No, that was a D note"; No it wasn't, it was an E note!". I prefer the artistic type only because they understand me but I very much oppose them because they are too much like me! Does that make sense? Anyways, good luck with the romance guys!

[mandodebbie]

Thanks for the insight, Jeremy. However, it is not just other musicians that we should be wary of, but other creative peoples. ( Not that be should only date in-bred morons.) My Ex, for example,was a brilliant scientist. Lets call him Super Al. (Astronomer by night, male nurse by day!) Super Al was involved in the theatre group where we had met. He had a B of S, and a B of FA. And of course, his RN. He was an excellent photographer, etc., yet criticized my cartooning, painting, and of course my music. Not just my playing but my tastes. (I love Blues, Jazz, old show tunes, and The Cure.) He spent more time on his hobbies and groups than ever he did with me. He eventually stopped eating my cooking and kicked me and the hamster out. (Not before loaning my precious guitar to one of his cronies. I believe it is now in Buffalo Narrows, Sask.) My post-Super Al fling with another "scientist" ended in June. We were driving each other crazy, too. I am so glad I purchased my mandolin in April. This little Buddy has been a true comfort in healing my broken heart. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[dixiecreek]

Awww that's a sad story! I'm sorry, Debbie!

I looove dating another musician!! It's great how our minds think alike. It was funny, the other night I was at his place for dinner, and he asked me how banjos are tuned, and I'm all "GDGBD" and he was all "DG..." and then I go, "Nooo, GDGBD" and he's all "GDGD..." "nooo, GDGBD!" "GDGBD?" "YES!" and his dad starts laughing and goes "it's like their own secret language!" hehe... but yeah I just love that we think so much alike! When we go to concerts together it's so cool 'cause we totally know how the others' mind is working... "This whole song is just an improvised jam session!" "I KNOW!!!" (as opposed to if I had gone with a non-musician friend... "this whole song is improvised!" "what's that?" "they're making it up as they go!" "Yeah, so??" hehe)... so yeah I love it, I have nothing to complain about. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[AndyEnglish]

Well the most romantic thing I ever did with my mandolin was to sell it! I bought my wife's wedding ring. That was over twenty years ago and we're still going strong!

[mad dawg]

Andy: may we assume you have purchased another mandolin since? #

(Hmmmm... If your wife permitted you to build up a collection since your sacrifice 20 some years ago, that gives me an idea...)

[Rroyd]

Just make sure your mandolin is included in the pre-nupual agreement. I had a friend who gave his guitar away to protect it from the divorce proceedings, with the stipulation that when the divorce was finalized, he was to get it back if it wasn't specifically listed as part of the divorce settlement. Even though the guitar had been a part of his life far longer than his wife, half of it was hers because of community property laws.
(She eventually decided not to go after the guitar, just as long as she got everything else, so he finally got it back.) (It wasn't an old D45 or anything like that either, so it wasn't like it was worth as much as the house.)

[TheNaivePicker]

Re the original question: the mando is a guy-magnet. Agree, ladies?
Agreed! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[aimee]

Debbie, it sounds like you and I could write a book!

But what I really meant is that the mando makes a charming "Whatzit" that prompts questions from people of both genders, enabling us to make the acquaintence (sp?) of lots of nice folks.

That's just been my experience.

[Chicago]

I have to agree with you there Aimee! I'm still suprised as to the number of people, even other musicians, who don't know what it is. Definately a good way to strike up a conversation. And though I can't speak for the other guys here, I'm certainly more attracted to fellow musicians! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[aimee]

And I didn't mean to imply that the mando is just a "whatzit" for me. Anybody on this board the last year or two knows how obsessed I am about these 8 little strings.

I guess what I said was meant as a suggestion to my single friends out there- learn it, take it out in public & see what happens!

[springer_spaniel]

My wife is about 8 months pregnant right now and for the last month the baby has been kicking like crazy right after dinner. This makes my wife extremely uncomfortable. However, we have found that if I play Jethro Burns version of Grandfather Clock that the baby will quiet down and stop kicking.

So, I've never serenaded my honey, but I've serenaded a fetus .....

I have visions now of playing Grandfathers Clock at 3am to stop the baby from crying.

[mandodebbie]

Now I feel so much better. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Yes, music hast charms to soothe the savage beast (or fetus, to paraphrase.) I will keep in mind the "Whatzit?" factor the next time I actually play my mando in public. I have been already asked by those who know about my mandolin addiction and why I took up such a challenging instrument. My usual reply is that I find it so compelling. Ten years ago I had heard an instrumental/accompianiment on The Sundays version of Wild Horses, and was mesmerized. The romantic in me was aroused. I have listened more closely to a variety of pop and rock songs, to discover mando in the background. So, people, it's not just for bluegrass anymore. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif