My other mandolin is jealous!!!

[cedarhog]

I am finding it difficult to spread the love between my mandolins. I don't know how people do it with more than two. I am very blessed to have two mandolins that are high quality and sound and play great. Since I got my "elk" A model a few months ago its all I have played. My bitterroot F style is in its case and is sulking. I realize that its a bit insane to act as if they think or have emotions but still I feel it. I took the bitterroot out to do a little sound comparison. The root sounded soooo different. I wasn't sure if I liked it. It took my ears about a minute or two to adjust to the different mandolins sound. Once I adjusted I was in love again with its deep woody tone. I'm not sure how people choose which mandolin to play for gigs or just for enjoyment when they have multiple. I can say with confidence that I will not search out another high end mandolin, too much pressure to play them all.

I must say though I wanted an F and an A style mandolin that sounded completely different from each other and I believe I've achieved that.:)

[Chris Biorkman]

I make it a point to play both with regularity. Otherwise, why not sell one?

[cedarhog]

I feel complete with an A and an F......once I figure how I want to use them they will both get love.:mandosmiley:

[8ch(pl)]

Dig it out when you need to do a "Hurtin' Sad Song". You got to channel the emotions.

[majorbanjo]

You mandolin guys are a strange lot......:grin:

[Dave Cowles]

...I realize that its a bit insane....

Isn't this a blatant acknowledgement of the obvious when it comes to us mandolin players? :))

[mtucker]

It's like having a collection of nice cars ... Leno is constantly rotating through his stable!


'let's see ... today I'll drive the Taurus' ... naw, maybe I'll take the Fiero ... aw, what the heck, I'll fire the Pacer!

[JeffD]

Different mandolins for different kinds of music, or different kinds of tunes, or differet kinds of audiences. My flattop is great for celtic, my A2 is great for bluegrass and old timey, the bowlback just shines for old timey, old cowboy waltzes, and classical.

Its not like a girlfriend I had once who would pack three identical white blouses for a camping trip. She said she didn't want to chose, she wanted to "pack the choice, and make it later".

[Don Grieser]

That 2nd mandolin is necessary for Get Up John tuning or GDGD tuning. Warning: GDGD is highly addicting. :mandosmiley:

[Dave Hausner]

It never hurts to have a quality backup in case your main instrument needs to go to the shop for repairs.

[allenhopkins]

I have 15 or more mandolins. Some don't get out of the case for a couple years at a time. Don't anthropomorphize them into having emotions. Were I a carpenter, I might have a particular saw I didn't use for a long time. When the right job came up, it would be there to be used. Ditto for mandolins. I haven't played the National Triolian in 18 months, but a blues gig could be just around the corner.

You can't beat the feeling of knowing that, when you're in the studio and you say to the engineer, "You know, mandocello would sound really good here," and he/she says, "Good idea -- do you know anyone who has one?", and you say...

[Willie]

When I am playing a festival tour I carry two mandos in a double case and keep both ready to go in case of a boo-boo on my #1 mandolin...I don`t tune one any different than the other, I have a hard enough time keeping one in tune, just kidding, both are in great shape and are ready to go, just like a relief pitcher in the World Series.....Willie

[Matt DeBlass]

If anybody really feels bad that they have nice mandolins lying around feeling neglected, I'd just like to point out that my birthday is coming up in a few weeks ;)