Hi from a newb in Raleigh NC

[Darren Kern]

Hey all, just wanted to say hi and thanks for such a great resource. #A good friend gave me a Steve Earle/Del McCoury Band CD early this year, and that doggone mandolin has been creepin' in my head slowly but surely after listening to that hundreds of times literally http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #I started researching mandolins a few weeks ago and have ordered a Johnson MA-120 from the Folk of the Wood website. #I do understand the value of a good quality instrument vs a cheapie (I play a Taylor guitar), but it's either get something like this and learn how to play or wait a looong time to afford a real good mandolin, so I did the best I could with what I have to spend. #

When I first started thinking about getting one, I thought it would be limited to an accompanying instrument to the PC recordings I make of me singing/playing guitar, but the more I spend learning about mandolins, the more I think it could easily end up my primary obsession # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hangin' out here. #I leave Thursday after work for TN and my annual trip to the Museum of Appalachia fall festival, Rhonda Vincent will be there Friday, Dr Ralph on Saturday #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Phantoj]

Hi, newbie!

I'm a guitarist, as you are.

I've been at it for two weeks. I feel like I'm picking it up really quickly! The mando fretboard is easier to master than the guitar's because it's so logically arranged. The patterns are simpler.

A good foundation in alternate picking is an excellent skill to bring from the guitar world.

I may get flamed for this, but I think *fast* playing is more important on a mandolin than on a guitar... Guitars have relatively so much more sustain that a flurry of notes isn't needed as much.

But the mandolin is made for fast playing. Your scales end up being played more "one-finger-per-note" than "one-finger-per-fret" as in guitar. So melodies require much less string-skipping.

I'm finding that my right-hand speed on the guitar is improving after only two weeks of "mando-menu" lunch hour practices. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Phantoj]

Oh, I didn't mention that the LOW ACTION on the mando really helps you crank up the speed.

I'm assuming FOTW set up your mandolin well, but make sure the action is nice and low and that you are getting good intonation.

Have you received the mandolin yet?

I think you should have bought a Kentucky KM-150S, because that's what I have. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[bjc]

Welcome Hydrilla...and soon you will be lusting after a more expensive mando...it happened that way for me. I went looking for one and the guy wanted to talk me into a $1200 mando (now, I didn't have that type of money)...I settled for something WAY less expensive and within six months moved up and then moved up again. Currently awaiting a mandolin made in Scotland by David Freshwater...and I've only been playing two years...It'll bite you friend

[Darren Kern]

Thanks guys! I really am pumped about learning how to play. Phantoj, I looked at the Kentucky and it looked to me like they were comparable in features so I just went with the less expensive one http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Glad to hear your guitar background has helped, I was hoping that would be the case. Even just plinking at Guitar Center, I got the feeling that I would be able to pick it up somewhat quickly.

bjc, I know what you mean. I hope to skip the middle step and just play my clunker until I can afford my "forever" instrument. Wishful thinking? Probably http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[David in IL]

Like you, I have just started out with a low-endish rental (Kentucky). It isn't perfect--the action is too high--but it's giving me good callouses and experience. As soon as I rob a bank or get a Genius Grant from the MacArthur Foundation I will move up to something better and more playable. BTW, I used to live in Fayetteville, NC (hated it) but I loved Raleigh and got away as often as possible. A very nice town.

[straight-a]

Hi Hy,

I'm in NC about an hour west of you on Hwy 64. There's a lot of great pickers in your area that are on this site as well. AlanN and Greg H. are two that are close by. You can check out Greg at www.nu-blu.com. I play banjo with that group and play mandolin with two other groups on the side. Also check out Kickin' Grass www.kickingrass.com.

[MartinD_GibsonA]

I do understand the value of a good quality instrument vs a cheapie (I play a Taylor guitar)

Yeah, maybe one of these days you'll have a guitar that's up to the quality of that Johnson mando! #(Sorry, but the way it's written, I just couldn't resist!) # ;-))

Don Smith

[Darren Kern]

I do understand the value of a good quality instrument vs a cheapie (I play a Taylor guitar)

Yeah, maybe one of these days you'll have a guitar that's up to the quality of that Johnson mando! #(Sorry, but the way it's written, I just couldn't resist!) # ;-))

Don Smith
Hahahaha, I knew after I wrote that I left myself wide open http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Didn't mean to make it sound like I had the best guitar out there or anything, I'm just happy with it. Best I could get in my budget.

[levin4now]

hey,

there are a few good beginner jam sessions near you as well.

on tuesday nights at zepp's music in wendell (just east of Raleigh/Knightdale). also a yahoo groups group called "raleigh area pickers" or something like that.

[Darren Kern]

hey,

there are a few good beginner jam sessions near you as well.

on tuesday nights at zepp's music in wendell (just east of Raleigh/Knightdale). #also a yahoo groups group called "raleigh area pickers" or something like that.
That's good to know. #Thanks for the info levin4now and everyone else that wrote. Maybe I could go to some of those with my guitar until I got decent on a mandolin. I'm not a very good bluegrass guitar player either so it would be a good learning experience.

[AC4RD]

Thanks guys! #I really am pumped about learning how to play. #Phantoj, I looked at the Kentucky and it looked to me like they were comparable in features so I just went with the less expensive one #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #Glad to hear your guitar background has helped, I was hoping that would be the case. #Even just plinking at Guitar Center, I got the feeling that I would be able to pick it up somewhat quickly.

bjc, I know what you mean. #I hope to skip the middle step and just play my clunker until I can afford my "forever" instrument. #Wishful thinking? #Probably #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I'm also a newbie in Raleigh; I stopped by the Guitar Center the other week and they only had a couple of mandolins--I'd have liked to try the Tacoma but it was way up the wall, and all the clerks were busy with 12-year-old death metal fans. :-/ Definitely try Harry's shop on Glenwood--he had a number of mid-priced things the other week when I was in. Music Loft in Durham had a selection to play with, too. (Sam Ash had even less than GC but at least you could get to them at Sam Ash.) I've heard about a place in Garner, "Webb's" or something like that--supposedly has a lot of mandolins. HTH! --Ken in Raleigh

[batman]

You Raleigh newbies need to get over to langdons driving school in garner tomarow at 400pm for the Mike Compton and David Long workshop. and then to the pourhouse lounge for the show. I'm in New Bern if you ever go to the beach look me up and we'll pick. Don Batten

[Darren Kern]

Dang it, wish I could go. #I leave for the festival I'm going to in Norris, TN right after work tomorrow.

[AC4RD]

at zepp's music in wendell (just east of Raleigh/Knightdale). #.
I said "Webb's in Garner." The real name and location is "Zepp's in Wendell." Poor ol' Grandpaw Ken--I musta forgot to take my brain medicine again. :-) Happens all the time. When I was a boy, rich men used to ride around in Zeppelins (that's how I'll remember the name of the place in Wendell), throwing money down at poor people. I used to wear an onion on my belt back then--it was the style of the time. ;-)

[Billy]

Hi,I'm in Goldsboro,NC.
I also play the guitar,banjo,dobro,and learning the mandolin.Rhonda Vincent and the Rage is a great band.I have met Kenny Ingram,the banjo picker.He's one of the best there is.

[frogbiscuit]

Hi I'm new too, I was led over here from some folks at HCGF. I'm also soon purchasing my first mandolin. I'm a long time guitar player, but have scratched at other stringed instruments, like the dulcimer. BTW, I'm just over the border from you in VA.

[Jaded]

Heyo from another Raleigh picker...

Harry's has the biggest local selection of sub $1000 mandolins...MKS, Eastman etc and used to have the top selection of higher end stuff, but Zepp's Music has recently started carrying more of the Weber line, along with a number of Morgan Monroes and Kentuckys. Both are worthwhile places to shop...the mandos at Zepps tend to be better set up and imo he knows more about them than the Harry's folks, who are more guitar and electric oriented.

Fat Sound also carries a very small selection of mandolins.

If you want to drive a bit, there is Harry and jeanie West's shop in Statesville...but don't expect a lot of good advice or well set up instruments, but they do have a huge selection.

If he hasn't sold it Harry has a real nice sounding Eastman A model for around $800.