Sit back and just love...

[Emmiemando]

I love coming the MC message boards to learn and post and talk about the subject of mandolins-there's no doubt about that! But I don't think that I've ever seen a post that just appreciates our mando-friends in themselves. So I've taken it upon myself to do that nd here it is.....
What is your favorite thing bout your mandolin? The way it plays? How you got it? The way people always ask you what you're doing with a little guitar when you're carrying it in it's case???
My favorite thing about Odysseus(my mando) is how I'll be walking down the public street, with him in his case, and people will come up to me and ask what kind of a little guitar I am carrying. That gives me the perfece opportunity to tell them all about how mandolins should not be mistaken for guitars(once someone asked if it was a banjo!!!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif )and why they should start listening to more mandolin music because of how good it is for the soul (mine at least)

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

My favorite thing is opening the case after a long day at work, and just holding it my hands and warming up the old creaky fingers, listening to the mandolin start to open up from being sequestered in it's case all day!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[John Rosett]

last night, i played a gig with my 1913 gibson A. it never fails to amaze me that a 91 year old instrument is still such a useful tool, as well as a thing of beauty. it more than held it's own with the old gibson L5 that my friend was playing.
the thing i love most about this mandolin is that it just sounds old. i can't imagine a better instrument to play vintage jazz tunes on in an intimate setting. when i'm playing it, i think about all the other people who played it through the years, and the music they played on it.
so this morning, it got the full "mando-spa" treatment - strings off, complete rubdown (no polish), a touch of graphite to the nut and saddle, a touch of machine oil to the tuners, and new strings on. that's my way of saying "thank you".
john

[mandodebbie]

I bought my mando on a whim. I used to play guitar, but my Ex(before he was my Ex)loaned it to his buddy who took it with him up to Northern Saskatchewan. I obviously never got it back. So anyhow, mid-way through my following relationship I saw a cute little Hyburn mando in the music shop and started having dreams about it. I guess that was a sign to buy it; and it was only $150.00 (Can.). Unfortunately my courtship sadly ended with the new fellow, but my mando and I have a relationship that should hopefully endure for the rest of my days. It's always waiting for me at home after work. I can laugh and cry and cuddle with my mando without being criticized for being too sentimental. And my daily mando practices help me to forget all my troubles. I love my little mandolin. It's tiny, delicate and often mis-understood (like it's owner), but it's still a loyal friend . (Unlike those stupid boyfriends!....grumble..grumble...) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[G_Smolt]

Interesting...

On the flip side of the coin, my mandos are tools, and are treated as such.

[glauber]

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

[jasona]

Interesting...

On the flip side of the coin, my mandos are tools, and are treated as such.
Does that mean you wear your mandos on your belt, or keep them in your garage? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[G_Smolt]

Hehehehe...

No, I don't, but that's a heck of an Idea for a stage-schtick.

I keep them clean and in top-working order, and well-protected when not in use.

You wouldn't name a socket-set, would you? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

You wouldn't name a socket-set, would you?
Probably not, but you could.

The tools analogy is an interesting one. I know that many people have emotional attachments to their instrument and as such, have a hard time selling one.

I know it just gives me a good feeling to play, and to be able to do that with a great instrument. I doubt I'll ever be able to think of my mandolin as a tool since I don't make enough money playing it to actually consider it a profession.

Now, my banjo, on the other hand . . .

[bjc]

Did you just say "banjo?" MODERATOR!!!!!
OK, I love just hearing the sound of mine...after the fingers are warmed up and I break into one of the (simple) classical pieces I play while the sun is rising and my candles are burning...the wife is blissfully asleep and the cats are just starting to wake...just me and the music...oh by the way, my main mando is named Kelly...yes, I name all my axes...I don't care about what people say...tee hee

[glauber]

My mando, she's named "M" (Em). I have an ovation on order, and she'll be "O".
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Greenmando]

I like to scare the neighbor kids with my b**jo, really gets them running. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[G_Smolt]

Lest I be taken as a heartless, callous soul...

I truly enjoy the sound of mandolin, whether it be mine or others. I love playing mando, and am fortunate enough to make an extra $4-500 a month playing (What did Tim O' say? "You too can make hundreds of dollars a year playing Bluegrass"?)

Getting rid of a mando? *gasp*
I have sold or traded 6...but I kept the other 5 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

So yeah, a tool...but a handcrafted, precision artisan's tool.

[250sc]

Every time I pick up my mando (collings mt) I'm impress with the fact that it is such an efficient machine. Almost every time I pick it up and play it I'm impressed that for the small amount of work that is put into playing it I get so much sound. I've been simularly impressed with quality raceing bikes where you pedal lightly but screem down the road.

[ira]

a tool...maybe, but more than that as well. though i try to take care of her with string changes, cleaning, a bit of oil, some pencil lead in the slots, etc... the true love comes when playing and letting her voice out. each time we play together, especially when something new is coaxed out of my little axe (finally got some nice double stop tremolo this past friday) or even a familiar tune taken to new places, i feel that the love flows.

i understand the tool thing, but even in music its a bit different with certain instruments. my harmonicas are tools. i get new ones regularly and don't give a thought to the old. my preamp, volume pedal, etc.. are surely tools, but my mando is different. when playing something that feels like its a part of you at times, it must be more.
re;names, i tried some (sunshine due to the inlays of sun/sunrays for example), but they felt artificial. for now, just my baby and sometimes referring to her as sweetness will do, till she names herself.

peace all,
ira

[tiltman]

I guess I'm somewhere in the middle...
I really love my mandolins, love to play them, see them, spend time with them.
I don't name them.
Kirk

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Most mandolins already have a name on the peghead!

[John Rosett]

well, i wouldn't name a socket wrench set, but i do have a 5/8" deep socket i'm kinda partial to named "bob".
but, you see, i didn't name him-he told me his name....
john

[acousticphd]

I admire the craftsmanship and aesthetic things about them BECAUSE they sound nice and are a pleasure to play and use. That's probably why many players display or keep their instruments out, whereas one wouldn't tend to do the same with a high-end set of finely crafted, precision ball-peen hammers. I confess I often turn a favorite mandolin over and around and look at the curves and contours someone carefully shaped, and marvel at the sound that this little thing can produce. A tinny $150 brand X, though obviously the same basic tool and shapes, doesn't inspire anything like that.

[Brandolin Tucker12]

A long time ago I saw IIIrd Tyme Out at play in a gym with NO P.A. system. I was amazed at the sound Wayne Benson pulled from his mandolin. I asked Wayne about it and he told me about Tuckers. Years later I was called to play a show with a group here in WV. I showed up with my "Made in Japandolin" that I had at the time. They had a Tucker and let me play it. It truly was love at first sight. I played that mandolin with the group for years. Finaly, I was offered a chance to buy it (for a very reasonable price) and I did not hesitate. I love everything about my #12 Tucker mandolin. I love the fact that I didn't have to pay a bubble-licious price for what I consider to be a world class mandolin. I know what Tuckers or other "killer-rare-Thileofthemonth" mandolins sell for, but I don't care because this one will not be sold until I'm dead (I have enough sense not to be buried with it!)

[GTison]

My first love was a KM1000 back in 84. #She taught me alot. #She liked to sing real high and could hold her own in any jam I ever got into and allways brought me compliments about her. #She is still the same. # #

But as time wore on I longed for one with a different last name and a little more alto in her voice. #I met her one day and although used she had not been abused. #I thought I would make her do. #I thought I could make her sing like the other one but she would have none of that. #She was slim and after reaching around her for a few years she started to hurt me when I'd make her try to sing those high notes. #We weren't getting along. #I could see the end was near.
#I visited Gruhns (a nashville house of ill repute) #And while there in March or Feb. I saw here there hanging around. #Winking at me with her beautiful colors. #She was a young nashville cousin to the one I owned. #When I held her it was like we were made for each other. #She fit so well into my hand and sang low and sweet. #She could sing high but not as powerful as KM. #But still at my age for her to not hurt me when I made here sing high... well that was enough. #I immediately set out to make her mine. #I watched her on the internet hoping she would not dissappear. #After months the divorce was final. #She was still waiting in late July. And I visited her agian with KM in tow. #We sang together. #Compared notes. #She winked somemore. #I looked at many, of her sisters they all were close but she was the ONE for me. #I made the dirty deal with master of the house. #Winky is now mine. #She sings great, looks great too. #Oh I still take KM out for a "blast" sometimes esp. if 3 banjo are around. #But for pure quality Winky is it.

[Fred G]

nice lunchtime story bowfinger..Thanks!!!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif