Imprudent behavior results in severe case of MAS

[mlbex]

What was I thinking? I'm browsing the local toy store when I see an F-style with an odd-looking headstock inlay. I pick it up and look closely... Hbrentrup. I've heard of that before... I pick it up. Fabba Dabba ZAP! I'm infected.

MAS comes on slowly, gains in intensity for a day or two, then I buy myself a cure... and I'm the proud owner of a Brentrup Model 23.

Now I have to up my game, to become a good enough player to deserve such a fine instrument. It's been a week, and I'm noticeably better (I think and hope anyway).

Do not engage in this unsafe activity. Leave it on the wall or risk the consequences http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/im...lies/smile.gif

[Randy Smith]

Congrats on your 23. It'll probably up your game and keep you at it quite awhile. Monroe found his F5 in a barbershop, so your finding the 23 in a toy store is a wonderful story. Any idea how the mandolin found its way to the store?

[mlbex]

My apologies for the misunderstood metaphor. It was a musical 'toy store' (ie: Gryphon Stringed Instruments). My toys nowadays are mostly music-related.

It has upped my game already, and I'm sure there is more to come.

Mike

Congrats on your 23. It'll probably up your game and keep you at it quite awhile. Monroe found his F5 in a barbershop, so your finding the 23 in a toy store is a wonderful story. Any idea how the mandolin found its way to the store?

[Randi Gormley]

So funny! When asked where I go for vacation, I always say "band camp" which is my joke response to spending a week doing mandolin workshops at Catskill Irish Arts Week. I've gotten a few questions about marching practice, which is even funnier if you understand ITM!

Congrats on the Brentrup. I've always wanted to try one, but they're few and far between.

[DataNick]

... I pick it up. Fabba Dabba ZAP! I'm infected.

You mean Yabba, Dabba, Doo right?

[OldGus]

It doesn't seem like any sort of logic to follow but somehow it worked out...now for some dinosaur sized spare ribs to celebrate! Wait a second, It only took a few days to become 'infected', find a Brentrup and buy it? What's the slow part? 'Deserve' and 'earn' are interchangeable and it sounds like it's paid for, now just enjoy!

[Russ Donahue]

When I go on vacation I always look to see if there are any good "toy stores" where I'm headed. Biggest disappointment was a few years ago looking forward to visiting a shop in Charlottesville VA only to discover it had closed permanently just before I got there.

[Steve Sorensen]

"Play" is a good four-lettered word. Well done on the selection of the new toy!

Steve

[Jeff Mando]

Congrats on your 23. It'll probably up your game and keep you at it quite awhile. Monroe found his F5 in a barbershop, so your finding the 23 in a toy store is a wonderful story. Any idea how the mandolin found its way to the store?

I made the same assumption. I pictured something like Sanford and Son's, only as a toy store with an out of place mandolin. Congrats on the new "toy"!!!!

[Mark Wilson]

Congrats!! and thanks for not posting pictures. It's contagious and can be transmitted visually

[Cecily_Mandoliner]

Congrats! Have fun making it sing!

[mlbex]

Fabba Dabba ZAP was what happened in Mad Magazine right after the magician or somebody threw a spell or a lightning bolt or something. Same idea though.

You mean Yabba, Dabba, Doo right?

[journeybear]

Dunno what happened here:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/im...lies/smile.gif

In future, click on the smilie above the pane to get a selection, then select. Or type Oh drat! I mean, type Crikey! I mean, type : then ) next to each other. BTW, when you click on the smilie the code for it appears in the pane, and typing that works just the same.

Actually, self-imposing a two-day waiting period sounds like a pretty prudent approach. Maybe it should be a five-day waiting period as for gun purchases ... but then, instrument purchases generally don't entail the possibility of the buyer acquiring something with deadly force. Depending on how it's played, naturally.

[Michael Bridges]

You've obviously never heard somebody playing a banjo before!

[PaulBills]

When I go on vacation I always look to see if there are any good "toy stores" where I'm headed. Biggest disappointment was a few years ago looking forward to visiting a shop in Charlottesville VA only to discover it had closed permanently just before I got there.

aw mate, bet you missed out on the closing down sale too! gutted!

[Mandoplumb]

Mlbex my last bout with MAS I was minding my own buisiness getting a set of strings when some other fool got the mandolin off the wall and began playing it, at once I had an acute attack of MAS. If the other fool had bought it I probaly would have got over it but he hung it back on the wall I had to see if it sounded as good on the back side as the front, it did and now it is in my stable.

[journeybear]

You've obviously never heard somebody playing a banjo before!

Of course I have. Annoying? Often. Deafening? Potentially. Deadly? Nah ...

BTW, if a case of MAS can be cured with one quick purchase, it couldn't have been too severe. But it's a good thing you acted quickly!

[allenhopkins]

On the verge of buying a Waldo mandocello, and sorely tempted by the "sopranino" Weber at Bernunzio's. It ain't fair.

On the other hand, mandolins will get you through times of no money, better than money will get you through times of no mandolins, to paraphrase Shelton's Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers.

[journeybear]

Ahem! Just sayin' ...

[Jim Garber]

Congrats on the Brentrup. I've always wanted to try one, but they're few and far between.

Randi: there was (and possibly still is) a Brentrup Stealth at AcousticMusic.org. And, of course, I can bring my A4C for you to try next time we meet (maybe next Monday).

[fatt-dad]

I have weekly impulses to buy another mandolin (e.g., $900 A-jr). Missed a Brentrup a-model at Elderly a few years back. Still bummed. Glad you found a great mandolin!

f-d

[Randi Gormley]

Jim -- yes, please!

[stevedenver]

play your new Brentrup in good health

they are magnificent and inspirational
congrats!