New guy from Silver City, Nm

[Joey Anchors]

Hi everyone!
Just joined last night and very glad I found this site. I'm very new to mandolin as I just bought a Gretsch G9310 a couple days ago after being a recording/touring upright bassist of 16 years.

First thing I love about mandolin is the size! No flight case needed for air travel and I love how I can just play the guy anywhere and everywhere.
I have the factory strings on right now and use a Fender 351 extra heavy picks.

Some where down the road I plan on trying Pyramid flatwounds.

[F-2 Dave]

Welcome, joey.

[JEStanek]

Welcome to the Cafe, Joey. Enjoy that mandolin and make some friends in the airports. A mandolin is better than a puppy for making new friends.

Jamie

[JeffD]

Welcome.

I really like Silver City. I have spent a lot of time there. I have played my mandolin up at the Buckhorn, and sat and jammed with some folks on the street outside of that coffeehouse - Javalina or something.

There used to be a really great radio station, KSIL I think? It played Americana-Roots-Old Country kind of stuff. Real nice to have on in the car. Last time I was out there I could not find the station.

Well yea, compared to a bass, the mandolin is weightless and takes up no space at all. Its like a small arrogant dog - how did so much personality get into such a small package.

[JimKo]

Made the same bass to mando switch a while ago. It was like falling in love with music all over again. Now I do most anything to avoid playing bass. Did you make it to Pickamania? If so, how was it? Jim

[Steve Sorensen]

Next is a mandola. Will still feel petit and delightful (with a little more rumble) to your bass way of thinking!

Steve

[High Lonesome Valley]

Welcome from the San Luis Valley, Colorado. Ready for the rain?

[Joey Anchors]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! Jim I did make it to Pickamania (walking distance from my house) and it was great!! Got to saw a good bassist friend of mine who plays in Fish Tank Ensemble, had a couple pints of dark Porter and had a great time.

Now I just need to learn this thing and find some people to pick with.

[Randi Gormley]

You probably know a luthier who can make sure the Gretsch is set up correctly -- after playing bass, you might not immediately notice if it's hard or easy to fret, but it will make a difference down the road. And I'd put on new strings fairly quickly, too, whether you get flatwounds or not, because it'll help keep the mandolin in tune better (although, as the old old old joke goes, mandolin is Italian for 'out of tune'). Welcome to the café!