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Thread: New to Mandolin Cafe

  1. #1
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    Default New to Mandolin Cafe

    I just joined and wanted to say hello. Also just bought my first mandolin with help from looking at comments on the forum. Wound up with an Eastman MD305. I got it yesterday and have been fooling around with it a little. I play an acoustic guitar mostly but wanted to try something different. I'm 56 years old but figure it's never too late to try something new. Got interested in bluegrass sound a couple of years ago after listening to Alison Krauss and Union Station. Also found Billy Strings, simply amazing, on Youtube recently. Well, wish me luck! Man those frets are tiny! LOL.

  2. The following members say thank you to Timmy Josh for this post:

    jasona 

  3. #2
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome, Tim. Lots of converted guitar pickers here. And lots of Eastman pickers among them.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  4. #3
    Registered User Martin Ohrt's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Hi Tim, and welcome! Have fun here
    Mandolins: 1920s (?) Meinel & Herold Bowlback, 2006 Furch "Redwood MA-1" A5

    Octaves: 2004 Fender FMO-66 Flat-Top, 2015 A. Karperien 5 String Electric

    Banjos: 2007 Gold Tone IT-250F Irish Tenor, 1963 Vega Vox No. 1 Plectrum, 2016 Recording King RK-OT25 Clawhammer

  5. #4
    Professional Green Horn WmBuoymaster's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    I joined about 2 or 3 weeks ago. These guys are great here. Lots of knowledge in the replies and search engine. I'm new to mandolin and strings all together and I've come a long way in a month.
    Welcome!

  6. #5
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome! I started mandolin about 3 years ago. I was turning 50 and had been "mando curious" for a while so I bought an Eastman 305, thinking I would plink around on it for a few minutes here and there when I was done with guitar for the day. Great starter instrument. Then an odd thing happened. I couldn't pick up my guitar for months. The mandolin took over. Watch out! You might find yourself with a strange addiction to Bill Monroe!

  7. #6
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    I suggest learning fiddle well. Then the mandolin is HUGE and the frets are right there!!! Have fun.
    Stephen Perry

  8. #7
    Down the road I go Trav'linmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Tim , welcome to the café. Like you I was 56 when I started playing the mandolin. And as HonketyHank suggests in his signature, join us in the newbies group.
    Larry
    Very few of us know, how much we have to know, in order to know, how little we know.
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  9. #8

    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    I'm a fellow guitar/Eastman player, as well. Welcome!
    Soliver arm rested and Tone-Garded Northfield Model M with D’Addario NB 11.5-41, picked with a Wegen Bluegrass 1.4

  10. #9
    Registered User dietlbomb's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Fellow guitar/Eastman player here. Also trying to learn fiddle. It's too much fun.

    A piece of advice: don't listen to anything featuring Chris Thile. It is too discouraging. (Just kidding. But I do need some role models who are easier to imitate.)

  11. #10
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome to our wild, wacky world, Tim. The Café is a great resource for information and support. Have fun and the frets really are not too small. Good luck.

  12. #11
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Hi Larry. Where do I find the newbies link. I saw it under HonketyHank's link but where would I normally find it?

  13. #12

    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome Timmy! Good to have you here.

  14. #13

    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by Timmy Josh View Post
    Hi Larry. Where do I find the newbies link. I saw it under HonketyHank's link but where would I normally find it?
    In the black header under Mandolin Cafe is a menu bar. Far right, click Learn/Listen then Social Groups - Newbies

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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron McMillan View Post
    In the black header under Mandolin Cafe is a menu bar. Far right, click Learn/Listen then Social Groups - Newbies
    Thank you!

  16. #15
    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome to the Cafe!

    Jamie
    There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946

    + Give Blood, Save a Life +

  17. #16
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Watch out, your guitars may get dusty. Mandolin can be addictive. You are right that it is never too late, I started playing my first at age 58. I find mandolins so much easier than guitars.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
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    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

  18. #17
    Registered User Swimbob's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome in Timmy! I just started too and I'm 59. I've played bass (both electric and upright) for about 40 years and yes those frets are tiny and too close together. I find I'm a half-step up or down all the time.

  19. #18
    Registered User Randi Gormley's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    welcome to the café and your Eastman!
    --------------------------------
    1920 Lyon & Healy bowlback
    1923 Gibson A-1 snakehead
    1952 Strad-o-lin
    1983 Giannini ABSM1 bandolim
    2009 Giannini GBSM3 bandolim
    2011 Eastman MD305

  20. #19
    Registered User LKinser's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome to the group!!!! I am also a 50+ guitar/mandolin player. I bought a Eastman 515 and am loving it. Enjoy the Eastman!!
    2016 Eastman MD515-CS

  21. #20
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome ! I am new as well and also play an Eastman, an Md-615 in fact. I also own a 314 oval hole and have been a big fan of Eastman Mandolins ever since picking up my first one at the local string-shop. Great mandolins, you shouldn't be disappointed .
    Seems like a great community of people here, only wish they had something this cool for us fiddle-players, lol...well fiddle cum mandolin/player that is.

  22. #21
    not a donut Kevin Winn's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome! I'm another mid-fifties newbie with a long history of guitar and bass. There's a ton of nice people and good info in the Café. Search for Pickloser's Double Stop document for an excellent place to start, and the lessons from Pete Martin and Ted Eschliman in the Learn/Listen area are great. Key for me was getting myself out of the mindset that the mandolin was an upside-down guitar.

    And check out Andrew Marlin's playing with Mandolin Orange for some inspiration!

  23. #22
    Registered User mee's Avatar
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    Default Re: New to Mandolin Cafe

    Welcome Josh, I got my first mandolin maybe 10 yrs ago but just recently in the last couple years started really learning and playing it with encouragement from good friends. (also I am 50 something years) I also just learned guitar but mandolin is my main and I have learned a lot by jumping in and playing at nursing homes/churches with a nice little group of friends. So I tell everybody that says they wish they could play that it is never too late! I just wish I had started years ago because I love it so much. I got to play a couple Eastmans over the weekend and absolutely loved them, I am considering getting one

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