Introduction of a Newly Obsessed Person

**Mandolovingirl** · Nov-04-2010, 4:23pm

Hi Everyone! I've been digging around on the Cafe for a while, now, trying to soak up all the knowledge I can from all of you wise folks. I think it might be time to introduce myself. I will need to start asking some questions, so I want you all to know a little about who they are coming from.

Since I have no "Mando-buddies" in "real life", I thought it might be nice to make some new "cyber" Mandolin friends!

The first time I knew I wanted to play the Mandolin was about two years ago when I spotted a beautiful, little Bowl Back Mandolin in the window of a music store while on a bus in Hannover, Germany. After about a month of scoping out the place and getting better at my German, I finally got up the nerve to walk in and buy that Mandolin. After playing it a little and admiring it from afar, life got crazy, and the Mandolin gathered dust.
Fast forward 2 years, I'm now back in the States living in KY. About a month ago, I decided to start to learn the Mandolin. It was time. I just happen to live near a great music store who has a Mandolin Instructor, must've been fate! I signed up for lessons immediately. After taking my 3rd lesson, being around all the beautiful BREEDLOVE Mandolins every week, plus looking at the eye candy on the Cafe, PLUS reading thoughts about Breedlove's, I couldn't stand it anymore. I worked extra shifts at the hospital so I could buy my new Breedlove KO!!! I love it so much!!! I just had my 4th lesson (1st with my new KO) today, and THE SOUND . . . It's beautiful!
I am so addicted to my new hobby of Mandolin playing that if I'm not playing my Mandolin, I'm thinking about playing my Mandolin, or I'm looking around on the Mandolin Cafe! I'm obsessed now. I love Rock, Bluegrass, Classical/Italian, pretty much all types of music. I'm also enjoying all the youtube videos.
Like I said before, I'd love to meet some others who play the Mandolin. I have a lot of questions, but I'll formulate them in a much shorter email. However, any recommendations/tips are always appreciated! For now, HELLO and THANK YOU!

Lori

PS: I'll try to post a pic of my new Mandolin. Her name will be Bess.

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**JEStanek** · Nov-04-2010, 5:22pm

Welcome to the Cafe, Lori. I like that Breedlove K body shape.

Jamie

**catmandu2** · Nov-04-2010, 5:29pm

I like that too...what a cool choice for your first mando! Welcome Lori.

**Grommet** · Nov-04-2010, 5:34pm

Welcome Lori,

That is a great story about the bowlback in the window. I once had an Italian flatback that my dad brought home from Italy in the 40s or 50s. He paid 5 bucks for it. In the 70s I prepped the top and had it refinished by a violin maker. It looked better, but was something less than playable. My sister used it as a wall onranment. A few decades passed before I got interested again last Spring. You will find lot's of help and inspiration here. Enjoy, and good luck with your endeavor.

Scott

**Ed Goist** · Nov-04-2010, 5:57pm

Hi Lori & Welcome!
You're off to a great start...You've got a fantastic (and beautiful) 1st mandolin, and you've found an instructor.
Please keep us posted!

**John Gardinsky** · Nov-04-2010, 6:31pm

Welcome. Nice mando. Find a regular jam or folks to play with, you will learn much faster around others.

**Dennis Ladd** · Nov-04-2010, 6:33pm

Can't wait till you post your first YouTube video.

And start arguing about whether or not to use a capo!

Enjoy.

**mandolirius** · Nov-04-2010, 7:14pm

< I am so addicted to my new hobby of Mandolin playing that if I'm not playing my Mandolin, I'm thinking about playing my Mandolin, or I'm looking around on the Mandolin Cafe! I'm obsessed now. >

Oh yeah......you're one of us. Welcome to your new home on the internet.

**Charles E.** · Nov-04-2010, 7:22pm

Welcome Lori, you might want to check out the social groups. I know there is one for Breedlove owners, probably one for KY players. Alot of great mandolin players and music have come from the Bluegrass State so hopefully you will find some ' mando buddies' soon!

**ColdBeerGoCubs** · Nov-04-2010, 7:38pm

As a relatively new owner of a Breedlove OO, I say welcome to the club.

**outdoors4me** · Nov-04-2010, 8:26pm

Welcome! Pull up a chair.

Beck

**Jill McAuley** · Nov-04-2010, 9:37pm

Welcome to the Cafe and congrats on your Breedlove - what a great first mandolin for you! As someone already mentioned, do check out the social groups - gotta plug the Song-A-Week social group, a great place to hear and learn new tunes, and there's also a Newbies group too.

Cheers,
Jill

**Randi Gormley** · Nov-04-2010, 9:39pm

Hey! Another of us on the distaff side -- welcome!

**onestepahead** · Nov-04-2010, 9:41pm

Hi Lori! Welcome to the Cafe! Some wonderful folks here, and I've only been officially "around" for a week, so I'm looking forward to chatting it up with more of them. And you now too!

Totally understand the whole "no mando buddies" problem. I just ordered my first mandolin the other day, and told one of my friends. Her first response? "Oh that's cool you're learning to play the banjo!" I was like...ummmm not quite. Anyway, that Breedlove is beautiful! I like the design of it! Very glad you joined up here! Looking forward to chatting with you, and hearing more about your experiences! (And I LOVE your story about the bowlback in Germany!)

**journeybear** · Nov-04-2010, 11:42pm

Welcome to the Café, Lori! Well, so much for the theory that all you had to do to meet bluegrassers in Kentucky was to sit on your porch and pick a little.

Then again, have you tried that yet?

Here's one place to help you get started with Italian mandolin: the Southern Italian Mandolin thread, specifically the pdf file at post #25. It has helped me immeasurably with material for my Italian restaurant gig. Also, Martin Jonas has recorded several of these and made them available at his youtube channel, as well as right there in that thread. When I feel I'm ready I will do the same.

**Loretta Callahan** · Nov-05-2010, 1:01am

Bess is quite lovely!

**MandoNicity** · Nov-05-2010, 1:06am

Welcome to our obsession! Have fun on your journey.

JR

**Mandolin Mick** · Nov-05-2010, 1:53am

Welcome to the Cafe and so glad to have another obsessed mandolinist!!! Love the satin finish on your mandolin, like my F-9!

**Ivan Kelsall** · Nov-05-2010, 2:34am

Hi Lori & a warm welcome from the UK. I like the Breedlove Mandolins very much & yours looks delicious,it's no wonder you can't put it down - quite addictive little critters ain't they ?. The nicest thing about having a really good Mandolin,is that it makes you WANT to play it,that'll ensure you put the practice in,but don't overdo it & start getting hand / wrist pains as i did. I'm retired & i was putting in 7-8 hours a day - too much. I backed off & usually get 4 hours in these days,apart from lots of 'noodling' around,trying things out.
Enjoy your new hobby & your lovely Mandolin,
Ivan

**KristinEliza** · Nov-05-2010, 6:34am

Welcome Lori! How 'bout a picture of the bowlback too????

**Mandolovingirl** · Nov-05-2010, 6:37am

Thanks, Ed! I've seen your YouTube clips comparing your Breedlove to the Morris! I was surprised that I could actually tell a slight difference (Morris beat the Breedlove by a nose). I think i might have seen that you are selling your OO on the classifieds? I picked my KO partly due to the posts on here, but also because there is a very reputable dealer close to me. I thought it would be nice to actually play my Mando before buying it. Since I can't really play well enough to choose an instrument, the guy in the store was nice enough to alternate play between an OF and the KO repeatedly (I think he actually enjoyed himself-what a fun job). I picked the KO because it sounded better to my ear, and since all my playing is solo/alone, that's more important right now. The OF was great too, LOUD, and had a schertler pick up, so it was a really cool instrument, too. Also, the OF was more expensive and I didn't think I would use all the "bells and whistles" it had right now.
Lori

**Mandolovingirl** · Nov-05-2010, 6:38am

Hey Dennis! Thanks! Now, what is a Capo??? Hahaha! Seriously, though?
Lori

**Mandolovingirl** · Nov-05-2010, 6:40am

Thank you! I love your username! My husband is the world biggest Cubs fan. He grew up in Chicago. I've tried numerous times to get him to start liking another team. It's just sad and frustrating every year. We never fail to pit out our Cubs flag, though.

Lori

**Mandolovingirl** · Nov-05-2010, 6:41am

Thank you, Jill! I check out that group. Sounds fun! With my instructor, I learn about one song a week, but two could never hurt!

Lori

**Mandolovingirl** · Nov-05-2010, 6:44am

Thank you Susanna, journeybear, and everyone for the extremely warm welcome!

Susanna, you sound like you're in a similar situation as me! Look forward to getting to know all of you! I just realized I'm filling up this thread, so please consider this final post as a big, sincere THANK YOU!

Lori