An Introduction as a new member of the Cafe!

**rockabilly69** · Aug-07-2012, 3:21pm

Hi my name is Daniel Weldon and I just wanted to introduce myself. I am primarily a guitarist, but on every CD I've ever record (4), I always try to include a few mandolin pieces. No, there not Bluegrass tunes, and I can't play to that level anyway, but they are songs incorporate the mandolin as a featured instrument. I'm a professional musician doing more gigs than I can count, and like to change it up a bit, so I started introducing these mandolin oriented songs into my live shows. I've also taught a few side musicians how to play the mandolin specifically for my songs when I'm playing in duet or band formats.

Recently I just started playing some of my mandolin songs as solo pieces, so I thought I could use a higher quality American-made mandolin that was setup specifically for live work. That's when I started checking out the Cafe. I was interested in buying the best mandolin that I could find under $2000, and that would include an installed pickup. So I lurked here a while, and read as many posts as could, to learn as much as I could. Well, with your help, I bought a Breedlove American FF, with a factory installed LR Baggs Radius. I've had it for a few weeks now and already have about 10 gigs on. To say the least I'm very happy. So thank you. I also own a Bernard Allen 2 point oval sound hole mandolin (which I had no interest in modifying for live play as I would just like to keep it for recording), and a cheap Epiphone MM50 that I modified with an Weber Tailpiece, LR Baggs Radius, and a Cumberland ebony bridge (I learned about these mods here at the Cafe too). It was the Epiphone, after the mods, that got me into the mood for buying a quality mando. So thanks for that too. Unlike a lot of folks here, I am done buying mandolins as the Breedlove does exactly what I want it to do! Once again thanks for the help!!!

Here's one of my mando songs (it was recorded with my Bernard Allen 2 point)...
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7505686

**Jared Heddinger** · Aug-07-2012, 3:28pm

Your music sounds amazing! Keep up the good work!

**billhay4** · Aug-07-2012, 4:42pm

Nice stuff!
Bill

**JEStanek** · Aug-07-2012, 9:23pm

Welcome to the Cafe!

Jamie

**rockabilly69** · Aug-07-2012, 11:53pm

Thank you for welcoming me to the group.

**pjlama** · Aug-08-2012, 12:06am

Welcome aboard! Please contribute to help all of us along as well and for future lurkers.

**Fstpicker** · Aug-08-2012, 12:16am

A very nice recording there. Breedlove mandolins are some great USA made mandolins, that's for sure. You made a wise choice, especially if you're not necessarily using it for Bluegrass, because it seems to fit a broader range of styles than just one. The one or two I've played with excellent sounding and the quality is right up there with the best.

Enjoy it often.

Jeff

**mehrsam** · Aug-08-2012, 8:07am

Love it! You've got a great sound, Daniel. Welcome to the Cafe.

**rockabilly69** · Aug-09-2012, 2:30am

Originally Posted by Fstpicker

A very nice recording there. Breedlove mandolins are some great USA made mandolins, that's for sure. You made a wise choice, especially if you're not necessarily using it for Bluegrass, because it seems to fit a broader range of styles than just one. The one or two I've played with excellent sounding and the quality is right up there with the best.

Enjoy it often.

Jeff

Jeff, when I was lurking, that was statement I saw most! That they weren't traditional bluegrass instruments but good nontheless. I like it for what it is, and definately will be able to make music with it.

Once again thanks for all the nice welcomes!

Daniel

**Ben Milne** · Aug-09-2012, 2:45am

Originally Posted by rockabilly69

I am done buying mandolins

Nice mandolin, but yeh, good luck with that.

**mandopixie** · Aug-10-2012, 11:32pm

Welcome to the 'cafe! I like the song you linked, too.

**rockabilly69** · Aug-13-2012, 2:35am

Originally Posted by Ben Milne

Nice mandolin, but yeh, good luck with that.

Thanks for the vote of confidence

But I already own a great recording mandolin, and the Breedlove
does just what I need to do in a live performance situation. I am dedicated to the idea that I would
rather be practicing my songs, and learning to get the best tone possible out of what I have, than
spending so much time chasing down the holy grail instrument. I went through that with guitars
and resonators, and felt that I spent a ridiculous amount of precious of time in the search.