Taking a cue from FaceBook: The Mandolin 10:

[Santiago]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)?
2. What's your current mandolin?
3. What's your next mandolin?
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store?
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence?
6. What was the first instrument you learned?
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud?
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)?
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)?
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not?
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar?

I'll go first:
1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Nugget.
2. What's your current mandolin? Eastman 605
3. What's your next mandolin? Eastman 614 or Eastwood Mandocaster
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Mandolin Brothers -- I'm lucky to live in New York.
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Tougher than I thought... Dog.
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Violin.
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Waltz for Bill Monroe by Butch.
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? The Cup coffee house.
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 1, she hates mandolin. Of course I didn't play it until we were married 18 years.
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Oval, F, Florida.
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? Santiago's a character from The Old Man and The Sea. I used the name previously on a Kayaking site. I'm not Hispanic, though I respect the people and admire their cultures and music.

[Bob Wiegers]

I'll bite.

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? probably a LaBraid octave, or something similar.
2. What's your current mandolin? Epi MM30, Trinity College Octave
3. What's your next mandolin? perhaps an Eastman 504. I'm content for now tho.
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? is Gruhn's local enough?
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Mike Marshall probably, for his Appalachian stuff with Edgar.
6. What was the first instrument you learned? bass guitar.
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? my own compositions
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? outdoor festival at my tiny college
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 9. she unconditionally loves and encourages my music
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Oval, A, not.
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? self-explanitory

[Jill McAuley]

1. Favourite mandolin: 2005 Labraid A that's on the Gruhn website right now.
2. Current mandolin: 1985 Flatiron 2M
3. 2003 Weber Aspen II (in transit), and once the tax refund arrives a Redline Traveler pancake.
4. Fave mandolin store: I regularly check both The Mandolin Store website and Mandolin Brothers website as well.
5. Biggest mandolin musical influence: I play Irish trad stuff, and have come to the mandolin via tenor banjo so most of my influences are banjo players. For mandolin I like Mick Moloney's playing and I've liked what I've heard of Brian Taheny too.
6. First instrument learned: Drums and guitar (started them both at the same time, when I was 11)
7. Piece of music you play that you're most proud of: I play a mean version of Sean Ryan's Dancing Eyes. It offers lots of great opportunities for ornamentation and variations. It's always the first tune I play whenever I pick up a mandolin or tenor banjo.
8. Largest public venue played in? Somewhere in the woods of Marin County after a big hike and a picnic (hey, nature is a public venue, right?) to an audience of 2 dogs and one other person, and various incognito wildlife critters.
9. How does spouse or significant other rate your mandolin playing? Don't have either at the moment, however, one of my dogs gives it the big paws up, she loves the mandolin and will come right over and curl up beside me when I play, whereas the other dog DESPISES it, she's just not a musical critter I'm afraid.
10. Oval or F holes, A or F style? I'm definitely an oval A style fan.
11. User name and avatar significance? User name is my name/Avatar is a photo of one of my dogs (the mandolin loving one!), at a rest stop in Wyoming when we first arrived in the States and were driving across country last spring.

Cheers,
Jill

[Brett Moore]

1. Favourite mandolin: My 2008 Stan Miller F-5 #038
2. Current mandolin: same as favorite mando
3. Next mandolin: My very own #001, currently in the works!
4. Fave mandolin store: Cotten Music in Nashville- my neighborhood shop!
5. Biggest mandolin musical influence: Marshall/Steffey/Thile/Cobb
6. First instrument learned: Guitar
7. Piece of music you play that you're most proud of: the Gigue from Bach's D minor partita for solo violin.
8. Largest public venue played in? Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center
9. How does spouse or significant other rate your mandolin playing? 11 out of 10 because she loves me! And its helps that she's a fiddler/loves bluegrass
10. Oval or F holes, A or F style? F holes, F style
11. User name and avatar significance? Well, its my name...

[mandopete]

What's a Facebook?

[Mike Black]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Nugget
2. What's your current mandolin? Summit F-200C and Custom Arch-top Octave Mandolin
3. What's your next mandolin? A4 snakehead copy with Virzi.
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Mass Street Music
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Dave Grisman and Dave Firestine
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Trumpet
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Yes
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? The ones my wife and I wrote.
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? Liberty Hall - MandoFest opening for Mike Marshall, Butch Baldassari & Don Sternberg.
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 9
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? F-holes that have the warmth of an oval hole but still the projection. Loar A5-shape. No Florida!
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? My Avitar is the Arch-top Octave Mandolin that I just built.

[homermando]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)?Old Wave
2. What's your current mandolin?Old Wave "A" with "F" holes
3. What's your next mandolin?an E mando?
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store?Mass Street Music
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Andy Statman
6. What was the first instrument you learned? guitar
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Whatever feels real and inspired
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? Earth Day in Austin
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)?5 or 6
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not?
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar?

[mandomurph]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Dudenbostel
2. What's your current mandolin? Givens A3, Cole F5, Gibson A, Martin Oval.
3. What's your next mandolin? Still looking.
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Gryphon
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Mike Compton
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Violin
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Not yet.
Real
7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Ashoken Farewell
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)?
A wedding.
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 4 or 5
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? All
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? Nickname at jams.

[woodwizard]

1. Favourite mandolin: Gibson Loar signed F5
2. Current mandolin: Gibson F5 Goldrush
3. Next mandolin: Gibson F4
4. Fave mandolin store: Janet Davis and The Mandolin Store
5. Biggest mandolin musical influence: Bill Monroe and most current Butch Baldassari
6. First instrument learned: Bass
7. Piece of music you play that you're most proud of: Jerusalem's Ridge & Uncle Herman's Hornpipe or you could say the newest tune I've learned most recent.
8. Largest public venue played in? Gulley Park-Fayettville AR maybe around 2000+ people
9. How does spouse or significant other rate your mandolin playing? (5) she's seen Marchall, Thile, Compton, Bush and the Dawg "live"... a (5) only because she loves me!
10. Oval or F holes, A or F style? Both ... both again play a F5 tho
11. User name and avatar significance? I am a Wood Sculpturer and I like Gibson mandolin's

[Ted Eschliman]

Originally Posted by mandopete

What's a Facebook?

Pete, a better question is "What is Facebook for?"

[mdlorenz]

On the rare occasion that I have nothing do do in the evenings....

[mandopete]

[QUOTE=Ted Eschliman;637214]Pete, a better questions is "What is Facebook for?"

People I Know From Various Websites Who I'll Probably Never Actually Meet

L.O.L. !

[man dough nollij]

1. My new Eastman 505. Love the one you're with!
2. Ditto
3. Old Wave oval
4. Elderly (though I've never been there)
5. Dawg or Sam
6. Mandolin
7. My mindless noodling
8. The Kiwi A-frame on the Ross ice shelf
9. N/A
10. ff A at the moment
11. Old avatar is Conan, the best dog in the universe. New one is me and uncle Pen.

[sloanypal]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)?Giacomel J5
2. What's your current mandolin? Gibson F9, Gibson EM200
3. What's your next mandolin? Brentrup
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store?Homestead Pickin' Parlor
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence?Sam Bush
6. What was the first instrument you learned?Piano
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud?Norwegian wood
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)?either a bar or my church
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)?6 or 7...she really does think I'm good...true love
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not?F,F,not
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar?A friend's daughter started calling me Sloanypal as soon as she could talk.

[pickloser]

I'm in.

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Phoenix Ultra
2. What's your current mandolin? a Phoenix Ultra that puts a smile on my face just thinking about it, and a Ratcliff A that was born to play bluegrass--it can blow your hair back.
3. What's your next mandolin? I think (hope) I'm done. I can't really imagine enjoying a mandolin more than my Phoenix.
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Jackson's Music in Winston-Salem, NC. Helpful staff, fair prices, good selection.
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? I went to a Nickel Creek concert and Chris Thile showed me that the mandolin could do much, much more than I had ever thought. Caught a fever that night. Haven't gotten over it yet. Now, though, I'd say Don Stiernberg. I heard him at Kaufman Mandolin Kamp, and I said to myself, "that's how I want to play." Clean, pure tone, unless he wants it to growl. Lovely, melodic lines without superfluous ornamentation. Less showboating of his technical mastery of the mandolin, more music.
6. What was the first instrument you learned? First I played (and loved, dearly) was ukelele. First I learned was piano.
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Tiny Moore's arrangement of Little Rock Getaway out of an old Mandolin World News.
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? wedding reception background music--about 150 guests (I played guitar mostly with my playing partner on mandolin. But we switched for a half dozen or so tunes.)
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate you as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 6--some people are easily impressed
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scooped?) or not? F holes, but I haven't played many ovals; no shape preference, altho I have a 2 point and an A and don't miss the scroll; no Florida, thanks, but if I have to have one, I want it scooped. I also like a radius on the fretboard, a small nut width, and a V-shaped neck.
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avatar? I have an unfortunate tendency to lose picks. As a guitar player, it was just kinda funny. But it's not so amusing with the more expensive mando picks. The avatar is of Pilot Mountain, a favorite spot near where I live. I've lost about a half dozen picks there.

[allenhopkins]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? All of 'em.
2. What's your current mandolin? See below.
3. What's your next mandolin? Dunno -- bowl-back mandocello if I can find one.
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Stutzman's Guitar Center.
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Monroe/Bobby Osborne/anyone I've heard.
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Flute (really!); first stringed, 5-string banjo.
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Arrested development, anyway.
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? You mean, "least embarrassed?" Castle Kelly on the English concertina.
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? NPR's Folk Festival USA back in the '70's; Old Songs Festival, New England Folk Festival, bunch of regional venues.
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? -2.5, annoying.
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Yes -- all of 'em.
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? Name is, well, name; avatar is a line drawing of me at the Cheshire Dump Folk Festival (really!) about 35 years ago, holding my ol' Martin HD-28.

[mandopete]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? John Reischman's Loar.
2. What's your current mandolin? A brown one.
3. What's your next mandolin? A less brown one.
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Dusty Strings in Seattle.
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? John Reischman.
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Piano
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Noneya.
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Piece a what?
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? State of California.
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 10!
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Oval-shaped F-holes with the Gulf of Mexico being dredged.
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? Cowbell Bob was not available at the time.

There, that's for you Duane!

[JEStanek]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Brentrup 3 Point oval hole
2. What's your current mandolin? Labraid L&H Style A inspired, Spira cant top, Eastman 805D, TC OM, L&H Conservatory Bowl
3. What's your next mandolin? I don't need another
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Vintage Instruments in Philly
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Too many! Mike Marshall, Dan Zanes, Bach, Jim Garber....
6. What was the first instrument you learned? French Horn. Yay off beats!
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Several armed robberies, murders, attempted murder, mayhem, corruption of a Gotham DA see the avatar!
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Tree of Life
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? A closing ceremony for a church retreat with a bunch of others. Simple Chording. For about 100 people
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? She preferes the sound of my OM and enjoys it when I play for her. She knows I'm no Mike Marshall. She knows how little I practice.
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Oval, A, abbreviated

Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? My name is my name. My avatar suits my personality(ies)

[Patrick Gunning]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Dudenbostel #5
2. What's your current mandolin? Collings MT
3. What's your next mandolin? Voight #7 *cackles with glee*
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Dusty Strings (Seattle, WA)
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Chris Thile and David Grisman
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Violin
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? a song of mine called "Be Together" on guitar, on mandolin, Chris Thile's Raining at Sunset
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? A local music festival on a farm (~200 people)
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? bleh
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? F holes, F shape, No Florida, no scooping
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? I can't seem to get rid of it

[D C Blood]

I think I like this...

1. What's your favorite (dream?) mandolin? Loar F5
2. What's your current mandolin? Ratcliff Silver Eagle '96
3. What's your next mandolin? what next???
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Gruhn, Elderly
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Duffey
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Uke, tenor guitar
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? no
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? whatever I manage to stumble through
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? Homecoming, uNIV OFNew Mexico, 1975, Opened for Jim Stafford, probably 30,000?
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? 10 (or else she'd fire me)
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? F, F, doesn''t matter
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar?
name and current, (final) mandolin

[carleshicks]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Crusher
2. What's your current mandolin? 2002 Derrington signed Master Model
3. What's your next mandolin? Don't need one
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store?First Quality
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence?Bill Monroe, David Grisman
6. What was the first instrument you learned?Mandolin
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? No
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud?Bird land Breakdown
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? At the evert dulcimer Festival in Mi when i was 17
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)?10 if she knows what is good for her. LOL
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Fhole F shape No scoop
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar?
it is the peghead of my mando

[Ted Eschliman]

<can't believe I'm doing this when I should be working>
1. What's your favorite mandolin ? Clark JM
2. What's your current mandolin? Clark JM
3. What's your next mandolin? Clark JM10 (ten-string Fandola JM)
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? (n/a)
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Don Stiernberg
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Piano, later clarinet
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Only my development has ever been arrested
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Anytime I can accompany my 10 year-old daughter playing her violin.
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live? Church (600-1000 people per service), three services once a month)
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player? She asks me to practice in the garage. Door shut. Engine running. No number, but that should give you an idea.
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? F holes, 2-point, no extension
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avatar? Scott Tichenor having fun with Photoshop. At my expense...

[Dfyngravity]

1. What's your favorite mandolin ? Red Diamond (regret selling it everyday!)
2. What's your current mandolin? Eastman 614 (just got it yesterday)
3. What's your next mandolin? Holst (it is underway....oh and is it going to be awesome!!!)
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? (n/a)
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? David Grisman and Shawn Lane
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Guitar and mandolin together
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Not yet, knock on wood
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in Sol Maggiore, double mandolin concerto (just love this piece)
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live? High School auditorium, between 500-800 people.
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player? Just the other day she said, "you are getting better"....not exactly sure what says about my playing....but I guess I am improving!!
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? Just got my first F4 and I and diggin' it, I have always played and F5 or A5....but if it is a mandolin I love it. If I had t chose, F5.
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avatar? They are tuners made by Nicolo Alessi, and they will be on my new Holst that is currently being built.

[Richard Moore]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)? Currently the one below
2. What's your current mandolin? Sim Daley A
3. What's your next mandolin? I quite like the look of the Pomeroy oval hole if finances ever allow... but will keep my Daley!
4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store? Don't have one... would like to visit the Mandolin Store, Mandolin Brothers and Elderly Music one day
5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence? Dave Grisman, Mick Moloney, Simon Mayor, Ry Cooder + numerous others
6. What was the first instrument you learned? Mandolin
7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)? Not yet!
Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud? Da Slockit Light is my current favourite though not a particularly difficult piece.
8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)? Around 1000
9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)? She seems to like my playing but modesty precludes me from attributing a score.
10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not? 1. A style F holes 2. A style oval hole
Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar? It is my name! The avatar is for where I live - Scotland

[Keith Erickson]

1. What's your favorite mandolin (you don't have to own it)?

It's being built as we speak.

2. What's your current mandolin?

MK A+ & Maderia Guild Mandocello

3. What's your next mandolin?

Ludewig Emory Lester Model

4. What's your favorite (local if applicable) mandolin store?

Folk Shop in Tucson, Arizona

5. Who was your biggest mandolin musical influence?

John Paul Jones- for planting the mando bug in 1986.

6. What was the first instrument you learned?

Clarinet- and I'm dead serious

7. Were you ever arrested (just making fun of FaceBook here, don't respond to this one)?

I plead the 5th

Real 7: Of which piece of music that you play are you most proud?

Ubi Caritas- I don't know why but I love that song

8. What's the largest public venue where you've ever played mandolin live (no shame if it's your bedroom)?

Every Sunday at 8:30 am mass. At least 200-300 parishoners

9. How would your spouse (or significant other if you're single) rate your as a mandolin player (1 bad to 10 fantastic)?

She likes what she hears but she also gives me constructive criticism. To hard to quantify.

10. Oval or F holes, A or F shape, Florida (scouped?) or not?

F-holes and scooped

Bonus question 11: What's the significance of your user name and/or Avitar?

It was the name my parents gave me the day I was born and for my avitar.... I don't know too many folks with a mandocello in their avitar.