New To The Cafe And Mandolin

Hello, All,
Figured I would take a few moments to introduce myself as I have been using this resource for a couple of months and just joined today. Anyway, I have played bass for nearly 25 years. A month or 2 before Christmas I was talking to my wife while playing about being a bit bored and wanting to challenge myself again. I thought she was just barely listening to me. Fast forward to Christmas morning and I unwrapped a Washburn M1SDLB (Black A-style with scrolled headstock). The mandolin obsession took hold instantly and I had to be pulled out of a room to come eat dinner. While I know these aren't the most highly regarded instruments, with a recent professional set-up it actually sounds pretty good and is very easy to play. As mentioned before the obsession took hold quickly. I have also purchased a The Loar 520, had it set up by the same local luthier, and love it as well. Turns out MAS is a real thing and I am hoping to have Sonny Morris build me a mandolin in the very near future. Bluegrass (Jamgrass) is the genre of preference and my wife and I have been regulars at local bluegrass shows and festivals. I am loving the community that has come along with the mandolin. Through the relationship with the local luthier and a gentleman I am taking lessons from, I have been invited to jams and have seen my playing progress quickly. Thanks for being here as this site has already influenced some of my decisions related to the mandolin.

It's great you found Sonny Morris. And even though you aren't new here, welcome to MandolinCafe.

Welcome! May you enjoy the mandolin and the Café for many years in good health!

So, you started playing on Christmas and now own two mandolins and have a luthier building you a third? Major props to you, sir, you're one of us. Enjoy!

Welcome, Willem!

Thanks for the welcome. Yes it has become an obsession very quickly lol. Not sure how I made it the previous 25 years of playing music without having picked up a mandolin; especially considering my musical preferences. To be clear, Mr. Morris is not yet building me a mandolin, but hope to have that going by early summer. I want to develop my playing a bit more before taking the custom built leap.

Sorry to say, you got bitten BAD by the mandolin bug! Congratulations, and enjoy the disease!

Oh yes, you have MAS for sure. No second opinion needed LOL. One suggestion, having explored custom built instruments and patiently waiting on a build list... some builders can be years away from building something commissioned today. I’m not sure about Mr. Morris but perhaps ask what his lead time is, your playing will certainly have developed by the time it’s on his bench. Have fun!

Welcome to the Cafe! Enjoy the ride.

Jamie

Welcome to the cafe’.
Glad to have you here!

Welcome aboard!

While I certainly share your enthusiasm -- and urge to keep adding mandolins: I've got about 15 or so! –– let me also suggest that you try to exhaust the potential and possibilities of each instrument, before moving on to the next one. One can look around in a year or so and think, "Hey, I spent $XXX for that mandolin, and it hasn't been out of its case in eight months. Now my kids have no shoes, and the sheriff's put a lien on the house..."

Well, just kidding, but it's so damn tempting when you consider all the great instruments available out there. I'm a very poor role model of restraint, and I can't say I regret any of my many many mandolin purchases, but I will say that each new one I acquired, I played frequently and consistently (given the type of music for which it was suited) for an extended period. Then, of course, I found a new "sweetheart," and the old one went into the case and up on the shelf.

Still, I pull each one out from time to time, just to recall what it sounds and feels like, or because the situation arises that calls for its particular voice. I took my Weber "sopranolin" -- the one that's tuned a fourth higher than a standard mandolin -- to a sing-around last night, mainly because I hadn't played it since Thanksgiving or so, and it deserved a night out. You may do the same with the Washburn or the Loar, even when that gorgeous new Morris shows up.

Or not...

Welcome Willem! (I basically checked this thread tomsee if you were my next door neighbour Willem, which you’re not. )
In the immortal words of Click and Clack, “You’re done for!”

Welcome to the Cafe. With 2 new mandolins and plans of the next one in less than 6 months, you have come to the right place! :mandosmiley:

Greetings from Richmond, Virginia!

Enjoy your mandolin(s)!

f-d

Good morning and welcome.