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Right on, IMHO... We're musicians selling to musicians, that's where I like to start.

Every seller must make their own decision about this, of course. However, my philosophy is that musical instruments are highly personal things—and even if you've read lots of online details, seen and...

And having said all that—the player is the most important part of all. ;?)

Wow, Asheville NC—that's where my mom's family is from. No kidding. They grew up in the mountains there, chasing pigs around the yard barefoot, etc. (I mean my mom's family was barefoot; it's...

Whew. When you get to that level of craftsmanship, every piece of wood is different, and saying that one brand—or even one instrument—is going to be "better" than another is pointless. What's more,...

There's probably not much I can add to this conversation, but I could reiterate what some people have said.

I find it very hard to believe that the inclusion of a scroll could have any appreciable...

Parajack, I think getting a teacher at this point is a great idea. It'll cost some dough, of course, but a good teacher can save you a lot of time—not just by motivating you and giving you positive...

Dude, that's it exactly—it must start with enjoyment anyway, or there's no point.

Sure, some people end up doing other things with their music. But anyone who plays music just for money or fame...

In addition to his considerable chops, this was a guy with real charm, class and generosity. Rest in peace, my man.

I agree, Mandolin Cafe's Classifieds are great, because you can look at a seller's (or buyer's) history in the forum—see how long they've been on and what kinds of messages they've posted, and get a...

Hi again guys,

It's interesting to return to this thread four years later, having gotten email notification that people were posting to it again. Eastman mandos continue to be popular and sold in...

If I am, I'd be glad to know about it... That's probably one of the reasons I started this thread.

Hey guys,

I've let this thread stew for a while, and your posts have been very thought-provoking... Thanks for that!

I'm still not sure I've clearly expressed what I meant when I started this...

Yep. When you play naturally, without trying to control every movement, eventually the music can seem like it's playing itself while we watch.

There's actually a scientific explanation: With...

Sweet! There's nothing more soulful than a mandola, and you have an excellent one on the way.

If I can throw in my two cents' worth:

Once you find the exercises you like, I believe the most important thing you can do is use a metronome to play them evenly. And always listen to the kind of...

Smart businesspeople know that, in the long run, their reputation is much more important than saving a bit of effort or money here and there. Dennis and his gang not only have that kind of wisdom,...

A big part of quality instrument-making is how instruments mature.

I'm a piano player too. In the piano business, it's generally acknowledged that fine German pianos such as Steinways, Schimmels...

I'm just seeing this now—so you're saying I've missed the opportunity to make a goofball of myself by trying to order it? Dang!

I'm glad to see this thread got so much interest. Thanks for the thought-provoking replies.



Sure, $1000, or even $500, is serious dough in many people's books. But I couldn't resist saying...

Hey guys,

Okay—we've all seen the photos and read the discussions about how fabulous-sounding, gorgeous, and expensive higher-end mandolins can be. It's an art form, for sure. There are endless...

Buh ha ha! Some great music has been created from that point on. Maybe most of it. After all, if no one was ever willing to play "wrong" stuff, we'd still be banging sticks on rocks (and only on the...

Ha, that's great—I often share that story, and it sure applies here. Yeah, you haven't lived if you haven't tried practicing with both your TV and stereo going in the background.

Damn, those are cool—I'm ordering m'self one right now. They say coffee helps you play faster, too.

Ha ha! And I thought I was exercising such self-control by not posting a "dating" gag as soon as I saw the topic.

That said, there are definitely times I'm more interested in taking my mandolin...