Been Lurking, Finally Registered.

[Blistahz]

Thanks for having me!

I've been playing guitar, mainly fingerstyle acoustic, for 40 years. Wow! I thought I'd be WAY better by now... Anyway, arthritis in the base of both my thumbs has made what used to be awesome into something I've begun to avoid. I sold all the Good Stuff, kept what instruments felt easiest (less painful) to play. It hasn't been much fun...

I'd remembered that I had an old 70's Ibanez mandolin in my closet and dug it out. It was so nice to find that it was so much more comfortable to play than even my 'easy' guitars! I'd actually contemplated playing piano but soooo didn't want to do that. Mandolin may save the day.

The issue is, I'm not a mandolin player. This is painfully evident upon hearing me. I wasn't a guitar player either for about the 1st 5 years of taking up that. We'll see.

Years ago I had a really bad Fender mandolin that I used as trade-bait - with cash- for a neglected old 1966 Epiphone flat top. The top was caving and neck separating on my Ibanez 513 so that went away. Early last week I picked up a new Loar LM310 that sounds nice but needs a bit of love and attention. That's another story and will report on that as the work proceeds.

In closing, just glad to be in the group and will likely drive most of you nuts with dumb questions and sophomoric opinions.

Definitely hoping the mandolin can save me from piano. Anytime I see a picture of Dylan playing one I just feel depressed.

Dave

[Timbofood]

Dumb answers and sophomoric banter is what I do best!
The hook is set so now you’re in Mandolin trouble!
It’s really fun so, have right at it!

[AndyV]

Dylan can be depressing. Some of his best tunes.

Welcome Dave!

[HonketyHank]

Welcome Blistahz. There is a pretty good contingent of former (and current) guitar players here and we tolerate them well.

Mandolin vs piano? No contest. Piano has too many notes and only one way to play each.

[Cochiti Don]

Where are you located now?

[Mark Wilson]

Ben Lurking would be a cool user name for a while

[Randi Gormley]

Welcome to the mandolin and the cafe!

[Br1ck]

First, welcome.

Second, get Rob Meldrum's eBook

Third, well two is enough. You'll get around to asking about Blue Chip picks soon enough.

[Blistahz]

Thanks all!!!

I'm located in Massachusetts.

I emailed Rob but have not heard back. Maybe he's away...

Somewhere around here I have 2 Blue Chips and at least that many Red Bears. Seems picks are like single socks in that they have a place in the house that they hide. Even as a Yoot I never seemed to get along with picks very well. Something about just a finger on a string felt better than a piece of plastic in between. I'd buy expensive picks with the thought that I'd use them only to find myself wondering where I laid the thing down... Gonna have to go on a hunt but likely only find a bunch of old single socks..

Dave

[Jess L.]

Welcome!

[ukenukem]

Welcome! This is one of the nicest forums I have ever seen and I have gained a lot of knowledge I otherwise would have missed. Not too many mandolin players in these parts, or they hide themselves well.

[Stacey Morris]

Welcome Dave. Good to have you here!