Can you talk me off the MAS ledge?

[John Garcia]

I'm suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to spend a few K on a mandolin. I'm not a great player, but I hope to be. Will this feeling pass?

[nickster60]

No it is hopeless, if you are thinking about it you have already lost the battle.

[Josh Levine]

The best you can do at this point is not buy new. Watch the market and do your research. God speed.

[darrylicshon]

Yes buy used because if you don't then soon you will want to buy another that costs more, if you buy used you can skip a level and get a great one

[dcoventry]

I'm suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to spend a few K on a mandolin. I'm not a great player, but I hope to be. Will this feeling pass?

Will it pass? God, I hope not! What possible fun would that be.

My prescription is to be patient and wait for something you think is a really cool choice and go for it. With a standard Cafe return policy, what could possibly go wrong?

[jclover]

I am a terrible mandolin player (trying to fix that) and have spent a large amount of money on mandolins...because the feeling does not pass and I could. If I had listened to the advice posted here - buy used - I would have saved a great deal of money and had the same or better level of instruments. So if you can afford it, indulge in a nice instrument! A very fine used instrument will cost serious coin but will also retain its value if you want to sell/trade it, and most likely, you will.

[atbuckner21]

I am struggling with it now too. I have been a guitarist for most of my life, but have always been drawn to the mandolin. About 3 months ago I shifted my focus to the mandolin and acquired a 1976 Ode A5 which I love. I still crave more mandolins, and I was never that way with guitar.

[pheffernan]

I'm suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to spend a few K on a mandolin.

Just one?

[DataNick]

Just one?

Just one............................more!

Resistance is futile!

[eadg145]

Well, you can see that no one here is going to talk you back from that ledge. We're more a support group for MAS.

I will offer this consolation, though. I jumped on an opportunity to buy a really nice mandolin that far exceeded my ability, and I have found that it really advanced my playing substantially. I hope it does for you, too!

[Ron McMillan]

I will offer this consolation, though. I jumped on an opportunity to buy a really nice mandolin that far exceeded my ability, and I have found that it really advanced my playing substantially. I hope it does for you, too!

That's something we seldom see here. Much more common is the complete beginner who jumps straight in for an instrument costing several thousand dollars, then complains about how it doesn't feel 'right' (how can it be 'wrong' if you're a complete beginner?) - so he dumps it and grabs another one, and another, so that six months into his mandolin experience he has bought and sold several high-grade instruments, each one at a loss, and each one perfectly good enough to have lasted him for years.

eadg145 rather brilliantly avoided that minefield. Well done, that man

[fatt-dad]

order a mandolin from a builder with a long waiting list. That'll give you temporary relief.

f-d

[John Garcia]

I am shocked that absolutely no one is talking me down! I do have my eye on a used instrument, I appreciate that advice.

"Just one?", now that cracks me up.....

[jclover]

I am shocked that absolutely no one is talking me down! I do have my eye on a used instrument, I appreciate that advice.

"Just one?", now that cracks me up.....

You are right, we have not been much help. Sorry about that! So...maybe you should post a link to this fine mandolin you have your eye on...it might mysteriously sell before you can buy it.

[pheffernan]

I am shocked that absolutely no one is talking me down! I do have my eye on a used instrument, I appreciate that advice.

I'd be happy to talk you down . . . if it's the same used instrument that I have my eye on, of course.

[wildpikr]

eadg145's support group concept is on target - we're more like 'enablers'. Buy what [as many as] you want and have fun!

[Rush Burkhardt]

Misery loves company!

[OldSausage]

Don't do it. Mandolins are a horrible waste of money. Get yourself a nice banjo instead.

[Bertram Henze]

Now take that plunge and get it over with

But don't come back to me when you toss in your sleep at night, haunted by nightmares of that mandolin, waiting for you in its case under your bed, silently, patiently

[multidon]

Buy a guitar instead! Reasons why:

1. The quality will be twice as good as the mandolin for the same amount of money.
2. When you want to sell it you won't have to explain what it is to anybody. Nobody will say "What is that? A really big ukulele?"

[George R. Lane]

I say jump off of that ledge and make sure you land in the deep end, just like all of us did.

[Mark Wilson]

I'm not a great player, but I hope to be. Will this feeling pass?

Hopefully (in my case) not a reason to put off enjoying a nicer mandolin.

[JeffD]

Its a wonderful place to be. You will either have a new mandolin, or you will have a couple of K hanging around burning a hole in your pocket. An envious position either way. Enjoy the moment, then enjoy the fall.

[Timbofood]

If you have the disposable income, just get it! If it will put a strain on the household, don't. But, if you must/can find something in the gently played department, better bang for buck.
In other words, no, we can't talk you off the ledge.

[multidon]

Also, did you know that The Mandolin Store has easy payment financing? NFI.

Oh wait, weren't we supposed to be discouraging you?