My first mandolin!!!

[rabbimatt]

Playing guitar for 30 years. Definitely a decent player.
Mostly for fun and friends but I also play in a group that leads instrumental worship service in my congregation once a month.

Been itching to get a mandolin as of late. Finally took the plunge. Found a used Eastman 505. Only about 2 years old, but honestly looks like its never been played. Even the case doesn't have a scratch on it. I know enough about guitars to have checked it out myself. Neck straight, frets even and unworn, action good, intonation right on. Got it for $475 which seems like a very reasonable deal.

Now I just need to learn how to play the thing.

[Paul Busman]

Welcome-- you're in for a lot of fun!

[Mike Scott]

Welcome to the Cafe. Lots of great info and good people can be found here!

[UsuallyPickin]

Enjoy and Welcome! R/

[trodgers]

Sounds like you are off to a great start!

[Br1ck]

My first mandolin was an Eastman 505. Even if you think it plays well, get a set of feeler gauges and a six inch metal ruler, And Rob Meldrum's free e book and check you mandolin against the measurements in the set up book. You'll then know if it needs work. You did good on the mandolin and the price.

[AHoyle]

Great mando congrats. Love Eastman mandolins and it looks like you got a great deal. I second the advice Br1ck gave about checking the setup. But hey if it plays and feels good to you then play on my friend.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Got one about five years ago. (Been playing guitar since '68.) Now I'm on my second and third. Too much fun. Enjoy!

[kurth83]

That's a great first mandolin, I'm still playing on Eastman's after three years.

[Denny Gies]

Ditto what is said by everyone above. You are in for a lot of fun and it will give a nice complexity to your group once you get the hang of it. Good luck.

[Eric Hanson]

Congrats!!
And, Welcome to the fun!

[Randi Gormley]

Welcome to the cafe and the mandolin!

There are a few strings around from guitarists who have taken the plunge if you want to see some specific suggestions -- but the main ones are that the mandolin is NOT a little guitar played upside down, that the technique is different and that it wouldn't be a bad thing to check out Mike Marshall's Youtube video on how to hold the mandolin even if you've played other instruments for decades. Mandolin is its own instrument and you can get the most out of it if you approach it as a completely new experience and then be astounded and delighted when there's cross-over -- not that it's all cross-over except a change here and there.

[Br1ck]

Just aproach it as a different instrument. You're ahead of the game if you can hold a pick. The closeness of the courses of mandolin strings need a more compact pick stroke. After a while you'll find your guitar playing will be cleaner because of this.

[MikeZito]

My first mandolin was purchased on eBay in 1999 - brand new for $79, including shipping. You can probably guess that it wasn't exactly a high-end instrument, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Learn, play, enjoy and keep us posted.

[David Toomey]

So funny to see this post.
I was just getting ready to post about a similar situation.
I've been playing acoustic and electric guitar for what seems like forever, and a I'm also a big bluegrass fan.
My post was to be "Am I crazy to want to buy a mandolin at 62 years old even though Ive never played a note on one?"
Well am I?
You know what the next question is....

[Phil Goodson]

No, it's okay to buy a mandolin now.
Kentucky in the $500 range. If you buy used, you won't lose anything if you don't like it and sell.
You're welcome.

[BrianWilliam]

Yes! Congrats! Play it every day!

[Caleb]

I used to have a 505. Great instrument. Congratulations.

[DocT]

Great fun, isn't it. I am still learning, and very new, but I have enjoyed this so much I am selling my guitar.

[Doug Brock]

Great fun, isn't it. I am still learning, and very new, but I have enjoyed this so much I am selling my guitar.

Don't rush into selling your guitar! I mainly play mandolin these days, but it's still great to have a guitar nearby.

[Caleb]

Don't rush into selling your guitar! I mainly play mandolin these days, but it's still great to have a guitar nearby.

Agreed. I felt the same about guitar when I got seriously into mandolin, but I was glad later I kept my guitar. YMMV.

[Br1ck]

So funny to see this post.
I was just getting ready to post about a similar situation.
I've been playing acoustic and electric guitar for what seems like forever, and a I'm also a big bluegrass fan.
My post was to be "Am I crazy to want to buy a mandolin at 62 years old even though Ive never played a note on one?"
Well am I?
You know what the next question is....

I was 65 when my grandson announced to my wife that I was going to buy one so he could play it when he came over. My only regret was I didn't buy a Collings when I had that endorsement. But three years later guitar players are asking me to play with them. There are many online resources available to learn whatever style you feel like learning.