Unexpected things/benefits about playing mandolin
Starting this as a companion thread to the "why mandolin" thread.
I started mando as an easier guitar with a unique voice, but over the years have had many unexpected and pleasant surprises about playing mandolin.
1) I didn't know there was classical literature for the mandolin.
2) I discovered I like bluegrass, and developed an appreciation for country music.
3) the mando family of instruments has a huge variety of voices and sounds, which really kicked MAS into overdrive for me.
The mando family is it's own topic really:
1) I love mandos of all kinds and voices, although I have tended towards a darker classical sound as I progress.
2) mandolas and octave mandos are beautiful sounding instruments to my ears.
3) four string mandolas and OM's scratch my guitar-envy by letting me sound pretty much like a guitar player when I want to, as they are basically tenor guitars by another name.
4) the 4-string electric mando family lets me pretend to be an electric guitar player on demand, loads of fun there, nothing like bending and some vibrato when you need it. :-)
Looking back, learning mando was a fantastic decision, far better than I knew when I started.
Davey Stuart tenor guitar (based on his 18" mandola design).
Eastman MD-604SB with Grover 309 tuners.
Eastwood 4 string electric mandostang, 2x Airline e-mandola (4-string) one strung as an e-OM.
DSP's: Helix HX Stomp, various Zooms.
Amps: THR-10, Sony XB-20.
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