Piano was my first instrument (age 7). Mandolin was my second: 7th grade, an inexpensive Hans Hauser. Traveled across the country with it twice, lost it after a gig in Brooklyn in 1984. I've since been through three Gibson A's (each of which I sold after buckling, cracking, and other signs of Gibson-itis that I couldn't afford to repair), and I borrowed bandmate Paul's Ibanez for a number of years (thanks, Paul), but it's been a long long time since I owned a mandolin.
Enough! I did a lot of online looking, but you want to play it before you buy it....My friend Jeff, a mandolin enthusiast if ever there was one, recommends: The Music Emporium in Lexington, MA, Maple Leaf Music in Brattleboro, VT and, of course, Mandolin Bros. in Staten Island. And I'll put in a plug for my local Vintage Fret Shop in Ashland, NH, as well, while we're at it.
Last weekend I returned triumphant from my first visit to the Music Emporium with the best mandolin of my life, an obscure 1930 Harmony "viol" style (little nubs on each side and f-holes). It was one of maybe 30 mandolins, new and vintage, on the walls. Nothing I've played before could touch this instrument. It is a breeze--a pleasure-- to play right up to the 19th fret, and sounds so rich. I had come to feel that mandolin had its limitations as an instrument. Now I realize I was wrong.
It has one problem I didn't catch until I got home: an uneven surface is throwing off the pitch on the 15th fret of the D string. I want them to fix it for me (I think I spent enough), but can't bring myself to take it back to the shop right now--can't let it out of my sight, really.
I'll be playing it a bit in Dark of the Moon, the latest high school production I'm directing (and acting in--see below) at Sant Bani School, Sanbornton, NH Dec. 15-17th. I'll also be playing the beautiful 1976 dulcimer my brother made and gave me for my high school graduation.
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