In an act of final desperation, the mandolin search is being put to a vote: -Gilchrist F5 (used) -Gilchrist model 3 (used) -Wiens F5 (used) -Givens A6 (used) -Brentrup M23V (used) -Apitius F5 Classic
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My wonderful husband reviewing Brentrups with his mum over dinner...and wanting an especially unique one. Taking a mental and emotional break from the mandolin hunt to learn more about the recording process...
Although, you can still get a peek at the Givens on his Mac screen. Why, Mandolin Cafe, why? For some reason, my little thread introducing this blog was closed down... :( ...and it wasn't enough just to close my husband's thread, "The search continues..." but they also decided to delete it from the history of all threads just so no one could ever read it. Ever. Again. In a very strange, very small, very specific way, some people have too much power.
Oh well. Despite the hiccup, the search still continues...tune in to see what happens next and add your two cents in the comments here. A Wiens, perhaps? And the glow from my husband's phone first thing in the morning foretells the mandolin woes of the day... The search continues...
Oh yes, yes indeed, it does. Greetings. I am the wife of a musician. Right now, I am the wife of an obsessive human being on a quest (via mostly YouTube videos and Mandolin Cafe threads) for the best mandolin his (ahem, OUR) money can buy. I can't begin to fully explain the experience I've had throughout the past two months...and counting. It is equally awe-inspiring and horrifying to see his commitment to this cause. I mean, truly, if we all somehow had the same commitment and stamina in our own lives that my husband has had in his search, we would all be much better and accomplished people. Either that, or facing an intervention by some seriously concerned family and friends. (Which I do believe may be on the horizon, should this continue much longer...) Although mandolins have been the leading lady in my husband's life for longer than I - in fact, now that I think of it, maybe that makes ME the other woman - I have been around long enough to witness some remarkable ups and downs in relation to this seemingly unassuming instrument. Honestly, as a pianist and someone who considers herself to be a fairly competent musician and piano teacher, I had never even given a thought to the mandolin before meeting my husband. I think I knew they existed, but I really had no idea what they even sounded like, much less an understanding of the fervent devotion those who play have for them. Anyway. My husband has had his share of pretty notable pieces that have come and gone one way or another, including the Dudenbostel formerly owned by Chris Thile (the one, my husband is quick to point out, that was used on his favorite Thile album of all time, Not All Who Wander Are Lost), a Gibson ("distressed master model," my husband adds), and most recently - albeit briefly - a Gilchrist. There have been many others, and I am not so naive to believe there won't be many more... I have learned as much as the wife of this particular musician. So, why the blog? Well, it seems there is an audience waiting with bated breath to hear what mandolin my husband will finally settle on. Which one will it be?! The Givens? The Brentrup? The Gilchrist? A Wiens? (Did anyone else just get a feeling of needing Chris Harrison, host of the Bachelor/Bachelorette, waiting in the wings to present the final rose?) Don't even get me started on the "S holes" and "F holes"...um, what did you just say to me, Sweetie? I'll post my observations, videos...maybe an interview or two...and who knows what else...to help record the hero on his journey. What villains will he encounter? What helpers and mentors will help him on his quest? Will he achieve his final goal? Tune in to see what happens! P.S. My husband officially has absolutely no mandolin at this time, after making the painful decision to return the Gilchrist. ...Dear God help me. |