We enjoyed viewing the online tour at the SmokeMusic Archives with the accompanying Bob Moses print article, How to Buy a Mandolin. Live commentary and insights from our friend Brad Einhorn (Kings County Strings) and retail legend Stan Jay of Mandolin Brothers make you feel your right there midst a world class collection of mandolins to poke and pick. This is a short video and worth a few minutes to watch.

We tackled this subject in an archived article, The Basics of Auditioning Instruments with some important considerations. Getting over the initial fascination of a new or foreign instrument, one needs to take into account the proper amount of time needed to adapt and assess, allow for the mandolin's adjustable variables, and the environment of the audition itself.

If you've got a few minutes, go back and review this article. Note it is now the holiday season; you harbor a responsibility in single-handedly reviving the disastrous global economy with a purchase in a new instrument.

At least it makes a good excuse for the spouse...

How about buying one of these? First one to contact Jeff gets another $200 knocked of the price by mentioning this article.

Posted by Ted at November 27, 2008 8:39 AM