NID - New Instrument Day

[S. Cane]

I'd like to share my happiness with you. Just bought an instrument that I wanted for quite a long time.

Back in my classical guitarist days I played transcriptions of Antonio Vivaldi's Mandolin works and there are songs like The Battle of Evermore that I really love. I have a thing for fine and delicate instruments, although I am mainly a guitar player.

So, I came across this VERY nice mandolin. It's a Giannini, a hand made series Brazilian mandolin. This one was adjusted by one of the most famous and respected Choros player from my home town (the Mandolin is a very popular folk instrument here). He also made a new bone bridge for it.

It is so fine I couldn't resist. Perfect condition for an instrument that counts good 10 years of age, plays sweet and has an outstanding sustain, just perfect for what I want it.







I think it's impossible not to love this playing, these compositions are some of the reasons whyJimmy Page is one of my idols:

[JDUB]

Congrats. I had a Giannini cutaway guitar, many moons ago.

[ch willie]

That looks great. Hope you have a great time playing it.

[S. Cane]

Yes, Willie. And plays fantastic!

After a couple of hours figuring it out, (it ain't hard to play after you learn that it's tuned like a violin, E A D G...). I'm already playing The Battle of Evermore, and will probably pick up some Vivaldi and Manfredini classical stuff...

I used to play their transcriptions on the classical guitar and it will definitely be fun to play a duo with my old man on the guitar and me on the mandolin.

[ch willie]

I'll be expecting some sound clips eventually. Really would love to have one of those. Then again, I have a uke that I haven't yet mastered...

[FrankJohnson]

Ok - so if no one else is gonna say it....I will

Lets Get that Zep poster in a frame - ok?

[ch willie]

[S. Cane]

ROFL I will, I will

[Volumeknob]

Oh wow ----that is very COOOOOOOOOOL Congrats my Man.

Say I may have some legal questions later-----providing I don't get caught.

Cheers!

[S. Cane]

Thanks a lot, guys!

I'm having tons of fun with this little friend.

It's amazing how easy it was for me to play it (maybe due to the fact that I had played classical guitar and the violin before), and it has an awesome sound. When I give it some rythm picking (Page does in "The Battle of Evermore") it fills the room in a way you actually think there's many instruments at the same time. Doubled strings are like that, I guess.

And since it's been perfected by an accomplished mandolinist and luthier, it is really playable.

[S. Cane]

By the way, for the ones who never listened to Brazilian folk music, this is what it sounds like:

[Volumeknob]

Oh.....I like that. ;)
You HAVE to get one of those cool hats though!

[S. Cane]

I have one!