Matthew's Journal

I have recently discovered the mandocello, which is a Thing Of Great Joy. The Wikipedia article has links to pictures and video samples. It would enable me to plausibly accompany myself whilst singing[1], which would be a plus; apparantly mandolin ensembles are quite keen on mandocello players too.

arnhem's colleague who knows about such things said "of course you can afford one". Looking around the internet, most of them are around the £2k mark (whether new or second-hand!), which is rather more than I can sensibly lay my hands on right now. A well-regarded Mandolin shop has a second-hand Suzuki in for £475. I emailed the owner, and he says it's the first one he's had in (they aren't usually sold in the UK), and it would do if I wanted to try one without spending lots of GBP, but doesn't sound as good as a £2k one. His shop's in Brighton (and sells some pricier ones, too!). I could hold off doing anything for the time being, but then he might sell that one, and there might not be another "cheap" one available. Also, I can't meaningfully get to Brighton for a few weeks... Help me decide, oh wise fiends-list...

ETA The £475/550 difference is my mis-typing in the poll.

[Poll #1014271]

[1]I can already plausibly play the 'cello, and lower instruments suit my vocal range better.