I am now the proud owner of a Deering Sierra (I couldn't resist - I knew if I didn't buy it now, it would still be an eventual idea that would materialize as a bucket list item - and I ain't gettin' any younger !)

I'm just going to rationalize it as 'part of the basement studio - so my musician visitors don't have to carry their instruments over'...but in fact, I rarely if ever have musician visitors, and they NEVER play the banjo or mandolin. I've been lucky to have a few drummer friends that occasionally visit.

Bob, my mandolin is an Eastman MD614 - another Craigslist present I purchase 1 or 2 years ago (years going so fast now !)

Usually, an newly purchase instrument gets me to play the PREVIOUSLY purchased unplayed instrument - so now that I purchased the banjo, will probably dive into the mandolin.

Actually, I'm looking for someone to barter teaching time with - I am an advanced student of flamenco guitar, somewhat of a computer techie, and can probably offer the right person a lot of beneficial guitar or tech instruction. Hoping to find someone looking to brush up their skills in one of these areas that is willing to barter my teaching time for theirs on the mandolin, banjo, or bass. I will make this a separate post - I think it warrants such.

Thanks again to all of you for your help and advice in this purchase decision I made.