Ummm-just to clarify my misquoting of Shakespeare and thus nailing a niggly detail for my own device...."THere are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." (Hamlet,I. V. 166) There, I feel better having done that. Whether it speaks to the pain experienced at losing a valued instrument, I hope it opens one to the possibilities which may exist. I can only empathize at this point with erinmaidin. I have had instruments stolen myself and can only trust that what goes around comes around. It is comforting to know that you have found a voice/connection with your mandolin. Faeth, and Hoep, Mike