Sorry, this one above, listed as "Guest" was me on another machine, not logged in properly:

Hi! I'm new to Mudcat, too, though fairly mature in chronological age.

I've been playing the guitar for about 18 months. I still tend to let nerves get the better of me on the very few occasions I've played with an audience. I'm not even on the rough side of OK yet!

I can knock out a few recognisable tunes on the whistle, and I've just ordered an octave mandolin that I was hoping to get in July but which I've been told repeatedly by sources other than the maker that Christmas is more likely :-(

Things with black and white keys or buttons flummox me.

My guitars are:

- a "cheap" Martin DCX1, ie, Mexican made with HPL back and sides and spruce top, but it sounds great and is easy to play. I must have tried out 30 guitars when I bought it, and it suited me better than even some instruments costing almost twice as much. Had it about 8 months.

- An Epiphone Les Paul "Black Beauty" bought second-hand off Ebay 18 months ago. Really nice to play and a bargain too.