Quote (juliusjuice @ Mar 11 2013 01:24pm)

love to see new people getting into mandolin! ive played bluegrass/etc for about 12 years, actively in the live music scene. bluegrass is great because you can play anything with anyone without the need for amplification. ive got a collings MT (for me nothing out there compares to a collings -they are worth the money!). best advice for mandolin: develop at least semi-proper technique! your picking hand is very important. mandolin requires a different dexterity than guitar (metal heads eat your heart out). i played with poor right hand position for years and finally corrected it 5 years ago (took over a year to be 100% comfortable). if you get stressed, take a break! good luck!

as for inspiration there are a lot of good mando players out there. mumford and sons are great, their mando player doesnt really stand out to me. i suggest:
infamous stringdusters
chris thile
mike marshall
and my favorite, david "dawg" grisman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Aq4zNJL3g