My mandolin is WAY better than yours!

[johnsoba]

After reading posts here for about a decade, I think that "My mandolin is WAY better than yours" is the most common subtext. (And, yes, my mandolin is WAY better than yours.)

!!

[JeffD]

Mine is way better than me.

[DataNick]

Sounds like a conversation John Wooden (UCLA Head Basketball Coach) had with Digger Phelps (Notre Dame Head Basketball Coach) years ago in 1971 before their game: Wooden "Have you seen my Bibby (Henry Bibby)?...Phelps "Have you seen my Carr (Austin Carr)?...Bibby was a real good college player but I think Austin Carr dropped 60 or more on the Bruins that day...

[johnsoba]

!!

[John Flynn]

After reading posts here for about a decade, I think that "My mandolin is WAY better than yours" is the most common subtext. (And, yes, my mandolin is WAY better than yours.)

!!

I think this is especially true of people who list all their instruments in their signature line. Then that subtext is in every post no matter what the topic!

[foldedpath]

Oh YEAH... well, my mandolin gets more Web traffic and Google hits than your mandolin.

[roysboy]

I'm pretty sure everyone here has a mandolin better than mine- a km 150- and yet I couldn't be happier . So ........

[kevbuch]

My mandolin could beat up your mandolin!

[Beanzy]

Inexpensive as they were mine are the best, because they're right here so I can pick them up any time and play and become a better player because they're here.
I've never been able to get a good tone out of any mandolin I couldn't lay my hands on.

[Ron McMillan]

I think this is especially true of people who list all their instruments in their signature line. Then that subtext is in every post no matter what the topic!

Years ago a kind moderator relieved me of the agony of having my eye drawn to endlessly inane signatures (I can't not read them - I wish I could!). I've had them switched off ever since, and forum life is just great without them.

[David Smith]

My mandolin is an honor student at Bean Blossom Middle School!

[AlanN]

My Stella is WAY beater than your Harmony!!

I remember in the very early days of this site, a thread was born to list one's instruments. I think I did, that one time. We were all so new back then, it was a way to break the ice. Kind of like when you move into a new neighborhood and want to get to know the neighbors.

[Bill Baldridge]

My mandolin's daddy is bigger than you mandolin's daddy and my mandolin's mama is prettier than you mandolin's mama.

[Dale Ludewig]

Listing your instruments in your signature line is a great way to tell thieves what you've got sitting around.

[OldSausage]

Listing your instruments in your signature line is a great way to tell thieves what you've got sitting around.

Is that really gonna happen, though? Hell of a way to make a living for someone smart enough to do that research.

[Denny Gies]

Well, my dad can beat up your dad...........or something like that. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

[Steve Zawacki]

Listing your instruments in your signature line is a great way to tell thieves what you've got sitting around.

Not a problem in this locale (burglars here do so at own risk), and if mine inspire someone to burgle, then they really are desperate.

Listing the instruments has resulted in a few off-forum discussions about them regarding experiences and questions which are enjoyable. It has also gotten me to PM others regarding a particular instrument, and each response has been personable and informative.

I've asked my mandolins if they think they are better than other mandolins. They just don't seem to care.....

[JEStanek]

I'm of two minds on this. The signature list lends credence to someone speaking about a specific kind of mandolin if the person owns one. I guess, I don't read the my mandolin is better than yours that may be implicit in many threads from a few posters. I think most all of us are enthusiastic about the mandolin we've invested our money in and share the joy and pride of ownership of something that cost a lot.

My mandolins bring me pride and joy and I really enjoy hearing them in other (often much better) hands. I've been outplayed by people with more modest instruments.

Personally, I think if your're obsessing on having an instrument better than anyone else's, you're doing it wrong.

Jamie

[Iron]

My mandolin is uglier than yours

[Ron McMillan]

I own three very different mandolins, and each of them could play just as well as Chris Thile - so long as Chris was kind enough to drop by to make it happen.

[sgrexa]

Ever since I got the best mandolin in the world, the reality of having to finally learn to play it properly has presented some very real challenges. Another sad reality is that 99.9% of people surveyed claim to not hear a difference or more often than not, simply do not care.

Sean

[Jim Garber]

My best mandolin is better than most of my others. However, I have many types of mandolins and among each group is one that I think is the best. I don't compete with other player's mandolins as far as best. In fact "best" is only as good as what music I am playing, what mood I am in, the relative humidity in my house and my current state of mind.

These are musical instruments, not (necessarily) status objects. In fact, for the most part and due to the nature of these forums, "best" is usually best looking or best photographed. I can't play most -- I just can look.

[Wolfmanbob]

Personality comes out in all different ways. People are proud of their instrunments just like their kids. And often blind to their defects. But it doesn't stop them from showing pictures.

[Ken Olmstead]

The best mandolin is the one I have in my hands at the time, if it happens to be yours, then yes, yours is best!!

[Canoedad]

Is that really gonna happen, though? Hell of a way to make a living for someone smart enough to do that research.

If you use your real name and your location, it doesn't take much smarts.