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Thread: Gilchrist Model 5 - how long to get it to open up?

  1. #76

    Default Re: Gilchrist Model 5 - how long to get it to open up?

    X braced mandolins tend to sound more open on day one but will tend to open up less over time. Hide glue and varnish finish curing can take years to settle which might also make for a noticeable difference. Like a Baseball glove the wood grain has a certain stretch and elasticity that can be manipulated during a build but will tend to happen more with time and playing. It should be noted that a lot of Silverangels and Gilchrists are X braced. I think there would probably be more flex to a top with tone bars and probably more stability with X bracing, given similar arching, graduations and material. So I think the tone bar top will tend to open up more over time...Also the more I hear about these 'dud' Loars the more I think they might just need a little work or a new fret board to sound great.
    Last edited by OldGus; Sep-21-2015 at 10:25am.

  2. #77
    rock in rôle Paul Statman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist Model 5 - how long to get it to open up?

    I would put a ToneRite on it for a couple or three days, and leave it on at any time it is not being played.
    *This has worked for me on three mandolins and a guitar so far. Bon chance!

  3. #78
    Registered User ash89's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gilchrist Model 5 - how long to get it to open up?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandopixie View Post
    I would put a ToneRite on it for a couple or three days, and leave it on at any time it is not being played.
    *This has worked for me on three mandolins and a guitar so far. Bon chance!
    or at least leave it out of it's case and secured say to a wall hanger,
    to allow it to soak up as much sound as possible..
    string heavy classical (like cello) music always works well!
    Tony Hannock
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  4. #79

    Default Re: Gilchrist Model 5 - how long to get it to open up?

    Things I would check:

    Humidity at 50%. If it was stored in high humidity it may take a while to dry out with a dehumidifier.

    Tune it: A strobe tuner or iPhone Pano tuner is good. Snarks don't cut it for accuracy.

    New strings.

    Don't laugh: Fuzz under the tail piece if you have a pet.

    I recently got a Santa Cruz Tony Rice Pro guitar that I have been drying out at 47% humidity. After playing my D-28 the SC sounds dull at first, but after 90 minutes the SC makes the Martin sound like a dime store toy guitar.

    Most important thing is probably the humidity.

    Finally a setup by a knowledgeable person is important. I do mine every couple of years at the Gibson factory with Danny Roberts.

  5. #80
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    Default Re: Gilchrist Model 5 - how long to get it to open up?

    It took my Brentrup more than a year, way more, to open up the bottom. I worked hard on the G string to get it sounding like something and not quiet. It had not been played for some time before I got it. Seems like now the G is quite nice and the E has warmed up significantly. I would put GHS 270's on it and play it as much as you can every day. Wow to have to play a Gil every day.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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