Documenting Instrument Condition ???
A hopeful shout-out to the experienced professionals here ...
I recently volunteered to be the "curator" for the dozen or so instruments owned by the Bloomfield Mandolin Orchestra (that's in NJ). Most have been donated by friends or relatives of past (passed!) members, and are currently in several locations, some just being stored and some on loan. My short-term task is simply to document their location and condition in a central file, rather than in some of the older members' memories.
Which got me to thinking that documenting an instrument's condition, beyond just the basics of brand name, model, age, source, dimensions, serial #, condition/damage, etc., is something that you folks must do on a regular basis. AND, you probably check for features that I might not think of early on; I'd hate to have to go back bugging people about aspects that were missed the first time around. So...
Would any of you be willing to share a sample blank form that you've made for your own use? Or more importantly, suggest those features of such documentation that you've grown to need, and a that might not be apparent to a relative newbie like me. FWIW, I've done lots of messing with my own and friends' instruments, but that info is easy to hold in memory for some short period. Documenting for future reference or possible referral to a dealer, which I suspect is like documenting for a customer, is where I'm a bit lacking in short term confidence.
Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!
- Ed
"Then one day we weren't as young as before
Our mistakes weren't quite so easy to undo
But by all those roads, my friend, we've travelled down
I'm a better man for just the knowin' of you."
- Ian Tyson
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