Too pretty to play?

[bjewell]

Okay, it's not a high-end mandolin at all, it's even one of those "Pac-Rim" jobbies. But my varnished Kentucky KM-1000 is soooo beautiful I don't want to play it. I take it out, strum a few licks, admire the sound and the instrument itself and then put away in favor of my humble LM-400.

Is this just me? The thought of strapping this beauty around the scroll gives me a headache... What would happen if it was a Stanley or a Red Diamond or -- heaven forbid -- a Nugget???

(NOTE: just three names of super quality mandolins off the top of my head although I really do want a Stanley mando at some point)

(insert smiley irony face)

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I am with you on that. I have actually said no to people who are nice enough to hand me their expensive high end mandolin to try, esp at festivals, in fear or damaging it. I can't even fathom owning a Gil or a Nugget.. I'd be constantly worried that it may get damaged, or stolen, or both.

Having said that: I'm sure after a while, I'll get over it and play it like it's my trusty Flatiron A5. But I won't know until I get there

[foldedpath]

Go ahead and play the snot out of it, because that will guarantee that you're the one putting the first ding in it. After that, it's all just "beauty marks" and it shows it's been played.

My one and only mandolin is a Lebeda F5, bought new. I was relieved after the first ding I put in it, because that meant it was mine and not a generic wall hanger. I felt the same way after sanding the finish off the neck. I'm careful who I let play it, but I like hearing what it sounds like across the room, because there is no way I'll ever hear it that way, otherwise.

Remember, the first cut is the deepest:

[sgarrity]

They are made to be played. I put three scratches in the top of my Gil and loved every one of 'em!

[Gplayer]

Musical instruments are tools first and works of art second, to me. I don't really care for too much bling, either. Play them and enjoy them.

[twilson]

Well, I, too, had a similar conversation with myself in 1982 when I bought my Nugget #70. But I decided I was going to play the durn thing. While I was in Michigan the summer before last, I took it by Mike Kemnitzer's place. He didn't flinch when he saw, I was watching. He took lots of pictures.

But here's the thing, you play a good mandolin hard (or guitar, you should see my D-28) and it just gets better and better. I truly wish I had gotten a pick guard put on it. But I didn't know at the time I'd be playing it as hard and as often as I did. When I express some remorse for the way it looks, my friends here say, no, no, no, you play it, that's why it sounds so good.

So although I look at my mando sometimes and wish it was cleaner, I do believe instruments ought to be played. And Monroe said, you've got to whup it like a mule.



One man's opinion,

Tim Wilson

[bjewell]

Wow Tim-san, you played your beautiful mandolin so much you wore the scroll off! ;- )

[DataNick]

Dude,

Play the darn thing!

Mr. Monroe played that Loar "like you whip a mule"...

[twilson]

LOL, bjewel, yup, wore the scroll off, didn't even use any power tools.

t

[OldSausage]

You should switch to banjo - play them all you like, they can't get any worse.

[Steve Sorensen]

The more you work it, the better it will be.

Just like people and wine, time makes the good ones great and the bad ones awful. But in either case, keeping it locked away is just a tragic waste.

Steve

[shortymack]

Ohhh the maaaaaandolin?...I thought you were wondering if I was too pretty to play.


No to both.

[William Smith]

They are made to be played. I put three scratches in the top of my Gil and loved every one of 'em!

Well said, They are made to be played plus in time the instrument WILL sound better!

[bjewell]

I've owned 100s of guitars over the years and only had a few "too pretty to play." one was a '41 D-18 from RC Snoddy another was a dead mint '63 D-28. Then there was a sano '52 Esquire... the list goes on. My '54 Tele with a stringbender Gene put in was totally thrashed and I played it in the honky-tonks for years.

But the KM-1000V? Come 'ere me pretty 'n let me have a gaze at yee... -L-

[fatt-dad]

If you really love an instrument. You'll take care of it.
If you really love an instrument. You'll play it.
If you really love an instrument. You'll keep it.
If you're keeping it, who cares?

f-d

[Bertram Henze]

Your mandolin may be beautiful to look at, but that's nothing compared to the beauty of sound it may yield - shame to waste that

[TheBlindBard]

I'd say play it. A few scratches here or there aren't that bad, it's if the banging it into things or something can cause actual damage (more structural) that I personally would be worried. Worst comes to worst, install a pick-guard if you're worried about playing your finish off. But play her, that beaut is meant to sing and dance with joy in your hands.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Foldedpath nailed it !. Yes,Mandolins,both F & A styles are indeed beautiful,but they're made to be played,& if they're going to sound any good,they need playing a LOT !. All my instruments are in pristine condition,but they do get played,i just take care of them.
And Old Sausage - a number of banjo players will be visiting you during the hours of darkness to play outside your bedroom window.
Be afraid,be very,very afraid !!,
Ivan

[Nick Gellie]

Okay, it's not a high-end mandolin at all, it's even one of those "Pac-Rim" jobbies. But my varnished Kentucky KM-1000 is soooo beautiful I don't want to play it. I take it out, strum a few licks, admire the sound and the instrument itself and then put away in favor of my humble LM-400.

Is this just me? The thought of strapping this beauty around the scroll gives me a headache... What would happen if it was a Stanley or a Red Diamond or -- heaven forbid -- a Nugget???

(NOTE: just three names of super quality mandolins off the top of my head although I really do want a Stanley mando at some point)

(insert smiley irony face)

Mandolins were meant to be played as well as looked at. You will get past this phase.

[pheffernan]

And she is all of solid fire
And gems and gold, that none his hand
Dares stretch to touch her baby form,
Or wrap her in his swaddling-band.

But she comes to the man she loves,
If young or old, or rich or poor;
They soon drive out the Agèd Host,
A beggar at another’s door.

[Beanzy]

"Too pretty to play" ?

Solution;

[AlanN]

Mash it, son, Mash it.

[Randi Gormley]

It's always nice to have an appreciation for nice things. My mother had a set of china she inherited from her mother that never saw the light of day. It was "too good" to use.
I, on the other hand, have not a sentimental bone in my body, and have no problem getting out the "good" china just for fun. It was made to be eaten from.
I don't own any high-end mandolins, but I wasn't all too pleased to put that first scratch in my Eastman (the only instrument, barring one of my bandolims, that I bought new). That being said, my own body doesn't look as good as it used to. If I can face what 60 years have done to my once-youthful face and body, I can live with a scratch on my mandolin. You just need to broaden your viewpoint.

[The dman]

Have someone make a painting of the mandolin hang it on the wall and play the damned thing

[Bertram Henze]

Have someone make a painting of the mandolin hang it on the wall and play the damned thing

Even better: hide the painting in the attic - any dings and scratches will become visible on the painting, and your instrument will stay forever young