View Full Version : Jim Watts......
Last I heard you sent that Bush back to Gibson for a varnish finish. Now it's for sale on the classifieds. You so thrilled with your F9 that your putting the Bush up for adoption? What's up, inquiring minds want to know? # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Dale, I figured I'd hear from you. You are exactly right. I'll tell you, I've really had a dilemma over what to do. On one hand, this Sam Bush is probably the best sounding mandolin I've ever owned, and the varnish would probably add that varnish character to the tone palette, then on the other hand, I've heard that messing with an instruments finish can ruin the instrument, and I know it would be a gamble. This is just to nice of a sounding mandolin to take a gamble on. I've also been trying to decide whether to just keep it or go for the Gibson Master Model. I guess I'm like almost everyone else, I'd love to have a varnished mandolin, but I'm not willing to risk the sound quality of this particular Sam Bush mandolin to get it. As I couldn't keep both, I decided to put the Sam Bush up for sale and if it sells, I'll get the Master Model, if it doesn't, no big deal, I'll just keep the Bush. So, that's the story.
As far as the F9, well, it's a dandy also, but Dale, you know, this isn't even in the same league. But the F9 is only a fraction of the cost of the Bush model as well, so they shouldn't be compared on an even playing field.
Jim
PS: Dale, I'm really just wanting to buy an Eastman Strings varnished mando. (I couldn't resist)
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Scotti Adams
Apr-22-2004, 6:05pm
...Jim..mandojeremy had his Bush varnished by the Gibson folk and I guess it turned out real well..
Scotti,
Yeah, I talked to mandojeremy on the phone a few weeks back and he played his for me. It sounded wonderful and he had no regrets about having it done. I guess the biggest factor is the cost involved and the gamble. It's probably better to just get an instrument that is varnished from the beginning. But if I was going to have it done, it would definately go back to Gibson for the makeover.
Jim
evanreilly
Apr-23-2004, 5:24am
Just out of curiousity, what was the cost to have the finish re-done at the factory???
I have that fairly new Fern that I keep wondering about having refinished.
Well, having bought a Phoenix off of Jim a year ago, that Sam Bush must be really good to have been preferred over the Phoenix, because I enjoy playing mine every day (except I can't do that now. It's exam time now, and the sound carries through the entire dorm, which tends to upset people when they're studying).
I know I'm straying off the topic, but I just thought I'd pop in and thank Jim for the mando, especially after a years worth of appreciation of it.
So thanks Jim http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Jaws, it's good to hear from you again. I see Phoenix Deluxe #283 is being fondled and caressed and I'm sure much to her delight. That is a great mandolin and the playability and tone was (and is I'm sure) superb. Your father sent me some sound clips of it a few months back and it was really a tone monster. Keep in touch, and take care of #283.
Evan, the price was about 2.3K.
Jim
Charlie Derrington
Apr-23-2004, 9:14am
Dale, you'd think "Yikes!", if you had to do it.
I can think of nothing more time-consuming than oil varnish and French polish. You know, we have to pay for that superior American labor.
Charlie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Charlie, I'm just thinking Jim is right. Sell the Bush & order a new mando in varnish. I'm sure you would prefer he did that as well.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Scotti Adams
Apr-23-2004, 10:02am
..and you would never get your money back on a varnished Bush when/if you ever went to sell it...