Poorly maintained instruments...?

[steve V. johnson]

Do you know folks who are otherwise good players but who don't take any but the most minimal care of their instruments and let them collect dings, scratches, other various wounds and dirt without noticing at all?

How does this affect you? #Have you spoken with them about it? #How does it affect the music you can play with them? #Or how does it affect the music they play or how they play?


There's a fellow I've played with, and I enjoy his songs and style. #But his instruments are always filthy and because he isn't careful with them, they get beaten up.

They still work, somehow, and miraculously they stay in tune well, so we
-can- play together, but they never sound as good as they are ... they are (or were... <GG>) very good instruments once, and probably continue to survive only because they were well-built to begin with.

I always wanted to say something to him, but never really figured out what or how nor found the right moment until he recently came to the studio to record. #The mics picked up all the poor adjustments and loose tuning ferrules and the cracked brace (rattles, buzzes, clanks) and he was very surprised to hear how they sounded. #Several times the other players suggested that he needs to have his instruments repaired, AND cleaned, and he would admit that they needed it. #But only putting another, healthy and well cared for instrument into his hands got his real playing recorded without sounding like an industrial accident. #Those of us who 'knew' his playing were amazed at how good it was and at all the new details in his playing that we hadn't ever heard before.

Amazing...

So... how about y'all?

Thanks,

stv

[Celtic Saguaro]

I remember, years ago, a double bass player in a major sympony orchestra who always brought a wreck of a bass to pops concerts. #It rattled like an earthquake at a lumber yard. #I don't know why the conductor (and the rest of the bass section for that matter) didn't insist the thing be fixed.

[mingusb1]

I care a lot less about how clean an instrument is compared to if it is set up right to play and perform. I've played with a guy that is an accomplished player but has needed a refret, new saddle, and set-up on his guitar for as long as I've known him. So he gets buzzing and broken strings routinely.

Reminds me of the folks that drive their cars out of oil and then need to replace the motor.

[Rick Crenshaw]

Banged up instruments and poorly performing instruments are two different things. #I like mojo. #Don't like poorly set up or broken instruments.

I have more of an issue with anal retentive types who worry constantly about scratches, than I do with people who just play and enjoy the music. #I rarely, if ever, ask to play anyone else's instruments due to the fact that some people are so worried over nicks, dings, and pick marks. #I won't be a party to torturing those who obsess over their instruments appearance. #Let them enjoy their instruments looks, but don't ask me to play your baby. #Give me Thile's Dude with the broken headstock and worn f-holes, or give me Charles Sawtelle's old D-28 with its hundreds of repaired top cracks any day over an inferior sounding piece of eye candy ANY DAY.

[sunburst]

What people do with their own instruments is none of my business, until they bring them to me for set up and repair. Far be it from me to lecture friends or pickin' buddies on how I think they should care for their instruments.
Things get a little different when it comes to performance, and especially recording. I'm currently talking to a local recording studio about building them a guitar for the studio. They want to have a good one on hand to use when someone comes in with one that booms, buzzes, rattles, or whatever, too much to make a quality recording.
In a professional situation, or even a more amature band type situation, where the sound of someone else's instrument has an effect on your collective sound, there might be room to suggest better care be taken of someones instrument, but telling a friend or casual aquaintance how you think they should behave is about the same as telling someone how to raise their children, or how to comb their hair.
There are plenty of 'evangelical' types who do that sort of thing, but they should have learned better social skills, IMO.

[swinginmandolins]

I agree that once you drop the $$ for an instrument it is your to do what you want to with. Not everyone is a collector, or worried about how much it will be worth later. Sometimes maintenance could be neglected just from the lack of funds. Cleaning again is a personal preference. Some people buy a factory distressed instrument others, distress it themselves(aparently they can distress those around them too). I myself don't have the $$ to buy a new instrument regularly so I respect what I have. I also respect the instrument enough to take care of it, but there are times when playing outweighs maintenace, just due to lack of funds to do so. I guess everybody gets there a different way.

[gnelson651]

There is nothing #I hate more then someone who doesn't cut their strings at the peghead. Especially if they wind them in a little circle and it looks like cr*p. Its simply poor housekeeping.

While I am mindful of keeping my instrument clean and #wipe down my strings after every use, I don't worry about small scratches, nicks or dings anymore. To me they come with the territory if you want to play your box. I don't have an expensive mandolin or a collectible to worry about. Its a consummable item, one to be use for pure pleasure and enjoyment. That is what Monroe's Loar looked like to me, he played it for what it was, an instrument to express himself.

[JGWoods]

There is nothing #I hate more then someone who doesn't cut their strings at the peghead. Especially if they wind them in a little circle and it looks like cr*p. Its simply poor housekeeping.
I think the string coiling habit comes from the world of gut strings. I coil them up on my gut string banjo and when one breaks I can often get enough length out of the coil to reuse the string.
Makes little sense on steel strings though unless you are into winding your own loop ends.

[TonyP]

The prob. for me, and it looks like for others, it's not just black and white. Seems like folks think it's compulsive to clean and wax your instrument. I've always done it every string change, just part of maintenance. Thing is, I don't have corrosive body chemistry. Don't know if it was the years of my hands being in solvent when I was an VW engine mech, or what. But there are those that can play my mando once and my strings feel like they have been dipped in acid. My observance is those are the ones that never clean their instruments. They seem oblivious. If I pick up their axe, it seems coated in goo, and I hate that feeling. Definitely, to each his own, but they are often the ones that complain to me that the Tone-Gard has left a mark. And when I ask if they have ever cleaned and waxed their instrument, I get silence. That goo is corrosive and binds with anything that comes into contact with it. It's easier to maintain than restore. I've always taken care of my tools, because they take care of me. And an instrument to me, like everything else, is just on loan as I can't take it with me. So why not make sure I leave it like I got it? But don't mistake this with those phobic about nick's ding's and just plain 'ol wear. Then there is this want to have a varnished instrument and have it stay perfect. I always thought that was like buying an original Porshe Spyder with it's soft aluminum body and expecting to drive it through the valley here and not expect the bugs to leave dents. Balance is in the eye of the beholder I guess.

[jasona]

How do you clean your instruments Tony--naptha?

[fredfrank]

I was jamming with some folks at a festival once when there was guitar player who was flailing his intrument around, acting a bit wacky. At one point, he banged the guitar into a table edge, or something and put a hole in the side of his guitar. He laughed it off, and almost in the same breath asked if he could try out my new (at that time) varnished Fern.

Uhhh . . .no.

[JEStanek]

This guy really let his mando go. Yech!
http://www.cbaontheweb.org/uploads/news_1128200523632PM.jpg

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Artists, players, etc. can be strange folks. I wouldn't complain if a guy's instrument looked like the above, I just may not let him play mine too much... At my skill level, I'm so happy to be able just to sit in and pick with people that looks aren't that important.

Jamie

[Steve Davis]

Willie's guitar:

[mythicfish]

I like an instrument that plays easilly, sounds good and stays in one piece.
Once in a while I'll wipe it down with a soft cloth. Anything else is a needless distraction from the music.
Y'all remember music ... right?

Curt

[jmcgann]

YMMV: I play better on a well set up instrument with frets in good repair, new(er) strings, proper neck angle, string height, and a nice polish on the fingerboard and neck. Mung, sticky #### on the neck, dirty strings are all contributors to less than optimal tone and feel.

I also like to keep my instruments in good shape as much as I can; almost every one I play was made for me specifically: #got them new and I try to keep them in as good a shape as possible. Mutual respect- they treat me pretty well.


Y'all remember music ... right?


That's what I'm talkin' about! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif I don't sit around looking at them!

[lightnbrassy]

I have a satin-finished mando now and do not feel compelled to wipe it down after every sitting. I had a glossy mando in the past and worked hard to wipe every fingerprint off the instrument. After awhile I learned that wiping down the mando so much actually wears the instrument's finish worse. I admit I am OCD in some ways, and this is/was one of them. I even wiped each tuner at the end of a sitting. I put a few dings and scratches on my (comparatively) naked soundboard, but because I know they were mine, it doesn't bother me so much. Don't even notice them until I put a little Orange Glow on a rag and wipe the instrument down every so often. Those glossy, polished instruments do drive people like me crazy. Nonetheless, I think a lot of PLUCKED string instrument players, whether they are good or terrible, do not like other people digging into their soundboard with sloppy and/or aggressive picking.

[Patrick Sylvest]

I've been known to take a little mild soapy water and a soft cloth, followed by a flannel buff to an instrument or two for a friend who just didn't care. I usually ask, "would you mind if I?" Then they see how nice their, Martin, or Gibson, or whatever can look and think, Wow!

Along those lines; You should see my '91 Martin Shenandoah D1932......Just had it professionally set up and it's so sweet. It's in absolutely pristine condition but for a small amount of wear here and there.

[big h]

As my teacher says:The more you use it and ware it, the better it sound

By the way do any of yo know a clasicle guitareist named Chuck Hicks?

[Jim Garber]

I bought many of my vintage instruments based on how they sounde, regardless of how they looked. My two best Gibson guitars (1950s) as well as most of my better mandolins are seriously scratched up but I can find few new instruments with the sound or playability. I also am not afraid to play them for the utmost sound, etc.

OTOH I do have them looked at and adjusted by my luthier for optimum music production.

Jim

[jackofall]

Bill Monroe...
Sam Bush...
Rory Gallagher...

Things ain't always what they seem. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Bobbie Dier]

I thought I took pretty good care of my mandolin until a friend played the heck out of it one day. When I got it home there were HUGE dust balls on the inside. I thought it was clean and didn't think about how the dust might accumulate on the inside. When I'm not playing it it's in the case, so I don't know how all that dust got in there. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Patrick Sylvest]

For dust accumulation, I use that compressed gas in a can to blow it out. This is especially important on Dobro's that rely on the cone for tone. Phil Leadbetter taught me this trick. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Patrick Sylvest]

Incidentally, beat up is great! Nothing wrong at all with using an instrument an' flat wearing it out.

Not maintaining an instrument is another matter entirely.

[Jerry Byers]

I've been known to take a little mild soapy water and a soft cloth, followed by a flannel buff to an instrument or two for a friend who just didn't care. I usually ask, "would you mind if I?" Then they see how nice their, Martin, or Gibson, or whatever can look and think, Wow!
That's kind of like asking somebody if you could clean their coffee mug for them. Just like people treat a coffee-stained mug as a trophy, I think some instruments are revered the same way.

[kww]

JerryThat's kind of like asking somebody if you could clean their coffee mug for them. Just like people treat a coffee-stained mug as a trophy, I think some instruments are revered the same way.


At least he asks. I got to work one morning, and spotted my shiny, clean coffee cup. Got a little annoyed at whoever cleaned it. Got very annoyed when I found out that the only thing that had been filling up the cracks was coffee residue, and my shiny clean cup couldn't hold coffee anymore.

[rhetoric]

Maybe it reflects my musical tastes, but I'd rather hear music on old worn out instruments than on some glossy new thing. And a glossy new thing that is artificially weathered/distressed is even worse. I try to take care of my instruments (so I barked at my boy when he let the case lid fall and put a major league ding in the top of my Guild), but secretly I was glad because it's looking more authentically vintage. I'd rather play with my old worn baseball glove than a new one. I'd rather shoot my Grandpas .22 with it's butter smooth action. I'd rather compute on my 386 --- er, I guess it's not a universal law.

If you love an instrument you'll wear it out. If you love art you'll hang it on the wall. My instruments are tools, not art.

[allenhopkins]

IMHO, instruments are tools for making music. As such, they're subject to a certain amount of wear and tear. You don't see many successful mechanics with shop-shiny tools in a mint toolbox.
That being said, there's a difference between use and abuse. I clean and polish my instruments at every string change, and try to get normal routine maintenance (fret dressing, set-up tweaking) done with the same regularity I'd take my car in for oil changes. I expect a certain number of dings and scratches to occur as I take 'em out for gigs, but I do get any accidental damage repaired ASAP.
With regard to "patina" -- or "mojo" or "character" or whatever you want to call it: makes little difference to me what an instrument's cosmetics are, as long as it plays well and sounds good. My main Dobro (actually a '30's Regal) has a quarter of the chrome worn off the resonator cover, and the top finish is worn through from a prior owner -- evidently an enthusiastic flat-picker (it's a round-neck that I've fitted with a raised nut). But it sounds fine, and the missing finish does nothing to impair its playability. I don't look upon the damage as some kind of virtue, but it's not something I care to spend the bucks restoring.
When maintenance neglect begins to affect an instrument's sound or playability, that's serious to me. When it's just a question of esthetics, it's everyone for him or herself. There's not a single instrument I own, that I haven't added to its wear and tear. But then I don't keep them in glass cases for viewing only.

[TonyP]

Jasona, I'm not sure what naptha is. I just use a little windex on a soft cloth to clean the instrument(probably a lot of cringing out there, but my Newson is lacquer) and some stuff I got over 20yrs ago called "fiddlebrite". I think it's just lemon oil. Both very, very sparingly. I'm totally with Allen, I use my mando's and love 'em just like my other tools. Dings, dents, imperfections and all. Don't leave 'em in a hot or freezing car. Frets and a good set up from one of the best luthiers on the planet when it needs it. To me this is common sense, not rocket science.

[mandosis]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance......

[jim simpson]

"Jasona, I'm not sure what naptha is"

North American Phree Trade Hagreement

Actually it's:
naph·tha
Any of several highly volatile, flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons distilled from petroleum, coal tar, or natural gas and used as solvents and in making various chemicals.

[jasona]

"Jasona, I'm not sure what naptha is"

North American Phree Trade Hagreement

Actually it's:
naph·tha
Any of several highly volatile, flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons distilled from petroleum, coal tar, or natural gas and used as solvents and in making various chemicals.
...or "lighter fluid" for short. When I got my mando set up by Larry Brown, I wanted him to remove the finish on the neck, but he convinced me to keep it because of the pretty flamed maple by rubbing with with some 0000 steel wool followed by naptha. He swears by it for lacquer, and it took the gunk of nicely.

[mrbook]

I wouldn't like anyone telling me how to take care of my instruments. I keep them set up the way I like, but would rather play than spend time polishing them. I don't beat on them, but if you are out playing you are likely to get a nick or two now and then.

I've played with guys who wore the finish off their necks rather than removing it, and they were good. I ran a coffeehouse in college years ago, and one performer who came on a recommendation showed up with the dirtiest Martin guitar I've ever seen. When he came back to my room, he saw my guitar polish and asked to use it - my polishing cloth came away so black I had to throw it away. An incredible player who didn't need anyone's advice, though (and probably wouldn't take it).

[Bobbie Dier]

Cayene,
Thanks for the tip. I'll need to get a can of that stuff.

[blacksmith]

I agree that an instrument should be treated with the utmost respect, so many things have to come together perfectly during the construction to make it a joy to play. Any mark or ding on any of my instruments feels as though I were sustaining a physical injury.
There's a TV commercial for a chewing gum, I don't know if it's played in the U.S. or not, where a guitar is smashed to bits when some guy starts to play it. The first time I saw it I was so shocked, that an instrument would be treated so callously, with absolutely no respect. I'm sure they used a cheapy but it's still like fingernails on a chalkboard whenever I see it. Look after your instrument, it'll look after you.

[Mark Walker]

I tend to - like many others - also think of my instruments as 'tools' and thus they're subject to occasional dents and dings. #Like many other Cafe' members, I polish and wipe it down during string changes, and occasionally do so after - for example - a jam or gig in hot weather where sweat and so on may have gotten on the instrument. #
I had a chance to buy my newest Silver Angel (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=28422;hl=silver+angel+ 231) with the distressed look; I figure I'll do that myself over time. #While it's got a gorgeous painting of an angel on the back and a varnish finish and could be considered 'eye candy,' it gets played a LOT by my myself and others and still looks pretty great. #
I know a guy who owns a music store, and he yaks the prices of 'spotless and ding-free' instruments up significant amounts. #I think a well set-up and great sounding instrument - regardless of a few 'distress marks' - should command a better price than some flawless-looking and average sounding instrument! #
(MHO, YMMV.) #

[kww]

blacksmith
There's a TV commercial for a chewing gum, I don't know if it's played in the U.S. or not, where a guitar is smashed to bits when some guy starts to play it.

One of my favorite John Hiatt songs is "Perfectly Good Guitar", which bemoans the success of people that smash instruments:

"I don't know who
They think they are
smashing a perfectly good guitar
There ought to be a law
with no bail
smash a guitar and you go to jail
with no chance
of early parole
you can't get out
until you get a soul"

[Lee]

"Collect" dings & scratches?
Nah, dings and scratches are earned.

[fatt-dad]

What comes to my mind is whether the instrument is an extension of the player or whether the music is the extension of the player. For the former, maybe it all does need to remain perfect (or at least with perfectly placed character marks). For the latter, I figure they're too busy playing. That said, I expect there's a convergence where you find your favorite instrument and the marks tell a story. I think that's cool.

f-d

[blacksmith]

Thanks, kww, right on! (an expression from the old days)

[jmcgann]

A Little Poll:

How many of you who advocate dings, scratches, and I-don't-care-just-play-'em-they-are-tools spent more than $3500 for your instrument? Or should I say the equivalent of more than a month- 6 weeks and up pay?

[gnelson651]

A Little Poll:

How many of you who advocate dings, scratches, and I-don't-care-just-play-'em-they-are-tools spent more than $3500 for your instrument? Or should I say the equivalent of more than a month- 6 weeks and up pay?
Ok, in my post here, I admitted I didn't have an expensive mandolin. To be exact, I have an Eastman 805 which cost me $850 new.

I would never be able to afford a $3500 mandolin in this lifetime and stay married. If I did own such an expensive mandolin, I would be as careful as possible with it simply because of its value.

But the original question said nothing about the mistreatment of a $3500 mandolin or up. So I'm not sure why the poll John? I think it should be obvious that most owners of the such an expensive instrument would be very careful unless they had money to burn and the $3500 mandolin was a "beater."

[blacksmith]

Didja ever notice that the more careful you are with it, the easier it attracts dings? Why is that?

[mandomadman]

I agree that my instruments are tools. Yes I take care of them but I use them and if I get a ding or a scratch I doesn't cause my gut to bleed. I'm not ignorant to rattles and buzzes so I fix that stuff right away. I clean and adjust as needed at string changes and spend my time worrying about my playing and not the smudges. I try to keep them out of harms way and the hands of others who may of had to much to drink or don't come off very respectful towards other peoples stuff. If someone puts a big dent on the back of the neck of one of my instruments I will get mighty pissed, as thats the one place I can't stand dents to be. I have a friend that is so anal about cleaning instruments it drives me crazy. He allways wants to clean the spit and smudges of my mando and it drives me nuts. If he spent as much time playing his instruments as he does cleaning them he'd be a decent player by now. To each his own I suppose. My cat Jasper (god rest his soul)would bite the headstocks on all my instruments just once. I now look at those little tooth marks and just smile.

[Rick Crenshaw]

A Little Poll:

How many of you who advocate dings, scratches, and I-don't-care-just-play-'em-they-are-tools spent more than $3500 for your instrument? Or should I say the equivalent of more than a month- 6 weeks and up pay?
Me! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

And it's not so much that I ADVOCATE dings and scratches... it's just that people who OBSESS over their instrument's appearance irk me a bit. I know people who own perfectly fine instruments that they do not play because they always play their 'beater' for fear of dinging their brazilian guitar. Or the guy who buys a mandolin because it LOOKS fantastic over the guy who wears blinders when he buys.

I say this with a bit of hypocrisy because I'm getting ready to drop about 6K on a fancy new mando by Sim Daley. I'm buying it for the TONE, but I'm paying an extra $2000 for the binding and finish upgrades.

But the difference is this: When I meet you in a jam and you want to play my mandolin, I'll hand it to you without reservation and with joy in my heart to share the mandolin. I've seen guys cringe as they let their best friend play the instrument that they obsess over. Most of these types don't jam with their favorite because they fear having to turn down their friends request OR they go through a crisis as they pass it over.

Look, if I played your mandolin, I'd take all the care in the world and you'd never know afterwards that it hadn't been in your care all the time. But unless I know you well, I won't even ASK to play your mandolin. I know how some folks are and why put them through the pain?

[Red Englemann]

I'm buying it for the TONE

Yeah, right! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

red

[Mattg]

Naptha, soapy water, and Windex are the enemies of wood, wood glues and/or finishes. The only way to use water safely is on a slightly damp rag. Get’s drool off just fine.

If you really need to, the best and safest way to clean the body of an instrument is to use a polish specifically formulated for the finish used on the instrument. Perhaps a dab of light, silicon free lemon oil on a rag to wipe down fretboards and bare or lightly finished necks. It cleans gunk nicely and makes my fret hand slide better. For really tough cases, ultra fine McGuires plastic polish will buff out a lacquer nicely. A non-silicon furniture wax also buffs and cleans lacquer to a shine. #

But who cares, right? I’ll bet Willy could sell his guitar for a million bucks. Sure, I'll sometimes quickly clean up an instrument at restringing, I also make any other set-up adjustments as necessary. The best part is getting her all back togather and losing an hour or two jamming away.

Time to go polish up a song!

[Jonathan Peck]

String changes - whenever the mood strikes, but it doesn't strike that often. I do clip string ends though, no looping.

Cleaning - whenever I change strings I try and blow off the pieces of dead skin with my breath. I'll also try and wipe off acumulated dust between strings with my thumb. In the summer, if I sweat on my instrument, I always wipe it off with my shirt.

Dings and scrathes - I always try and take care. When I take a break at a jam, it goes in the case. When I'm not playing, it goes back in the case - Calton case that is. I'll let anyone play my mandolin unless their drunk or are a total knucklehead.

Maintenance - Regular. Most times it's a twenty dollar tweaking.

[allenhopkins]

Regarding those of us who spend significant bux on instruments, and yet tolerate wear and tear (not that we "advocate" it, but we expect it):

My primary guitar now is a 00-42 Martin conversion, a 1940 00-28G classical with a 00-42 top and neck fitted in the '80's. Winter before last, after I'd just bought it for around $3K (less an HD-28 trade-in), I had a gig at a veterans' hospital in the afternoon, followed by an evening of caroling at the restoration where I work. The 00-42 stayed in the mini-van during the coldest night of the year (-14º, I think). When I opened the case the next morning, I had "distressed" it with significant lacquer checking.

Consoled myself that now it looks authentically 1940. But again -- an expensive instrument, but one to be used, resulting in wear and tear. My early '50's F-5 has lacquer checking caused by shlepping it to winter-time bar gigs back in the '70's. Not that I'm pleased about it, nor "advocating" it, but that's what happens.

[Chip Booth]

A Little Poll:

How many of you who advocate dings, scratches, and I-don't-care-just-play-'em-they-are-tools spent more than $3500 for your instrument?
I have spent that on at least three instruments I now own, 2 mandos and a guitar. Two were bought in various states of decomposition. The third was mint to start but it ain't anymore. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I don't advocate beating up instruments, but wear and tear happens, and I don't worry about it much, at least not when I'm the one who is the abuser.

Chip

[mandolooter]

The first ding cuts the deepest, isn't that the saying, after that its all the downhill slide.

Picking on a strangers perfect new 6 grand instrument at a festival isn't even fun for me cuz i can never get comfortable it seems...even tho I never seem to ding mine while im actually pickin it...those usually happen going or coming from the case or while its strapped on and Im doing something stupid and not paying attention. Its a tool to make music and like a worn in pair of jeans, the nicks, bumps and all neither help nor hurt the sound. My 75 year old Bacon tenor guitar is all beat to hell with repaired cracks both front and back but it sings to me when I play it, same with my 1906 Gibson A which is listed in the Archives as "needing a bath" lol, which BTW its never gotten since I like it just how it is. After I refretted it I did clean up the back side but the front is still wearing 100 years of dirt n grime. Its got mojo leaking out of it...and I can feel it! Look at the tailpiece, its black.

[jmcgann]

So I'm not sure why the poll John? I think it should be obvious that most owners of the such an expensive instrument would be very careful unless they had money to burn and the $3500 mandolin was a "beater."

The poll because folks probably aren't saying it's great to own a beat up instrument if they paid dearly for the thing. I used to love driving around a beat looking 16 year old car, what the heck, it cost me $300. My attitude changed once I paid $2500 for one!

Anyone with a Loar banging it around 'cuz it's 'just a tool'?

[250sc]

Everyone will take care of their instruments as they see fit and in a way that suites their personality.

I've seen people on this forum very upset with the first ding or chip of their treasured instrument (no sarcasim intended) and asking where they can have it fixed. That works for them. Even a slob like me doesn't like damage to my instruments. Others, who probably include Bill Monroe and Willie Nelson, are fine with letting things slide as long as it doesn't hold them back from expressing themselves.

What ever works for you.

sliabhstv,

Do you think your friend is considering a change after hearing his instrument sound bad?

[pager]

I've got a "new" Martin OM28V that is about a year old now. Fantastic guitar, so I play the bageebers out of it. It now has 4 or 5 dings in the top, a couple on the headstock, and a few small scratches on the neck. I think the street price on it was around $2,900.00 or so with tax. The dings are there because I love it so much. It is going to happen when you play. That seems to be one of the laws of the Ding Gods. IF you love playing it, it is going to get dinged. What is more tragic? An expensive instrument that is well loved, shared with others and has a few dings - or a pristine, ignored one that stays in the case all the time?

[mandolooter]

What is more tragic? An expensive instrument that is well loved, shared with others and has a few dings - or a pristine, ignored one that stays in the case all the time?

Well put and true! Dung happens...dings happen...no one wants them I'd say but its like crying over spilt milk! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[jmcgann]

How about folks who don't take care?

Dings happen a heck of a lot more to people who don't take care!

Sure it happens- my teeth will eventually fall out too, but I keep brushin' 'em anyway... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I'm careful as I happen to own an irreplaceable mando, a Zeidler. The builder, John Zeidler, died in 2002. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[steve V. johnson]

The post a ways back about successful mechanics with pristine tools and shiny tool boxes has reminded me of one of the primary influences on me and the ways I care for my instruments. # I had the good fortune to know some premier racing mechanics in open-wheel racing, and their stuff was, while not quite pristine, always clean and in good repair. #If a ding or a dent or a burr on the tool kept it from coming to hand quickly and smoothly, and especially from doing its job with precision, it was replaced. # Of course, the top classes of racing keep their shops absolutely spotless because dirt means loss of performance, or worse, outright mechanical failure.

My instruments have a number of small dings, but each time I pick 'em up and put 'em down I run a cloth over 'em. #Each time I change strings I clean them thoroughly. #Any adjustments or repairs need, for me, to be done right away. # I don't much care to pick 'em up while I'm cleaning fish, potting plants or eating barbecue without washing up a bit first. So I've had to figure out how to hold some musical ideas inside and remember 'em for a while.

I like to be careful in their transport, humidity and temperature. #I like 'em lots, but I like playing music more, so I want goodns that I can rely upon.

The instruments I have now inspire me, the way they were designed and built and I don't want to be distracted from the experience of those inspirations by stuff that didn't come with the instrument to begin with. #I think that holds true as well for veteran (or vintage, if you like) instruments that show some evidence of their experience, mileage and a rich life.

I can't easily replace my instruments, and I can't really afford to be without 'em for very long, so I really -need- to keep 'em working well. #And the processes and routines I do are, for me, a measure of respect for the instruments and for my craft.

That's just my take on it. #YMDV!! #<GGG>

Thanks a lot to all for a good and long exchange of ideas and experiences!

stv

[Ivan Kelsall]

Have you seen Del McCourey's Guitar recently ?.I suppose when you can play & sing like Del,no one really gives a hoot as to how your Guitar looks as long as it's sounding good.Willie Nelson could do with a new one too.
A friend of mine has a 1986 "Kentucky" F-1500 model with an Abalone Fern inlay on the headstock. It sounds truly lovely,but the condition of it leave much to be desired.It's got some sort of sticky gunge on the top,it's diry & dusty,the fingerbord is really dirty & the frets are tarnished. At some time the headstock scroll had been broken off & re-glued on in a not too professional manner.It just need stripping down & given a thorough make-over.The headstock scroll wants re-fitting & the headstock re-varnishing & it would be not only a great sounding instrument,but a very beautiful one also - the Fern inlay is as good as i've ever seen.
I wish Kentucky did a "Fern" F-5 model today,i'd certainly consider buying one,
Saska

[steve V. johnson]

250sc sez, "sliabhstv,

Do you think your friend is considering a change after hearing his instrument sound bad? "

Yeah, he said he did. I think he's sneaking up on it... <GG> We played Monday night and he spent some time chasing down one of his rattles, but he hasn't cleaned any of his instruments yet.

We'll see. I think it was mentioned here that it was no one's business how anyone else treats their gear, and I'm not one to push. But I will just ask him to wash his hands and then put a well-maintained and clean instrument in his hands when it's time to record. How he sounds on the recording IS (exactly) my business.

Thanks,

stv