Arm rest residue

[Soupy1957]

Over time, do the Armrests, (presumably with a cork base) leave behind a cork residue or any kind of #### on the body of the mando? How can I provent this?

Also along the same lines, I note that there are Maple, Ebony, sycamour and a variety of other materials for the Arm Rests. Are any of these worth AVOIDING?

-Soupy1957

[Soupy1957]

Geeze, guys!! All I wrote was CR_P!
-Soupy1957

[DryBones]

Soup,Doesn't matter what wood is used because it never contacts the mando, just the cork does. I have an armrest on both my Eastmans and they both have smudged the finish where the cork makes contact. no big deal to me since I will never take them off. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jerry Byers]

The secret to using armrests is to wait until the finish cures properly and not to put it on too tight. I put one on my Varnish Fern, but it has cured for about 2 1/2 years. I took it off the other day, and there isn't any indication that one was on there. I suspect because Eastman uses a spirit varnish under lacquer, the finish may take some time to cure properly.

[mythicfish]

In the few months since I've installed my armrest, I hav'n't noticed any change in the finish. Others have reported otherwise.
Mine was installed for reasons of comfort and to eliminate sweat stains. In time I expect that the cork in comtact with the finish
will have some effect on the finish. NBD. I bought this instrument new and intend to play it for all it's worth.

Woods to avoid ? Black walnut ... may cause a nasty skin rash.

Words to avoid ? This forum is more stringent than a meeting of the FCC. I don't know what to tell you. These days, everybody wants everybody to "be nice".

Curt

[Soupy1957]

Hey Jerry: What's too tight? I don't want to crack the glue or finish, or hamper the tone.

Should you just "snug it up?"

-Soupy1957

P.S. So, other than "black walnut" its simply a matter of personal preference? I guess I was just wondering if the wood would crack or break over time, as opposed to the ebony.

[Jerry Byers]

Just snug it up. You would really have to crank it down to crack the glue or finish. Mine is just snug enough to stay in place. If I wanted to, I could move the armrest with some gentle pressure. If the armrest is placed right, the cork should rest on the binding and not affect the tone. However, Steve (Gianna Violins) mentioned that the armrest did slightly dampen the area around the armrest. I didn't notice it - probably couldn't, even if I tried.

Make sure the barrels (??) don't rest against the side of the mando. Some folks have mentioned that may leave marks.

[Doug Edwards]

Too much pressure is not a good thing. Nor is not enough as the slipping off of the rest can cause marks, ie. the scuffs left by tuners being slid on and off. #I view this to be an unavoidable occurance.

If you wish to avoid this wear and tear on your instrument avoid everything the can be attached & removed on the instrument such as straps, tuners, capos, tonegards, and armrests. The bridge itself almost always leaves a mark on the top and changing strings often lead to scratches. Better yet, wipe the instrument down really good and leave it in the case. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mythicfish]

Soupy, life is trial and error ... no guarantees.
Arm rests and chin rests do not come with torque specifications. If it moves too often or too easilly, make it a little tighter.
If you're worried about "barrel" marks, wrap them with some chamois cloth.

Curt

[Soupy1957]

all good points...."thanks" everyone!
-soupy1957

[pickinNgrinnin]

[QUOTE]Over time, do the Armrests, (presumably with a cork base) leave behind a cork residue or any kind of #### on the body of the mando? How can I provent this?

Forget the armrest - wear an arm sock http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandroid]

cork strip is all that contacts, seems it sits on the binding and a part of the top thats backed by the rim liner strips, so theres firm support.