"Tight" mandolin

[Steve_R]

When a mandolin is described as being "tight", what does
that mean? Thx.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

My understanding is that it means the mandolin has not opened up yet. Many new mandolins have that tight sound, but with playing a lot over time will open up, and the sound becomes louder and more toneful. I have had mandolins which never did open up, however. Some of the mandolins built ten or twenty years ago were "overbuilt" to ensure that there weren't any warranty problems or perhaps the luthiers were just afraid to shave off that last little bit of wood and go with a few less coats of finish. Just my opinion, though.

[jasona]

I think "tight" refers to the freedom with which the top vibrates. As the mandolin "opens up" the toop vibrates freer, and the tone expands and responsiveness (how strongly you must pluck the string to get a particular volume: the less pluck for the most volume is "responsive") increases. Its quite an incredible phenomenon to experience!

[PCypert]

Do you think some of this has anything to do with the finish sinking in to the grain on the top of the mando? I've noticed this happens with my guitars and mandos. When this begins to happen I notice a nicer sound from my instruments.
Paul

[ira]

don't know what its from, but i was not a believer until i heard it with my own ears. actually first noticed by my music partner, who turned to me a few weeks ago with a smile and said'" now listen to that sound" when i did i understood what opened up meant.