Never had this happen to me so intensly.

[Keith Newell]

I just strung up my lastest today. I think its the best finish/color I've ever done (more pics later). I have old strings on it now because I always use an old used set to get the action, nut, bridge and any tweaking done, then take all the strings off, glue the nut and string it up with a new set of strings.
Anyway I strung it up and I was so dissapointed with the tone and volume that I was about 2 minutes from taking all the hardware off it and hanging it on the wall. I played it for about 10 minutes and then my daughter came out in the shop and we started talking about it. I was playing it the whole time and she agreed about the tone and volume but then something happened.
I was trading off from another mandolin demonstrating how much lacking it was and every time I did it the difference was harder to tell. Finally she said "I like this one better now" and sure enough I put it through some tough paces and it became loud and a really nice tone. This is still with old strings.
As of now I love the tone and volume. I dont think I've ever seen anything change so much in 1/2 hour of playing as this one. I really was ready to write it off as a wall-hanger. Guess I need more patience and give everything (people included) a chance before I pass judgement on first impressions.
Keith Newell
http://www.newellmandolins.com

[zeke]

I've had exactly the same experience, Keith. It's certainly very disconcerting, to say the least. Actually I think I get so worked up that I'm the worst judge during those first moments.......

[Ken Sager]

Nice story, Keith. That's a magic mandolin, if you ask me.

I had an interesting conversation just last night with a local violin builder. He was commissioned to build a cello for a famous artist about 15 years ago. He was struggling with it for days and was so frustrated at one point that he picked it up and aimed for the window (3rd floor apartment workshop...). Luckily it was cold that day so he hadn't opened the window. Today that cello is in the middle of a world tour in the hands of that artist. Sometimes the most frustrating things turn into the most rewarding.

Best,
Ken

[Dave Wendler]

Even though my instruments are essentially solid body electrics, I"m always astounded with the changes that occur the first couple hours of playing. When first strung up, they sound midrangy and honky...but in a few minutes they start to settle down, and I make sure each one has an hour or two on it before it ships.

A tough job, but someone has to do it.....

[Jim Hilburn]

I have to agree that I experience the "first few minutes opening up" phenomenum on about every mandolin. I have questioned whether it's a trick the mind plays as you really start to hear it, but I don't think so. Drew has been here for a string up, and he noticed it too.

[Magnus Geijer]

I recorded the very first few minutes of my #1, and it sounds just as ###### as I thought at the time. Goose-honky and flat and nasal. An hour or two later it had mellowed and settled in the most amazing way. Can't claim I know why it happens though.

/Magnus

[Magnus Geijer]

Man. That's one harsh censoring filter.