Finish on Givens Mandolins

[erick]

I have a Givens A5 ,#178 from the late 70's, which seems to have a heavier finish on it than I'm used to seeing on mandolins. For example, the annual rings of the top barely come through the finish.

Does anyone know whether Bob used varnish or lacquer on his instruments? The instrument has a nice tone, but I feel like it's a little "choked" and wonder whether having a varnish finish put on after stripping off the old stuff might help matters.

[Mace]

I would leave well enough alone. Your Givens has been incresing in value over the years. Any alteration to the original will cause a significant decrease in value. Maintaining playability would be my only consideration.

[mandolooter]

I wouldn't mess with it either. I was gonna remove the finish from the neck on mine cuz in the heat it gets sticky feeling but even after reading a bunch of posts on how it probably wouldn't affect the resale price I decided to just leave it alone and now use a glove like thing I made to cure the excess friction problem. Mine doesn't sound choked tho. Just what are ya comparing it to when ya say it sounds choked? Every mando sounds different regardless of finish has been my admittanly limited experiences (about 2.5 years playin)

[G. Fisher]

Bob Givens only used lacquer for his finishes. He was known for his ability to put on an extremely thin finish. I have not seen a Givens that had a thick finish or that has the wood grain that is very pronounced.

Could you discribe what you mean by "choked" a little more?

[Willie]

Mr. Fisher...I`m just the opposite of you, I haven`t seen a Givens that didn`t have a lot of laquer finish on it, I have one now that looks like it is plastic coated there is so much laquer...I am after a good sound so I have been taking a little finish off from time to time and its getting to where I want it to be...This my not be for everyone so good luck foks....Willie

[Clyde Clevenger]

I have an A-something Givens, #319. Seems to have very little finish on it. It's very bright, not a bluegrass sound at all, but great for celtic.

[Mace]

Always have heard that Givens set a standard for bluegrass. #A good mandolin is a good mandolin especially in the right hands. #There are others better suited for Celtic, I would imagine. #My Givens also has a rather thick finish. #Perhaps Greg Boyd could enlighten us. #He appears to be the authority on all issues regarding Givens. #I do note that Bernunzio and Intermountain Guitar & Banjo as well as Greg Boyd are currently listing Givens for sale. #Retrieved mine from a shipping center when I had second thoughts on consigning it. #Whatever style, a great mandolin.