How long until i can open it

[Kevin Briggs]

Folks,

This may be a dumb question, and I might answer it in the process fo asking it.

I just received a new mandolin today. The manufacturer said I should wait 24 hours to open the box, but I've heard in the past that 12 hours is good. Any thoughts?

Thanks

[Tim]

Unless I missed something, the issue is sudden temperature changes. #To the extent you have to worry about this at all it would be the amount of time it would take the box to stabilize to your in-door temperatures. In extreme cold/heat it could take 24 hours but that seems extreme.

When mine have arrived, I've opened them almost immediately but there were moderate temperatures outside. #You have much more restraint that most of us.

[Bob DeVellis]

The issue is equalization of temperature between the instrument inside the shipping container and the ambient room temp. In the winter, this can be a big issue with finish checking and other problems a potential result of a sudden change. In the summer, the difference in temperatures should be smaller and take less time to reach equilibrium. I would think a few hours would more than suffice. On the other hand, if there's something wrong when you open the box, there's something to be said for being able to assure everyone that you followed manufacturer's instructions. A problem due to opening after, say 3 hours instead of 24 seems very unlikely to me, though, unless the instrument was really baking in the sun on your front porch for hours. If that was the case, I'd be concerned no matter when you finally opened it.

[Dale Ludewig]

Kevin, this isn't winter! Was it shipped from the extreme climates of our planet? Gads. If neither of those are true, you might want to give a few hours to recover from flying at 30K feet in the cargo hold, but other than that I wouldn't worry about it. But then, please don't hold me responsible if the finish crazes (unlikely). JMHO.

[bradeinhorn]

what is it?

[ssternlight]

On the other side of the fence I acted as a receiver for a custom mando recently and the finish had bubbled extensively on the back. Nothing the builder can't fix but it has to go back. The best guess so far -- since it left in perfect condition -- is the airplane ride was the culprit. Opening the box 12 minutes or twelve hours later wouldn't have made any difference at all...

[Kevin Briggs]

Well, it flew to Ohio Monday, then drove here from Ohio in two days. It has probably been pretty warm for the past few days, like at least 85 degrees. That said, it's probably about 75 degrees in my house right now. It's just an instrument I couldn't afford if I had to buy it outright (traded for it), so I'm a little nervous about opening it. Maybe I'm nuts.

The box feels great, not hot at all. The leather is even a little cool, which is good.

Dale, I'll just send it to you if it needs anything. Maybe you can apply varnish to it? Free of charge of course.

[JEStanek]

what #is it?

What is it? You're killing us!

Jamie

[El Greco]

Whatever it is, tells us slowly, so that we can adjust our temperatures.

[Chris Biorkman]

It's his new Weber fern

[jim_n_virginia]

Dude your being overly cautious I would have ripped open the box in the front yard!

You only have to worry about that in the dead of winter and you bring it into a hot house.

And why won't you tell us what it is and of course I hope you know the rule... if ya get a new mando and mention it on the Cafe you owe us all pictures otherwise your A string will break at your first public gig!

[Kevin Briggs]

Sorry about the mystery. Yep, it's my much anticipated Weber Fern. I ordered it with red spruce top, a tad lighter burst as opposed to the super dark standard, and a custom neck (94 Flatiron Artist). It's very close to what I have now, my custom Bitteroot. There are just some visual upgrades, and that heavily advertised "old wood."

I'll add that this is a pretty big purchase for me, and is one I was only able to complete because of some big trades and a little extra cash. It's really out of my price range, but Dennis Vance made it a reality. I could never just drop the cost of a custom Fern. It would take me years to save up for it.

I have my great wife to thank for putting up with my obsession. We have a beautiful one and a half year old little girl right now, and I certainly had no right to get a new mandolin.

[JEStanek]

Congratulations. You've been talking about that Fern forever. Can't wait to see the pictures.
Jamie

[El Greco]

Kevin,

Having a beautiful one and a half year old little girl and a supporting wife is a blessing. Playing lullabies on your new mando to put them to sleep: priceless.

Enjoy and don't feel guilty.

[Gibsonman]

Kevin you seem like a real good family man. As long as you keep thinking like that all will work out.

[pickinNgrinnin]

Kevin-

Open up that box, remove the Mando, tune it and start playing immediately. Take the next two days off from work!

Have fun and congratulations! I like your loyalty to Bruce and Company's work.

[Kevin Briggs]

Preparing to open... afraid to look... can't... resist... temptation...!

[Mikey G]

Kevin,

I have a wife who is supportive like that...they are really great! Don't feel guilty, as some of us often do, when we indulge our passions. You should have a lifetime of great times with that mandolin which will help you in many ways ecery time you pick it up. I know that the pleasure of finally relaizing one of your dreams can be very beneficial to you by relieving stress and providing an avenue for you to do something for yourself. I think this is part of the rationalization process that many of us go through when we get something for ourselves that's not something we "have to have." Of course when it comes to mandolins, some of us feel like it's something we really need and deserve. When it comes down to it, it's cars for some, boats for others, and mandolins for us lucky fellows that like to pick.
I'd have to agree with the other guys that you've probably waited long enough to be safe to open. I opened my Gibson five minutes after it came off of the truck. Man, you must be like a kid the day before Christmas! Well, Christmas is here, so enjoy and make sure you post some pics. Remeber to indulge your wife when she has one of her "obsessions" she'd like to pursue.

[Eddie]

Preparing to open... afraid to look... can't... resist... temptation...!

...aaaaaaand we lost him!

[Kevin Briggs]

I opened it... and I'm in the clear. No crazing or anything like that.

Initial observations:

Visually this mandolin is just beautiful. The finish is a little lighter than the standard Fern burst, but not much at all. It is also much "redder" than my custom Bitteroot's finish, which I wasn't expecting, but like. I think they wanted to emphasize the "Red" spruce or something. It's definitely unique amongst Ferns, as far as I can tell.

Tonally, it is barking and woofing like a champ, which is what I was hoping for. The highs are there, which is a good sign. The first 30 minutes of playing it reveal a mandolin that sounds sweet, but does not lack any muscle. My adirondacl Bitteroot was the same when I first got it, but the Fern has a little more complexity.

Interestingly, I played them side by side and the "open" sound my Bitteroot is amazing. I have played it like crazy for over two years, and the red spruce is really alive. My Fern is green as all heck, but like I said, it reminds me of the Bitteroot when I got it. It is strong and sweet and alive, which is just what I wanted.

The custom neck is not quite the same as on my Bitteroot. I mailed them my BItteroot to measure the neck and make a template, because the Bitteroot's neck was shaved to a 94 Flatiron Artist neck, but the Fern neck is still a bit beefier, barely. It's just enough for me to notice. Still, it's way smaller than the standard Weber neck, which is too beefy for me.

I'm having some initial trouble with the end of the fingerboard, because I'm used to a scalloped extension, and the Fern does not have it. That will just take some adjusting though.

I am goign to charge up the video camera and record about two or three songs. I'll do one in G, D, and A. I'll post on youtube.com. My plan is to do it again a year later to see if we can tell a difference.

Thanks for the counseling. I can be a real tightwad!

[Mikey G]

Shazaam.

[JeffD]

I have been told to do the following:

Keep the box inside the house, un-opened, until the outside of the box feels the same temperature as other things in the house.

Then open the box, and let it sit open until the packing material feels the same temperature as other things in the house.

Remove packing, remove the instrument in its case. Let it sit until the outside of the case feels the same temperature as other things in the house.

Open the case and let it sit open, until the mandolin feels the same temperature as other stuff in the house.


This seems to make sense to me, and it is what I do - whether the total time takes one hour or twelve or more.

[Kevin Briggs]

Okay, then. I recorded an A/B or whatever it's called, between my custom Bitteroot and the custom Fern. It's kind of obnoxious, but what can I say, I like the camera.

Any clue how I can get it on youtube.com? I have a two year old computer and a two year old video recorder. The video recorder has plugs that can connect it to the TV. That's all I know!

[JeffS]

This is the second or third time I have seen this type of question and it makes me laugh. What is the difference if you are traveling far to a gig or festival and your instrument is in the car trunk or an equipment trailer and you travel 12-14 hours. How long would you have to wait before playing it? I wonder how these 100 year old mandolins and hundreds of year old violins ever survived without climate control.

[Kevin Briggs]

I think it's safe to say that most "road" mandolins are pretty beat up. Isn't that why a lot of professional, touring mandolin players kee their best mandolins at home? I remember hearing Drew Emmitt discuss how he never used to take his Nugget out of the closet because he didn't want to damage it. I also remember seeing Blue Highway and talking to Shawn Lane about his Hicks, which I've since learned is his backup mandolin.