Question about customising a mandolin
Hi!!
Next week I’ll be getting my first mandolin, A less expensive one about $200 and i’m really excited, I see some mandolins (and even guitars/ukuleles) with paintings on the body I wanted to know if I can do that on a mandolin? Since its a fairly standard mandolin (an A style Bryden archtop mandolin), I’d really like to make it my own but I want to be sure that it’s not gonna change the sound or break it in anyway?
Thank you
(Also sorry if this question is in the wrong spot/has been asked before!)
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
It will be yours; knock yourself out.
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Re: Question about customising a mandolin
My favorite mandolin with an image on it the "Parrot Loar", a signed Gibson mandolin for the 20's. A later owner made the decision to have the painting removed. As Don says, it's your mandolin.
http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/71055
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Ah, if that mandolin could only squawk.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
In general, thicker finish on a mandolin equates to worse, less responsive sound. Adding paint would likely have some negative effect on the sound. However, a $200 mandolin is not likely to have the best sound anyway, due to its construction and finish, so the effects of additional paint might not be significant. Personally I think it seems like a fun project. Share pics if you proceed!
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Feel free to customize your mandolin to suit your needs and tastes. In theory, paint does affect how the sound is transmitted through the wood, but in real life, I doubt if you could hear the difference unless it was heavily painted all over.
The back of an instrument is less important to sound transfer than the front, so you could always start by decorating the back.
Look at the Silver Angel line of mandolins for some inspiration.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Go for it. Won't affect the sound unless you put a tin of paint on it. It will, of course, affect re-sale value but then again, you'd maybe want to keep it for ever.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Flatiron did it...
https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...-flag-mandolin
Gibson has as well, I seem to remember one over the top "Venetian" style F-5 from decades ago.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
My 2 cents would be to lock yourself up in a cabin in the woods. You have food, water, a couple of good OldTime tune books with TAB too, and a METRONOME.
Three months should do it.
When you emerge that mandolin will be yours.
Then you can think about artwork.
-though you probably wont actually do any artwork because then you’d be wasting valuable practice time while waiting for the paint to dry.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Charles E.
Check out this thread. I believe it's in there with some other over-the-top stuff.
Actually, the late Paul Hostetter posted the Greg Rich Venitian mandolin and another amazing piece of work in this message in that thread in this message.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Heuristics
...I want to be sure that it’s not gonna change the sound or break it in anyway?
To address that part of the question: it's not guaranteed to be optimal, perfect, or rational, but is nevertheless sufficient for reaching an immediate, short-term goal.
Re: Question about customising a mandolin
Yep, post #17 in the first link. :disbelief:
