Re: Stradivarius ... again
Originally Posted by
billkilpatrick
Deciding on "The" instrument for you is probably down to internal chemistry - a combination of visual and audio boxes being ticked; how often and how consistently. Your earlier point about the estimated value of an ancient instrument having a tenuous connection to the sound it makes is also good. I was interested in "Stradivarius" and "Lloyd Loar" as brand names. In terms of sound alone, science indicates that age doesn't have much to do with an instrument's value. I'd love to see a comparative study between a Lloyd Loar signed F5 and other similarly constructed, modern F5 mandolins in variety of price ranges to see how they match up.
Lots of that conversation has been going on around here, Bill, for as long as I've been hanging out at the MC. There are those who love to be certain that the vintage icons sound better and those who love to say the emperor has no mandolins--I mean, clothes. Some who love their mandolin (purchased for whatever price) and are certain it sounds better than something sold at X times the price. Then their are the "acoustic science" folks who throw numbers at everything as a way to affirm their authority (neglecting the fact that everyone's ears are different.)
I'm up at Elderly all the time playing their mandolins. I haven't found an Eastman or a Kentucky or a The Loar that sound as good (to me) as the nice Gibson, A ovals and Fs that they get in and out. Or their Loar. Or the Gibsons I own. That's not to say they don't sound good. Some of the Kentuckys have sounded really good. And some better to my ear than some leaden Gibsons. But it's not the sound I like. I prefer the sound of the Pavas and the Ellis-es I have played to the classic dryer Gibson sound.
I resist the urge to get categorical about anything with such complex variables. Though I know that is bucking the trend these days.
I've watched and enjoyed as you have shared your experiences with a range of mandolins over the years here, Bill, and am super happy that you are super happy with your F model. If you want to believe it as as wonderful as the $200K Loar namesakes, I'm good with that, too. My wife is the most beautiful woman who has ever walked the planet.
Mick
Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
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