I came to the mandolin from the fiddle. It is no secret in the violin world that old instruments are much prized; like a fine wine, their tone opens up and improves over time. But violins have much lower tension than mandolins and aren't subject to the stresses that work against mandolins.
Recently, a friend offered me my choice of several vintage cylinder back Vega mandolins in fine condition between 100 and 120 years old. We've known each other a long time and I trust him, I just do not really understand how mandolins age. How long are mandolins good for? Does an instrument that is nearly a century old have a lot of life in it? I know mandolins open up in time, though when mandolinists speak of that I find they tend to speak in terms of time that is much shorter than what fiddlers think. How long is it from the time a well cared for mandolin peaks til its voice begins to degrade.
I know this is a complicated set of questions and there is no simple answer, but your input would be much appreciated.
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