"beater" mandos vs. case candy

[MikeEdgerton]

Everything is relative I guess, to me it's not that old but then again I am old.

[Denman John]

You're overthinking it. If you aren't going to play it, sell it if you need the money and buy something that you will play. Instruments are made to be played. If taken care of, the mandolin will probably outlive you and me both. Is that worth my 2 cents?

[almeriastrings]

There are players --and then there are collectors.

Also worth noting that the 'collector's market' for Aria instruments is pretty much non-existent..... so no reason not to play it if you like it. The only time I'd consider a 'beater' instrument is for genuinely risky activities... camping trip (perhaps) or travel overseas into high risk areas. Other than that, I don't see the point in having good instruments and then not using them.

[James Miller]

The Mandolin Store has The Loar LM370 Mandolin as a special buy, for $288 right now. Not sure how good this one is but the cost probably is negligible to a lot of you.

[fatt-dad]

buy the $288 mandolin, leave your $1000 mandolin at home. Collect all your stories on the one that really doesn't make you happy. In the end, the nice one will be easy to part with (i.e., get the big bucks) later.

Maybe one day, upgrade.

f-d

(I've carried my 1920 Gibson everywhere, same for all the others - camping, flying, field work, etc.)

[EdHanrahan]

.... camping, flying, field work, etc.)

Yeah but... You got the guts to take it to a 4-year-old's birthday party?

[JeffD]

This world has room for both types of mandolin owners: players and collectors. You have to ask yourself: Which one are you?

Or buy two, one to play and one to collect.

[fatt-dad]

Yeah but... You got the guts to take it to a 4-year-old's birthday party?

My 1930 Gibson L1 went to the hayride at the elementary school. Again, for me it's the stories.

I really don't quite get the beater!

f-d

[stevedenver]

OP
Ok, i get you love how pretty the aria is, and would like to keep it that way.

I dont get, at all, why you cant play it, take it places, and look after it.
Yes, its not carefree, something to manage, etc. that is what, imho, you need to think about.

I take my expensive mandolins out. They are never out of my hands, left on a chair, lying on the floor, or unattended, they go into the restroom when needed, and, im mindful of banjo players sitting too closely with wagging headstocks. I am most aware of opportunistic thieves, and mandos are easy to grab and run.

Otoh, there ARE situations where its rough. Exposure to elements, no way. But thats me.

Bad bars, hot car trunks, freezing cold trunks, car back seats, etc.

To buy a beater.....i think you will find that after a year or so, you will still gravitate to one over another.

I think to spend $300 to preserve a $1K mando is questionable.

Heres the deal. When you play an instrument, at home or at gigs, even if you're very careful, things will happen.

[Mark Wilson]

I really don't quite get the beater!

Me neither. My mil had the plastic covers on her lamps and sofa. Urge to keep it nice greater than the urge to use it I guess.