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formerly Philphool
Re: What is the Difference between a $6,000 and $3,000 mandolin?
Certainly the appearance of the instrument being considered has to make you happy, but beyond that, the ultimate test is comparing how your present instrument plays and sounds, with the instrument being considered for purchase.
If the new instrument doesn't have some improvements in feel or sound that you appreciate, then no purchase should occur. (Unless, of course, you have excess room in your closet. )
Phil
“Sharps/Flats” ≠ “Accidentals”
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Registered User
Re: What is the Difference between a $6,000 and $3,000 mandolin?
I find these discussions fascinating, because they are like a bunch of folks who sing in the shower talking about how anybody could sing like Luciano Pavarotti if they just wandered up on stage.
But the reality is that great singers don't come cheap -- they are rare and invested a lifetime of dedicated study and practice to achieve their unique, impactful, memorable tone.
For instrumentalists, the "voice" is the combination of the player's talents WITH the instrument, and the possibilities for expression can be increased or limited by both the player and the instrument.
And while us folks who are not playing at the upper limits of expression can opine on what makes their musical voice great, we really don't have the deep foundations of knowledge, skills, and years of focused effort to even really understand the world where they are working.
Imagine yourself walking from singing in the shower out onto a stage in a sports area with 75,000 fans (grab a towel first) . . . Suddenly the way your voice has to deliver takes on a whole new perspective.
This level of dependability for finesse, complexity, power, range that profound singers learn to develop with their voices is what great (and truly valuable) instruments are able to deliver to players. There are a host of good reasons Chris Thile used his "Genius Grant" to buy a $200,000 Gibson Loar!
And yes, some players delight in the voice they achieve with inexpensive instruments, and all great players can express themselves with even the rattiest Guitar Center cheapie. But when they make this choice, it is knowing that they are purposefully limiting their voice for the fun of it, or to get a specific impact.
However, having had the opportunity now to work with a handful of truly amazing players, it has become clear to me that what they really value is an instrument which opens up new possibilities of expression; which allows them to tap into new, previously more difficult types of playing; which speaks for them in ways that they had previously only imagined; and which they know that they can trust to be there for them when the stakes are high and the music must be great. Most importantly, these are instruments which increase their joy and desire to play and create.
And so for the rest of us, who delight in playing and having wonderful instruments, the need is rarely so extreme. Almost any well-made stick with strings will do the trick . . . and will satisfy our needs (particularly if we invest in a good professional set-up). But it is really cool to be able to share some of the tools of the greats.
The beauty of it is, we can keep exploring and opening up new doorways of expression, delighting in music, and learning what we each value as we continue to grow our own voice. And as we grow, know that there are instruments that have, built-in, musical potential which we never dreamed possible.
And, even though we are not out on the big stage, all of us can feel like this --
Steve
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Mando-Afflicted
Re: What is the Difference between a $6,000 and $3,000 mandolin?
Last edited by lflngpicker; Sep-10-2018 at 2:40pm.
Reason: ethical considerations...
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