Mandolins "Opening Up"
So I see people talk about playing a new mandolin, or one that maybe has been stored and recently put back into playing condition, and they talk about it "opening up" and the sound changing as it is played. Just wanted to put out a few questions and gather some opinions on the subject, just to get peoples' thoughts:
1. What specifically are you hearing when you say it "opens up"?
2. Have you ever had someone else listen and be able to hear what you're hearing?
I ask #2 because I'm curious; is it really the mandolin changing, or is it the player "settling in" and getting used to how the instrument sounds? Or both?
3. Is "opening up" basically a conventional-wisdom kind of thing, or has anyone ever tried to study the matter objectively?
I realize that mandolins, like violins, guitars, etc., are made from natural materials that were once living, breathing organisms, and they are definitely affected by their environment. I'm fascinated by the idea that the act of playing itself seems to affect the instrument. Just wanted to see what people had to say about the matter.
-- Johnson MA-100 Mando
-- Eastman MDO-305 OM
-- 3 Seagull Merlin dulcimers (2GDG, 1DAD)
-- 1952 Harmony Roy Smeck guitar
-- Ortega Lizzie Ubass
-- Leigh Campbell electric violin
-- Pfretzschner violin
-- Glaesel viola
-- Ibanez acoustic/electric guitar
-- Misc: a cello, 2 cigarbox guitars, charango, djembe, slide dulcimer.
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