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Thread: Resetting Expectations on Quality

  1. #1

    Default Resetting Expectations on Quality

    I got a boerboel (south African mastiff) recently. She's currently 8 months old and 150 lbs. When I play any instrument she loves to put her mouth on them, whether she's licking or just rubbing her big dumb nose all over them. Because of this I got a bottom of the line The Loar as a beater to play around the house (and the dog). After a few months of playing the beater, I picked up my mid range eastman and lemme tell you, the thing sounded like harps in the hands of angels. Even my wife was impressed with the change in tone between instruments. Nothing to reset your expectations like playing a beater for four months. Lol
    I've been chasing tone since I started playing, apparently all it took was a beater to make me appreciate decent.

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  3. #2
    Registered User Billy Packard's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    Nothing like dog slobber to polish up your sound!!
    Billy Packard
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  4. #3
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    Be careful, when you play a premium mando, you can’t bare to play or hear a basic model. Then the MAS sickness takes over!
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
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    Registered User Marcus CA's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    Quote Originally Posted by Em Tee View Post
    When I play any instrument she loves to put her mouth on them, whether she's licking or just rubbing her big dumb nose all over them.
    Good thing you play stringed instruments, rather than brass or woodwinds.
    still trying to turn dreams into memories

  6. #5
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    Quote Originally Posted by Em Tee View Post
    Nothing to reset your expectations like playing a beater for four months.
    So if I could only play worse for four months...
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
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  8. #6
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    I feel this!

    Last summer I traveled to ND and only had my (the) Loar lm170 for a couple weeks. My Weber never sounded sweeter when I got home to it!

  9. #7
    Purveyor of Sunshine sgarrity's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    I have Boxers. There’s dog slobber on my Heiden....

  10. #8

    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    Quote Originally Posted by sgarrity View Post
    I have Boxers. There’s dog slobber on my Heiden....
    I don't even want dog slobber on my pava or morris, can't imagine the aneurysm I would have if I got slobber on a Heiden. Lol

    She licks The Loar and that isn't an issue for me at all. I can't wait till she is over this mouthy phase so I can toss this thing in kindling.

  11. #9
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    I used to have a dog that loved hot hide glue. It would run away with the hot glue pot and anything within reach from the shop........
    www.condino.com

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  13. #10
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    Default Re: Resetting Expectations on Quality

    It does amaze me the difference in tone and playability $1000 dollars will make, you do find this with other instruments, but to me it seems very pronounced in mandolin, of course the wood 'quality" is essential and the basics like getting the dimensions correct, the finishing process very much affecting the sound. I can barely nail two pieces of wood together so I have the utmost respect for someone who can turn wire and wood into a tone monster. I seem to prefer mid 2000s Webers, and even within the same Luthier shop you "get what you pay for". If you can swing it, keep the beater (until you find someone who needs one) if it has high action or you have to work at tone, it makes picking up that "heavenly" box all the sweeter.
    Stormy Morning Orchestra

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