BS: Can an instrument be too good?

Subject: Can an instrument be too good?
From: oggie
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 04:46 PM

Two years ago my anglo-concertina and mandolin got stolen. The insurance company paid up but I had to spend the money at a named shop. Could not find an anglo I liked so I blew most of it on a mandolin - a 1908 Gibson A2.

It's a lovely instrument, other players say how good it sounds but I CANNOT get it to play properly for me. Every fault, miss-pick and mistake echos around and I cannot make it sing for me.

I am drawn to the conclusion that for me the instrument is too good and maybe I should think again. Has anyone else had a similar experience or have any thoughts on the subject? Can an instrument be TOO good?

All the best

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Amergin
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 04:49 PM

It might be that you're heart is not just into that instrument and so you concentrate on all the mistakes instead of the pleasure of playing....

Amergin

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 04:56 PM

Every instrument has its own character. I fully believe that an instrument has a living soul (as does everything else) and from this derives its character. It sounds to me like you are just not compatible with this particular instrument, rather than that it is too good. I have owned various quite expensive guitars...Martins mostly...but I have a Yamaha dreadnought that is just such a joy to play, even though I've had Martins which cost 4 times as much I still like this Yamaha the best...so far. There is one type of situation where an instrument can be too good...if it's in the hands of someone who mistreats it and doesn't appreciate it. I've seen cases like that. Sort of like seeing a woman of great character in the company of the neighborhood jerk...or vice versa. I've seen that too. For a player who respects the instrument and treats it accordingly, I doubt that it can ever be TOO good, but maybe it's just not the right one for him/her on a personal level. Go with what you feel, and don't worry about brandnames.

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: kendall
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:04 PM

I had a Gibson J-45 for 45 years, and, it never did fit me. It was a great guitar, but, we just didn't "hitch horses" as they say. Now, I play the Taylor, and, it makes an unbelievable difference. It's probably not you, or the instrument, it is you and that particular instrument. (IMHO)

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:05 PM

Yay for Yamaha dreadnoughts! Talk about a big-hearted guitar!

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Dee45
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:15 PM

I agree 100% with Little Hawk about every instrument having its own character. And not every instrument is suited to the size of hands and length and thickness of your fingers. Just because something costs a lot of money does not mean it will play well for you.

Case in point. A few years ago, I purchased a new Martin HD-28 Vintage Series guitar and while it had nice tone, the V neck felt awkward to me but I thought that with enough practise I would "grow into it". I never did no matter how much practising I spent and, trying to work with its neck.

It was a very frustrating and as somewhat costly experience for me. The problem turned out to be that I my hands and V necks are not compatible, and a low profile neck ended up much more to my liking. I ended up trading the instrument back to the store and purchasing a different dreadnought with a much slimmer neck, and suddenly everything that I could not play on the HD-28VS, was clear as a bell on its replacement.

There is no such thing as an instrument being "too good" for you, if it feels right to you, and, if it gives you enjoyment playing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: SeanM
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:16 PM

I don't know...

I see it sort of like buying a car when you're a new driver.

If you get a super high performance car, then you have to deal with a vehicle you have trouble getting to perform up to potential, and this may become a worry. As well, your mistakes with oversteering, stalling, etc., will be transmitted directly from you to the outside world...

BUT, if you get a car that's got some wear on it, or even one built to be reliable and dependable over 'best in the world', you may find that your mistakes are more easily correctable... that you don't dedicate your mind to "I need to move faster, because that's what this is designed for"...

I'd say the same for instruments. I am VERY happy to have learned how to play tinwhistle on a POS plastic tipped monstrosity that cost me $5 - I'd heard about second and third registers, but that poor whistle sure hadn't. As such, I concentrated on making what I had work as well as I could... and then I finally got my first 'real' Clarke, and found I could do much more than I thought I could. I still don't really know a third register, but that's why I'm getting closer to them "Fur-are-ee" type whistles...

For an established musician? I'd agree it's being suited for what you play. For a learner? I'd have to say that unless you've got a damn good teacher, then yes. It is possible to get an instrument that's too good.

M

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:28 PM

I'm glad I'm not alone in imparting life to inanimate objects. I suppose it started with toys as a child and now reaches somewhat ridiculous levels at times. A saying found inside an old violin and well known among those who build instruments:

I was alive in the forest.
I was cut by the cruel axe.
In life I was silent.
In death, I sweetly sing.

Some instruments don't fit us, are of a sound that is not right for us..........but all have a personality and an individualism of their own.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Mbo
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:38 PM

A good friend of mine used to say that your guitar is like your wife--you love her, and it doesn't feel good to be with anyone but her. She is unmatched, and no other will ever do but her.

--Matt

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: GUEST,Cleigh O'Possum
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 05:46 PM

I'm a very quiet little possum but I still enjoy a good puff in the ass and I know it makes others feel good to do it.

Oggie, no matter what the instrument, we all like to be loved and played. You rarely can disappoint us.....only yourself.

CLEIGH O'POSSUM

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: reggie miles
Date: 31 Jul 00 - 06:03 PM

I unfortunately felt that way about my 1927 Martin 00028. It had an OM (Orchestral Model) scale length and something I've never seen since on any of the supposed copies that folks are producing nowadays, very thin and scalloped bracing. The guitar made even my humble abilities sound so much better. I foolishly decided that the guitar wasn't meant for me and that it was, as you have said, too good for me. I placed the guitar on consignment but as soon as it left my hands I realized my mistake. It was too late though. I thought that once the consignment contract was up I would ask that it be returned, and did, but the dealer, someone who I now consider to be rather unscrupulous, twisted the language of the contract and I lost it. I've looked since but have never found its equal among new or old guitars. Someone later told me, if a guitar comes your way, it was meant to be in your hands and to never consider your abilities as unworthy of an instrument. Presently I've been dabbling at luthierism and have had some success at constructing my own monstrosities. Thankyou Dr. Frankenstine for all your inspiration. I'm not saying I'll ever be able to replace the one that got away or even build anything close to what I had but I have found great joy in creating my own and have even influenced a few others to try their hand at making their own guitars. Hey, if I can do it, I think it's safe to say anybody can.

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: GUEST,Potter
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 02:52 PM

Are you selling that J45? It's one of my DREAM guitars--sexy sunburst, relaxed slope shoulder, comfortable short scale--A DREADNAUGHT FOR FINGERPICKERS! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

jOHN

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: kendall
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 02:56 PM

Sorry, I gave it away 3 years ago. If you ever get to see Dave Mallett (Inch by inch) he might be playing it.

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 05:20 PM

It all comes down to the question: "Good for whom, and in what respect?"

If I want to take a banjo on a backpacking trip, a $3000 Gibson is not "good" for me. A $230 Deering Goodtime is the better bet for that use.

If I play old-timey clawhammer, (and I do) that $3000 Gibson is not "good" for me. My $840 Chanterelle (Ramsey) is perfect.

But if I want to "play like Earl" in Bluegrass, the finest of the antique 100-year-old Fairbanks banjos is not "good".

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 05:28 PM

In a word. NO

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 05:32 PM

I think the only way you can grow as a musician is to have an instrument thats "better than you are". I agree with Reggie - if an instrument comes your way you were meant to have it. As long as you didn't knock over some little old lady to get to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: GUEST,CLETUS
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 06:10 PM

Well the oanly instermunt I got wuz the wun what Ize born wif an I figger I got it frum my Daddy. Now ifn summa yall dont holt wif the interment yu got ur yall doan like it much, mebbe itz cuz ya took after yur Mama insted. Jez seemz rite logicul ta me.

CLETUS

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: GUEST, Banjo Johnny
Date: 01 Aug 00 - 07:17 PM

Although they can be too expensive. You can buy a guitar for $200, or you can buy one for $20,000. Is the second guitar better than the first one? Probably yes. Is it a hundred times better?? Probably no.

Age, of itself, doesn't change the value of an instrument either. A one hundred year old piece of junk is still a piece of junk. In my town there are a lot of "Antique" shops selling old stuff at high prices, to people who should know better. There is one born every minute.

Then there are collectors, who buy anything they think they can re-sell at a profit. It's legal, but it's driving up the cost of good instruments beyond the reach of many. Oh well, sigh. == Johnny

Subject: RE: BS: Can an instrument be too good?
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 02 Aug 00 - 06:10 AM

Aaaargh...I would pull my own teeth out for a 1908 Gibson A2, the mandolin being my original and probably best instrument!

But what most people have said here is true I think. Every instrument is so individual, it's either well suited to you or it isn't. I've been through dozens of instruments and played literally hundreds more from my music shop and instrument-repairing days, and I wouldn't part with the three (guitar, mandolin and mandola)I have now. They're not the most expensive I have ever tried but they are the ones that "feel just right" when I play them. Like others have said, it's almost like they have a "soul" of their own!

Peace

mcmoo