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Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.mandohangout.com/archive/54997
Yooper - Posted - 03/28/2021: 13:22:37
I was never very interested in armrests. I figured people bought them just because they wanted to do something to customize their instruments. Looks-wise, I still feel that they detract from the clean lines of a nice mandolin. And if the intention was to prevent wear due to forearm contact, I think that "distressed" look is a badge of honor if it is earned and not faked.
But a few months ago I played a mandolin with an armrest and noticed that it kept my forearm in a better playing position. I have a bad habit of clamping down with my forearm and creating a weird angle. I ordered one for my Stiver F and really like the position that it puts my arm into. Anyway, thought others might not have considered this effect of arm rests.
PS - don't get me started on Tone Guards. ; )
Joe Mangio - Posted - 03/28/2021: 17:09:41
I've used CA armrests on my two Mandos that I sold off with the armrests, back when, I bought into the notion that it improved tone, didn't work for me.
TSSN - Posted - 03/29/2021: 04:36:32
I have them on my mandolins, and I agree that they help with arm/hand position. I never thought too much about wear on the finish, though I suppose it does keep the instrument looking better/unworn. To my ear, it doesn't help at all with tone.
mandosoft - Posted - 03/29/2021: 06:29:12
You could make the argument that a better arm/hand position does improve tone. That's just a secondary effect rather than a primary one, say, like removing the pick guard because it absorbs sound ;)
Joe Mangio - Posted - 03/29/2021: 12:29:35
Some years ago, the arm rest was hyped to improve tone be keeping the arm off the top of the mandolin, so as not to be muffled.
Yooper - Posted - 03/29/2021: 13:40:14
Makes sense. I'm sure that works because even getting the back of a mandolin off your body helps with tone and volume. Especially the way that I pull in with my left fore arm, it would have to dampen the top.
