bacchettadavid
Well-known member
Sometimes you get what you pay for; sometimes you get more; sometimes less -- all relative to other instruments at the same price point, of course.
One of my students plays an exceptional $80 Diamond Head tenor that sounds as nice as most $400 tenors. I've encountered $800 'ukulele that were inferior to average all-solid or good solid-top Kalas. Even at the $1000 price point, there is considerable variation between individual 'ukulele, and I've played $1k K brand duds and gems.
Having said all that, I agree with Kenn and PoiDog. While higher price points offer diminishing returns, real differences (some subtler than others) exist. Clarity of attack, volume, intonation, playability, overtone production, tonal focus, quality of finish, etc. -- all these can be improved upon, albeit at considerable expense. Once, I spent a short time with a classical guitar owned by a certain virtuoso. The instrument was absolutely incredible, and I'd have given a kidney to spend a year or two with it. When I asked what it was valued at (a cool $45,000), I thought the value was appropriate for an instrument of its quality -- remotely achievable if the buyer is willing to sacrifice (much like actually realizing the potential of such a fine instrument).
For myself, I just hope that everyone has the pleasure of being inspired by their instrument. For some, this means a $100 garage sale special. For others, it's a $100K Lorenzo Ventapane-esque rarity. Either way, the experience of playing a great instrument, one which reliably serves as a mirror for the musician who plays it, begets a debt that exceeds the instrument's monetary value.
One of my students plays an exceptional $80 Diamond Head tenor that sounds as nice as most $400 tenors. I've encountered $800 'ukulele that were inferior to average all-solid or good solid-top Kalas. Even at the $1000 price point, there is considerable variation between individual 'ukulele, and I've played $1k K brand duds and gems.
Having said all that, I agree with Kenn and PoiDog. While higher price points offer diminishing returns, real differences (some subtler than others) exist. Clarity of attack, volume, intonation, playability, overtone production, tonal focus, quality of finish, etc. -- all these can be improved upon, albeit at considerable expense. Once, I spent a short time with a classical guitar owned by a certain virtuoso. The instrument was absolutely incredible, and I'd have given a kidney to spend a year or two with it. When I asked what it was valued at (a cool $45,000), I thought the value was appropriate for an instrument of its quality -- remotely achievable if the buyer is willing to sacrifice (much like actually realizing the potential of such a fine instrument).
For myself, I just hope that everyone has the pleasure of being inspired by their instrument. For some, this means a $100 garage sale special. For others, it's a $100K Lorenzo Ventapane-esque rarity. Either way, the experience of playing a great instrument, one which reliably serves as a mirror for the musician who plays it, begets a debt that exceeds the instrument's monetary value.
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