Wade,
I'm purely a living-room player. Although it's fun to invite someone over to my living room when I get a chance I don't aspire to playing in jams or whatnot.
What probably made the difference for me is that all my mental tone references for mandolin are studio recordings of closely miked high-end ff-hole archtops. There was just something missing in my flat-top that was supposed to be there.
And speaking of living rooms, mine is a pretty darned "live" space to play with hardwood floors, sheetrock walls and ceiling and not a whole lot of upholstered furniture. So I think some of that "cut and project" sound comes back at me from the room and I enjoy the clarity. Related to why OM/000/L-00 type guitars always sound better to me in that room than dreds, jumbos or even my classical guitar. I'm like my own ensemble because of the live room!
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Grabbed his jacket
Put on his walking shoes
Last seen, six feet under
Singing the I've Wasted My Whole Life Blues
---Warren Malone "Whole Life Blues"
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