$49.99 Mandolin

[Walter]

Musician's Friend offers a $49 Rogue "A" Mandolin in your choice of black or sunburst. #I've played cheap mandolins and I know how they typically sound, but $49 ?? !!

At that price I figure could keep it in my trunk all year round and not be too concerned. #Or, I could use it as a "set-up project". Am I missing something here?

Has anyone had experience with this model? #Good, bad, or otherwise??

[glauber]

There have been some comments. I think somebody commented on the Rogue mandolin+guitar set in a thread about sending a mandolin to someone serving in Iraq.

[mrbook]

My friend bought that mandolin with the guitar set from MF recently. The guitar played better out of the box than new Gibsons and Martins I've played in most shops. I couldn't find anything to improve, and it didn't sound terrible, either - no, I don't want one. On the other hand, I could not get the mandolin to play in tune no matter where I moved the bridge. If my friend had wanted to keep it, I would have tried putting on an older but decent rosewood bridge I had around, but he brought it to a local shop and traded it for a double guitar stand.

[MrTidy]

I've got that Rogue (it was my first mando). It never sounds quite in tune, but I can get it close. It was good for learning (I learned I wanted a better mandolin). Sounds like..., well, it sounds like someone put strings on a phonebook!

If you are just learnin i would say go ahead. But if you have other options i would take them.

[acousticphd]

Maybe stay away from the $50 Rogue mandolin, but the basic MF Rogue brand A-style hardcase though ($29.99, on sale for $19.99), is a heckuva deal!

[grant_eversoll]

I got them as a set guitar/mandolin for gifts for two of my kids and I was amazed. the guitar was great as well as the mando...for the price that is, yes there are much better mandos but for the price you will be a happy camper

[MartinD_GibsonA]

$49.99 Mandolin, How good/bad can it be?

My guess is pretty bad! # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[rhetoric]

Cheaper than a felt painting of the Duke or Elvis if you're looking for a wall-hanger. A little more expensive than firewood, though it would burn. Inexpensive visual aid if you want to give a speech about manodolin construction and you need a "cut-away."

My first mando was a $60 used Kay and I learned chords and I learned that I really wanted to play the mandolin. As long as you know what you're getting, go for it. It probably won't appreciate in value, though -- at least during your lifetime.

[Darryl Wolfe]

I had someone bring me a mando for "how much is this worth" It was a Rogue, and I had never seen one. It was
A-5ish with binding and such, but laminate construction..it actually sounded acceptable and played ok..I figured it was probably worth $100-$175??...offered $75 if he wanted to sell....maybe they are a good deal for under $100

[garyblanchard]

I got this set early on; the name on the guitar and mando at that time was Johnson, however I imagine they are the same thing as the Rogue. The guitar went to a coworker who seemed happy with it and I kept the mando. It stayed in tune pretty well, wasn't too difficult to play, and sounded good enough for my fooling around with it. I think it was a nice intro to mando.

If you get a Rogue go for the black one. Sunburst in cheaper brands just looks... well cheap. Im still not sure if this is a deal or just a waste of money. But if you never played a mando i would go for it! Everyone will start out somewhere. And your not gonna start with a 10,000 dollar mando. At least usually.

[straight-a]

I've played a few of the Rogues and for a beginner or something to take camping, etc. they aren't that bad. Good action and playability. By no means a tone monster but you wouldn't expect that for $50, now would you?

[Wayne Webb]

About 18 months ago, I bought my son one of the $49 Johnsons. Being a craftsman (of sorts) I was amazed, stunned at how they could manage to build an instrument like that so cheap.
It's very well made, the craftsmanship and materials are much better than you would expect and it looks nice. The only drawback is the limited resonance from the laminated top and that it doesn't stay in tune all that great. But that, in all fairness, is probably influenced by my sons heavy hand. hehe

Knowing what I know now, I would have started him on a Gibson or something (if finances would allow). But we definitely got our money's worth out of it and it's ready for another kid to learn on.

[Ken Berner]

Certainly, you should buy it. After a little experience with that instrument, you will have a great appreciation for a real mandolin. By the way, get the black top model; probably an indication of the tone you will have.

[toddjoles]

Remember that these prices are without setup. #My first mando was an ebay cheapie. #When it came it was vertualy unplayable I then checked the going local rate for setup (bone nut, fit bridge etc..) and it was almost double the cost of the mando!! It was a hard thing to justify so I hit frets.com and learned how to do it myself.

It now plays like a high end mando but it will never sound like one!!!