View Full Version : advice buying tomorrow
prayerbone
May-15-2005, 9:24pm
hi,ive posted a few times about various vintage mandolins on ebay.but i have decided to go with a new mandolin for my first one..
iam a bits short of £ so its either the kentucky 340 or 380..can anyone tell me if there's much difference between the two models? only difference i could see was one had a flamed maple back and the other as a maple back is that just cosmetic..thk in advance aj
latentaudio
May-16-2005, 6:39am
I have a Kentucky KM380 that sounds pretty good. My advice is to play them and see which one YOU like the best.
All of the Kentuckys that I have seen need a good setup.
grandmainger
May-16-2005, 6:55am
Andy,
Where about are you in the UK? Anywhere near London or Brighton? There are shops in both towns that carry a good selection that you may want to test before buying.
What kind of budget are you on?
prayerbone
May-16-2005, 10:53am
hi iam in southampton i really wanted the eastman 515 but out of my range at the moment..iam going to deal with amc in brighton they seem a very good company..i guess the 2 models i mentioned is my budget.. so do i need a flamed back for a extra £30?i really want a mandolin now but half of me's thinking hold out till i have the cash for the eastman.
aj
grandmainger
May-16-2005, 12:05pm
hi iam in southampton i really wanted the eastman 515 but out of my range at the moment..iam going to deal with amc in brighton they seem a very good company..i guess the 2 models i mentioned is my budget.. so do i need a flamed back for a extra £30?i really want a mandolin now but half of me's thinking hold out till i have the cash for the eastman.
aj
Never played and Eastman, so I can't advise, but from the buzz around here, I'd say it's probably a good choice.
Also, and as they always recommend, get the best you can afford.
I'd still take a train/coach/drive to brighton... The AMC is a very pleasant place to get to pick loads of mandos, and make your mind up on what sound you want etc.
Cheers,
Germain
prayerbone
May-16-2005, 12:42pm
hi i just mentioned in a new thread, cause iam so excited lol ordered the eastman 515..thought it be the best thing in the long run..seems better then spending 230 now and then losing lots on it,when the eastman was 350 more.. bit of a stretch but i put a few things in a row to get it..aj
Eric F.
May-16-2005, 12:46pm
Probably a very good choice. For the record, the difference between the Kentucky 340 and 380 IS significant. The 340 has a laminated back while the 380 is all solid wood and should be a much better instrument. But congratulations on your purchase. Enjoy!
You're probably way glad you went the extra mile (or kilometer, or whatever) I'll have to check out the "new thread".
Eric F.
May-16-2005, 1:18pm
Yes, it is much better, I think, to stretch and get something that will keep you happy for longer.