Help Buying a Mandolin.

[Down2me]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif Hi Everyone. I'm interested in buying a mandolin. The Kelly dragonfly has caught my eye and I'm looking for some feedback on the Kelly Brand. I have $1000 to invest and would like to he what the pro's and con's are on this brand. Do you have a favorite mandolin?, that is a fine instrument and good investment? Thanks to all who help.

[harmonist34]

Everyone on here is typically glad to help, but I would respectfully suggest that you consider a search for "Michael Kelly" and peruse the numerous threads related to all facets of that brand's mandos. If your specific questions have not been answered by that search, I would expect that you'll find a number of people who will gladly offer insight.

Andy

[Greg H.]

Just so it's been said (and it will be again), at that price range you'll get a better instrument with an A model rather then an F model (i.e. the A model is w/o the curls and points on the body). It may not look as fancy but the sound is likely to be significantly better.
That said, if you really want an F model, be sure you play it first. You can get good ones, but there are a lot of real dogs out there as well so you want to be sure what you're getting.

[stevem]

Hi and welcome to the Cafe! #Reviews on Michael Kelly's are generally mixed--some sound better than others. Some are very happy with them and others are not. #They're an import from the pacific rim. #The imports with probably the best overall reputation right now for consistent sound and quality are Eastmans. #For around $1000 you can get some great American made, solid wood mando's as well. As far as looks go, the more ornate and fancy a mando looks, the more expensive it gets. For $1000, Michael Kelly makes some good lookers, but they may not stack up to the quality of construction of some of the American instruments (or Eastmans).

Buying a used mandolin isn't a bad way to go to get a good value, if you know what you're getting. #Gibson A-9's and Flatiron Performer A's and few options by Weber are some pretty standard, quality, bigger company options. (You could probably get a decent new Weber for around $1000).#There's many smaller American builders that also build sweet mandos in your price range--but I'm not familiar enough with any to recommend them (though others here are).

I do have a financial interest in recommending a Flatiron as I have one for sale in the classifieds, so take my advice with a grain of salt and listen to others. #Wait a day or 2 and this post will likely fill up with recommendations from some very knowledgeable folk.

Happy hunting! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[John Rosett]

you might want to check out the capek basic A style in the classifieds. it seems like a really good deal for $750. i played an F style capek at a jam a couple of years ago, and it was a nice mandolin.
john

[mandobando]

I have a dragonfly that is great. It is loud, great chop, and easy to play. That being said, I have played some that are totally the opposite. It is a case by case thing I guess. I will recommend a good setup whenever you buy whatever you buy. David Harvey tweaked mine a bit and made it sound 3 times better. I am about to place an order with a small builder very soon and couldn't be more exited. I will never get rid of the MK though. The reason I am getting a new mando is to have something to hopefully pass on to my kids with a little value, plus my MK is black and I can't stand that. Good Luck.

[Knowlesy]

I bought a dragonfly as I HAD to have an F style and then I realised it wasn't a patch on my A style. I'd recommend getting a good A.

[meskalito]

Someone needs to write a guide to buying a new mandolin, broken down into various price ranges (cough...Mark...cough). It would need to be as objective as possible, critical but fair. Then, we could sticky it to the top of the board and avoid getting these same threads started over and over.

[Frank Russell]

If you choose to obey the advice of a good A style, there are some good Flatirons here on the Classifieds. If you just have to have an F, I would recommend an Eastman 515. I just sold mine to finance another purchase, but I got it for $840 at Buffalo Bros, and it was better than the Michael Kellys that I've owned by far. No comparison in workmanship, playability, or tone. Nothing against MKs or their owners, but the Eastmans I've played had more going for them. If you can invest a bit more, there's always Weber Gallatins and Bitterroots used for $1200 to $1500 or so. Check out Charles Johnson's Mandolin World Headquarters, he's got some. Good luck, Frank.

[stevem]

Someone needs to write a guide to buying a new mandolin, broken down into various price ranges (cough...Mark...cough). #It would need to be as objective as possible, critical but fair. #Then, we could sticky it to the top of the board and avoid getting these same threads started over and over.
A good idea, but it would be impossible to make everyone happy with the results as we tend to have some pretty varied opinions. #I think these types of threads are good precisely because they give such varied opinions. #Links to old threads seems like a better way to go. #Besides, alot of us like giving our opinions over and over--makes me feel like I'm useful in some small way to the world.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Here are links to 2 recent threads on buying a mandolin:

http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=25051 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=25051)

http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....t=24676 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=24676)

[FlawLaw]

Here is my inexpert opinion...Granted I have not played the mandolin as long as the bass, but this advice holds well even in the context of the bass guitar (although may not with the upright, but I am getting off point and rambling). I recommend getting a decent mandolin that will not defeat you at every turn. #I can't tell you about the MK. #I have owned one in the past and was not particularly impressed and got rid of it pretty soon after getting it. I think as a newbie, getting a good used A style is the best way to go and with a $1,000.00 in hand you can get a lot. #As said previously you can get more mandolin for the price with an A and if you find that after a year or so mandolin is not for you, a good A style mandolin will be easier to sell and will hold its value. Further, at first you won't even be able to tell the difference between the sound. #I know that people who play bluegrass often love the F style, but I see more and more A style mandolins at bluegrass jams that I attend (usually as a bassist). #Besides, even if you are a big F style mandolin fan, the A style mandolin grows on you and you may even find that you prefer the simple elegance of an A style mandolin. #I know I now prefer the A style oval hole mandolin. #There is the added factor of buying used, in that a used mandolin often has a few dings and finish checks,etc. that won't cause you to scream at yourself if you cause another ding and sometimes that mandolin has already "opened up" a bit and sounds good. #Ultimately, I think going with a smaller builder is the the most satisfying way to purchase any instrument, including a mandolin, but not for the first instrument because you will have to wait to have the mandolin built. #I have had two instruments (both electric basses) built for me by small builders and the satisfaction is really second to none. But in both cases I had to wait a long time... Just my two cents. Happy weekend (for me weekends are the beginning of the work week - being a pastor and all) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I strongly suggest a used instrument, and there's a Rigel A-natural for $950 in the classifieds. If you don't need amplification, you should seriously lookt at that one.

I doubt that you'd every find a better mandolin for the same money. Certainly not a new one.