little help

[storyoftheghost]

ive looked through countless beginner threads, and i have read most of the opinions, but i am just in love with an F style...i founnd this one online, and just wondering what you guys think...

http://www.rondomusic.net/am1.html

its also got a built in pickup.

thanks a bunch

[Coy Wylie]

I've not heard of this one before. For just a few dollars more you can pick up a used Michael Kelly or something similar from the classifieds.

[mandoman15]

i'f you've got your heart set on an f style, go for it it's not a bad move to make, but if i had the chance to start over again and had to buy my first mando, i'd have saved up a bit more, get on your computer and hold out for something at the classifieds...you'll find once you've become addicted to mandolins that you'll spend alot of your free time drooling over some of the stuff there, so start early and hold out for a nice "a" style...they don't have a scroll, but your buck will go alot further in the line of quality of craftsmanship and tone/sound. as for brand names, they all have there ups and downs, and dont shy away from the vintage/used stuff...
good luck, and don't worry if your first mando isn't all you hoped for, you'll probbably buy several more in your day http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[mandoman15]

oh and a nice loar is always a good choice, they were made way back in the day at some place called kalamazoo they're all right, good intrument to learn on...ask around...

[JEStanek]

Most of the brands of mandos made in Korea come from only one or two factories. at that price it is probably similar to the low end MKs or the budget Morgan Monroe Bean Blossom line. It's probably an OK starter mando for the price. It looks remarkably like the Bean Blossom. You're not getting much flame. It's heavy on the lacquer, like my higher end Morgan Monroe, for that matter. If you do decide to get this I'm sure it will service you for a couple of year and then be a good festival beater.

Also, once it comes get a shop to set it up (adjust bridge and nut, and probably put better strings on it). A properly set up Johnson plays better than a poorly set up Gibson (well, that might be a bit of a stretch). A good set up should run between $0-100 bucks and take a day or two.

People will tell you for the money the best place to start (and keep and love) is a Mid Mo. You may be able to get a better A style even in an Eastman if you want the bluegrass sound from their 505 model.

Have fun and whatever you get be sure its set up properly! If you are in West Chester PA the folks at Bucks County Folk Music a little above Doylestown could do a fine job.

Jamie (in Pottstown)

[storyoftheghost]

Most of the brands of mandos made in Korea come from only one or two factories. #at that price it is probably similar to the low end MKs or the budget Morgan Monroe Bean Blossom line. #It's probably an OK starter mando for the price. #It looks remarkably like the Bean Blossom. #You're not getting much flame. #It's heavy on the lacquer, like my higher end Morgan Monroe, for that matter. #If you do decide to get this I'm sure it will service you for a couple of year and then be a good festival beater.

Also, once it comes get a shop to set it up (adjust bridge and nut, and probably put better strings on it). #A properly set up Johnson plays better than a poorly set up Gibson (well, that might be a bit of a stretch). #A good set up should run between $0-100 bucks and take a day or two.

People will tell you for the money the best place to start (and keep and love) is a Mid Mo. #You may be able to get a better A style even in an Eastman if you want the bluegrass sound from their 505 model.

Have fun and whatever you get be sure its set up properly! #If you are in West Chester PA the folks at Bucks County Folk Music a little above Doylestown could do a fine job. #

Jamie (in Pottstown)
thanks a lot jamie...im thinkin i get this one and get it set up there..good deal, im pretty pumped!!

[olgraypat]

Hope I'm not too late here....but my advice, also from a beginner, is don't do it. I've tried lots of new things in my life and almost always find that getting good quality is a must. You don't have to invest a whole lot more to get likely much better quality, and trust me, a good A style will give you a lot more satisfaction than a cruddy F. I know, I know those scrolls are impressive looking, but put your money into good wood and good construction. Reminds me of when I started fly-fishing....bought a cheapo rod, and the experince didn't resemble fly-fishing at all, it was just standing in the stream with a thing that resembled a fly rod. A few dollars more for a good rod made all the difference of roller skating versus driving a BMW. So my .02 is you don't have to invest an arm and a leg, but don't buy a cheapo F. If you've got to buy a cheapo, buy an A.

However, if you've already bought it by now, congratulations and I hope you enjoy it more that I did my Rogue A. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif