New to mandolins

[Eagles1986]

Hi everyone i'm new to the boards and the mandolin. I'm 17 years old i've been playing guitar for 4 years and i've had a desire to play the mandolin for a while now. I'm really into Country rock and bluegrass music. I've been searching with my parents for a good starter mandolin and so far the washburn M1SDL has been recommended to me. It's priced at $499.00. I was just wondering what anyone would reccommend to start on. The other thing is that i'm lefthanded and they have to order extra parts to convert it for me. Well thanks a bunch, I can't wait to start learning.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif Kevin

[fatt-dad]

Not knowing where you live, I would still contact Guitar Works in Richmond, Virginia and ask about having one of their A-style mandolins converted to a lefty. It would be about $300.00 and an all solid wood instrument (if you spring for the $299.00 version. I have played them and they are pretty nice. Also, the owner of this shop has been around a while and a good guy.

http://www.guitarworksinc.com/store....&page=1 (http://www.guitarworksinc.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=16291&cat=253&page=1)


f-d

[mandoJeremy]

The problem, in my opinion, in having one "converted" is that the tone bars are not going to be placed where they need to be as a "normal" mando would have. Try to find someone that would build you a mando lefty. Of course, if you are just learning you can "convert" one to see if you like it before you custom order one.

[August Watters]

In addition to "left-handed" and "right-handed" mandolins, there are also symmetrical mandolins -- not all A-styles are built with asymmetrical bracing. To get the best results, be sure the mandolin you're buying is built symmetrically -- just look inside with mirrors and make sure it's the same on one side as the other. Then it's no big deal to reverse the nut and bridge.

August Watters
http://www.galleryofstrings.com

[pathfinder]

Hi Eagles1986, and welcome to the Cafe! #So you're a lefty wishing to learn bluegrass mandolin. #I'm from Northern Ontario so I know where your hometown is (Tillsonburg). #

I get the impression you haven't actually started playing mando yet. #If so, what I'd recommend is this: use your computer to check out two reputable music stores on their internet websites, and which are within a reasonable driving/shipping distance from you. #The two stores I'm going to recommend each carry a good selection of mandos. #See what they've got in the way of new and used 'A' style mandos and 'F' style mandos. #Call each store or send them an email, outlining your budget and your need for a left-handed instument , and see what they've got in stock, or can order in, and at what price. #Then it's a matter of either getting them to ship to you, or getting your folks to take you to see how these instruments sound (which, in your case, I'd strongly recommend)! #

If you schedule an onsite visit, don't worry about not being able to play or play well. #That's what the sales personnel are for, to demonstrate how each mando sounds and should be set up (another critical factor in making a purchase). #The two stores I'm recommending each have a great staff of luthiers for doing proper set-up work. # #

One such store is the Twelfth Fret in Toronto, a two hour drive east on Hwy 401. #You can check them out at www.12fret.com. #

The other is Elderly Instruments in Lansing Michigan, a three hour drive via Hwy 403 to Sarnia (one hour) crossing over at Port Huron, and west to Lansing (two hours). #Elderly's website is www.elderly.com.

Both websites are very easy to navigate. #I've done business with both but don't have a financial interest in either. #I just hope you get one you like.

I note that a Washburn M1SDL has been recommended to you for $499.00 plus undisclosed modification costs. #Now that you're on the Cafe, you'll soon realize that it's important to distinguish between Canadian dollars and U.S. dollars. #The American dollar is generally the currency quoted on the Cafe, so if your quoted price was in Canadian funds, it would be roughly equal to $375 U.S. #The exchange rate these days hovers around 1.33%, meaning that it takes $1.33 Canadian to buy yourself $1.00 U.S.

Hope this helps, and good luck. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Eagles1986]

Thanks for all your replies. I went to elderly instruments and I discovered that they have a few left handed mandolins. Heres a link to what I found.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/MK2LH-TBS.

Peace,

Kevin

[Eagles1986]

ooops i forgot part of the link lol.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/MK2LH-TBS.htm

ok there now it should work lol.


Peace,

Kevin

[pathfinder]

MK's are popular and, at $539 US, it converts to roughly $725 Canadian funds. #But keep one extra detail in mind. #If you travel to Lansing to check it out and find that you like it, you'll pay 6% Michigan state tax if you buy it at the store. #Then Canada Customs will ding you at the border and charge you 8% Ontario sales tax and 7% federal Goods and Services tax. All told, you'll pay 21% tax on your $725 mandolin (or $875 total cost) for hauling it back across into Canada. #

The alternative is to get Elderly to ship it 300 kilometers to you. #You'll have to wait 3-4 days to take delivery but, since you've played it and it's now a mail-order transaction, you'll be exempt from paying Michigan's 6% state sales tax ($43 Canadian).#

Many Cafe members speak well of MK's, so maybe you'll want to save yourself the drive to Lansing and just call Elderly, order it and have it shipped. #Check with them first on their refund policy, because you may have to pay return shipping if you decide you don't like it. #FWIW. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif