Need advice on buying 1st Mandolin

[cam]

After playing guitar for 25 years I'm thinking of giving the mandolin a shot. I'm just looking for a decent playable instrument to see if it's the right thing for me, something that would do for the first couple of years learning. What are the Fender models like, as they are reasonably priced?

[John Flynn]

Personally, I think there are better choices in the same price range as the Fenders. I recommend looking at the Kentuckys. Just MHO.

[craig]

cam,

there ya go!! still like to hear some of your guitar work, though.

[beachbum]

I bought a Michael Kelly Evolution and love it. There is a rather lengthy thread discussing the MKs. Just do a search. Good luck!

[earthsave]

To get you started you could get a solid top A for just over $200 new or even cheaper used. I'd say get you an A-model starting out. A scroll at this level offers a nice place to hang a strap, but it cost you at least $150 extra.

The key at this price is to buy from a reputable dealer that will insure it is setup properly and if it something goes wrong you can send it back. Some will even let you do trade ups.

http://www.elderly.com
http://www.fqms.com
http://www.janetdavismusic.com
http://www.pensonstringwerks.com

Most other dealers listed on this site are a safe bet. These are just the ones I bought from.

http:/www.geocities.com/earthsave

[Jeff_Stallard]

Cam, I have an Epiphone MM-30 that I'm looking to part with. It has nice, light action, and it's in very good shape, but I never play it anymore. The tone is decent, but it lacks volume. Let me know if you're interested.

[cam]

Thanks for the advice and offers. I'm afraid I'm stuck here in Germany though, and will just have to look for the best I can find here that I can afford.

[Jeff_Stallard]

From what I hear, Bluegrass style mandos are hard to come by over there, but you can get a Romanian flat-back from Troubadour (UK) for ~100 pounds (whatever that translates to in Euros...). I've heard very good things about them. I forget the URL, but do a search for "Troubadour mandolin" and you'll find it easily. There's also Musikalia; they have fairly inexpensive items that, I hear, are pretty nice. A Google search will give you the URL.

If you get frustrated learning the mando, just remember...du kanst wenn du willst!

[sbarnes]

i have the fender A (electric) not the mandocaster just looks like a regular A but w/pickup......
it's ok for the money - musicians friend has them for $200 ballpark....it's ok....plenty good enough to learn with....
i plan on keeping mine even when i upgrade.....

the intonation is a little iffy on it in places - a good adjustment might help that - the 1st adjustment helped a lot...

all in all - i like it - but i needed to amp it.....they also offer one that looks just like mine w/no pickup for a little less money....

[Bowzette]

Cam, i don't know how much you had in mind to spend. Most people will want to spend the least amount they can for the first mandolin to see if they realy want to invest the time learning to play it. Another approach, especially if you already play an instrument, is to spend as much as you can (within some degree of sanity) and get an instrument you really enjoy playing and look forward to practicing and learning with. If you want to play bluegrass you will need and arch top with "f" holes. Arched tops cost a lot more than flat tops-just like guitars i assume. You can get a used Gibson A-9 for $850 and have a great BG instrument. If you want a well blanced mandolin for different styles you can add Breedlove Quartz and Rigel Natural to the list in the same price range. If you want just to play a nice sounding mandolin, or play Celtic or Old Time a Mid-Mo or Flatiron Cadet can be bought for $350. They are great mandolins, but not for bluegrass. In conclusion, buy used, and buy and "A" style mandolin, and buy as much mandolin as you can afford at $1,000 or less.

[craig]

cam,

in the 1800-2000 Euro range there are some real nice mandolins out of the Czech Republic. nice excuse to drive up to Prague, too! i've never played any of them, but they seem to have a good reputation and good craftsmanship. the names that come to mind are: Lebeda, Holoubek, Flatbush, Capek and Janish. you might want to check out the "Builders" link from the frontpage. i'd bet there are a few in Germany, too . . . and, yep, there are. i just checked. here's an example: http://www.streichholz-schachtel.de/

good luck!!

[Bowzette]

can, craig has a great idea there. i still suggest buying an "A" model and buying something you really like for a first mandolin.

[Jingles]

Since you've been playing guitar for awhile, I think mandolin will be a nice transition. Take your budget now and triple or quadruple it. Mandoln is addicting http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif and it won't be long before you outgrow your starter. In fact, I got a nice mandolin to start off with and now I'm shopping around for a cheapo to drag to the beach, practice in the car, etc. But it's the chicken and the egg really. What came first, my love for mandolin or my love for MY mandolin? Sorry if I'm not making too much sense. Just try some mandolins out and get the one that calls out to you, "take me home".

[MrSrubas]

My first was a 200 dollar Fender. Neck twisted real bad. I am pretty good about moisture control too. Then I got a 150 dollar Maya (I had never heard of them, but it sounded great) until the top started to cave in. After that I bought a real nice Weber, I was just fed-up with cheap ones. Even if you are a beginner, you still only get what you pay for. If I did it again I would get something (moderately) good right off the start.

[green_leaf]

I'll add my voice to those saying get the best you can afford right from the start. You'll progress much faster, have much more fun, and put off the inevitable day when you go shopping for a new one! Even if you don't take to mando, they hold their value pretty well these days, so you can get most of your money back out of it if you want to, and consider the rest of it "rent". Good luck!

Will

[Bowzette]

the last three post express what i was trying to say.

[Dioptase]

A Mid Missouri is a nice starter instrument that you'll probably find yourself wanting to keep even after you upgrade. And true, it's not gonna cut it for playing bluegrass with a band. But I see no reason why it's not a perfectly good instrument for practicing bluegrass along with records until you're ready to play with others.
Micah