New Mandolin Help

[sweetshoes18]

I am very interested in the mandolin instrument and I have decoided to buy one to learn with. I am an experianced guitar player so I know that normaly the higher the prices, the better the quality (not always) but I have no idea what to look for when it comes to mandolins. I have never played a nice one or a bad one to compare it to others. What are some mandolins a should check out?

I have heard the DEAN F style mandolin and the Samick Greg Benitt mandolin (F) are very nice, but thats taking the advice from a guitar player.

any suggestions?



PS. there are no stores around here to look at them so I might have to buy online directly from a store... (I live in the springfield area of MA.)

[John Flynn]

The Dean the Samick are both entry-level mandolins. If you really get into the instrument, you will want an upgrade in about a year, but they are fine to learn on and you can keep them as "beaters" after you get a good one. Four key points are: 1) If you are budget challenged, A styles are much better buys than Fs. Used mandos are much better buys than new. Check out the Cafe classifieds on this site. 2)Try before you buy if you can. Go with one that sounds and plays good to you. Trust yourself. 3) If you can't do that, buy from a place that has a 100% money-back guarantee or an approval period. 4) Take it immediately to a luthier you trust. Have him check it over and pay for him make any set up adjustments required. Setup is very important on mandolins, I think more so than guitar.

I'd look at the lower priced Kentucky's and don't feel compelled to get an F (that's odd coming from me). You're just seeing if it fits right now.

The other thing I would suggest is that you call David Nichols at Custom Pearl Inlay (http://www.custompearlinlay.com) and order his Learning the mandolin DVD. It's geared towards people like yourself (and me) that have been playing the guitar. It was the catalyst that got me into this thing. I think it's about 20 bucks and well worth it.

In looking for a mandolin look for a solid top (as you would a guitar) at the minimum. If you get into it you'll eventually upgrade (just like the guitar) and you'll have a second instrument you can use as a beater.

The mandolin is addictive. I sold three Martins and my original Eastman mandolin to pay for the mandolin I bought. It was worth it.

[sweetshoes18]

You sold three martins for a mandolin!? You could get yourself killed in the guitar community if someone found out http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif


Anyways, Im ganna check out some used mandolins instead of buying a new one. It seems much more valid that way. Im also going to order that DVD you told me about

Thanks so much for the help guys!

[sweetshoes18]

By the way, I forgot to mention I can not spend over 300 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Im on a budget and Im not selling my martin (haha DiegoMoon) but I just might sell my gibson (I have a 1962 gibson Melody Maker if anyone is interested)

So on that budget, what used mandolins (brands) should I be looking at?

[otterly2k]

sweetshoes... there's a nice little music store in Northampton, MA (Downtown Sounds). #Last time I was there, they had Mid-Missouri mandos (very plain looking but great quality, and very good value for the price) and I think a couple of others. #Would be WELL worth your time to make the trip up there to try out whatever they have... it's less than an hour away and a fun place to visit.

Probably you should call first and see what mandos they have in stock. #Here's their website.
link (http://www.downtownsounds.com/Downtown_Sounds_Home.htm)

ps-- I just saw that you're are thinking of selling a Gibson Melody Maker to finance this... if so, this store deals in used instruments and might take a trade or partial trade... I don't know, but was just reading about it on their website.

Sweetshoes, did I mention I still have four other Martin guitars, a few Gibsons, Taylors, etc? I had GAS before I had MAS. I will admit it was easier to accumulate high end guitars than it is to buy high end Mandolins. The guitars seem to be of little consequence anymore as I find myself playing the mandolin 90% of time on stage and probably 99% of the time off stage. Maybe the banjos will be next to go. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[strangechick]

Hi Sweetshoes,

I'm the other newbie. I joined yesterday so I can't give you any advice except to say that the people here seem very willing to help. You are way ahead of me in that you already play guitar. My husband is a full-time musician. He just bought a lot of guitars from someone that has a bit of a gambling problem and had just returned from Vegas and, well, you can probably figure out what happened there.

It was the two Takamines (not the very top of the line but well up there) and the De Armond that made him buy the lot. A mandolin was part of the deal and since I have always told him I wanted to learn to play one he is giving the mandolin to me. I'm sure if I told him you had a 1962 Gibson Melody Maker he'd be on top of me to contact you like a terrier with a cornered rat because he has one that used to be one of his favorite guitars until he played it so much it need some serious restoration work.

If you can work out some other way to purchace a mandolin I'd keep the guitar because someday you might look back and wish you had kept it, and if you store it decently, it will only go up in value.

Sara

[Eric F.]

There's a Mid-Mo in the classifieds here for $300. You will not do better at that price.

[otterly2k]

ditto what Eric said.

[sweetshoes18]

lol but its so plainnnnn (F's look so cool) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Eric F.]

Yep, all you get with a Mid-Mo is a great instrument you can keep forever. No fancy scroll or sunburst, no plywood, no thin tone, no tinniness. ... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[sweetshoes18]

lol shux, is there an inbetween mandolin i could buy, looks and tone? lol

[sweetshoes18]

What about the Bean Blossom F Style Mandolin?

Or any of the Kentucky Mandolins?

[ab4usa]

Tony,

Like guitars, solid wood sounds a lot better than plywood. Like guitars, the ones made here are usually more expensive and sound better. Like guitars, well made mandolins are easier to play than junk. If you take to the mandolin, you'll be buying anther in a year or so anyway. Buy a decent A style that you can enjoy learning on and can keep for a travel/beach/camping instrument. If you get hooked, then you'll want to spend some much bigger bucks for a really good F style.

[sweetshoes18]

Yea that makes alot of sense but what Brands/Modles of A styles should I be looking at? Im keeping that Mid-mo in mind (even though it is very very very very very.... plain), well in the back of my mind. If that is my best option then I guess I will take advatage of it. I know nothing about mandolin, so I am just trying to keep an open mind about what other options are out there.

[ron d.]

I would suggest looking thru the archive because many others haved asked this same question. If you don't like the mid-mo then consider spending some more for an a-model, around a grand or so used. If you can afford it, you may as well get something you really like that plays well. Also consider what style of music you might be playing as this is also a factor in the style of mando to get (f-holes or oval hole etc.) Once again, there is a ton of info on the message board so spend some time doing some research and you will get a good idea of the options out there (which are many!) Ron