Some new guy questions

[DonaldE911]

I've been lurking here for a while.... what a great place you have here.

I have wanted to play the mando for quite a while now, but never had the funds to do so. I have never played a string instr. but did play the sax for many years (although I have not touched it in almost as many years) and can still read music a little.

I already know I will start with instruction books and videos for a while and move on to a real teacher. Thats the basic way I learned the sax and I have a decent ear.

Motivation wont be an issue as I have a 7 year old son that is learning the Guitar right now. He's actually pretty good with that and the piano... lucky little guy can play by ear much better than I can.

My primary question has to do with equipment.... I have a hard budget of $500 - $550 and more saving is not an option. I know that you get what you pay for in almost any situation. I don't want something I will outgrow quickly.

I have read alot here (almost every post) and it would seem that a used MK would be a safe option for a while. I have been checking the classified adds here as there is a better chance of getting a good unit that someone has used lovingly and outgrown. I love ebay, but a used unit there could have been a baseball bat stand-in.

I know that an A would be a better choice, but I simply like the look of the F and feel that if I don't like to look at it I probably wont want to give it the time I need to learn to play. I realize I will loose some quality for my style choice.

Is my plan a sound one? I know everyone started somewhere so are there any opinions on my equipment choice or just advice from someone that has been where I am going?

Thanks for taking the time to read this long post. In the future I will keep them short and to the point.

[JiminRussia]

What kind of music are you talking about? Bluegrass? Celtic? Classical? Jazz? Blues? Unfortunately, there is no mando for all seasons, so you'll first have to decide on a genre of music. This will determine more than most other factors what trype of mandolin you should be looking for. If it's bluegrass you can jump right into the debate that has been going on here since, well since forever about whether a quality A style or a less expensive F style would be the best or you. As far as your budget goes, probably the least expensive genre would be classical. There are some fantastic bowl backs out there that go for just a song. For Celtic music there are a bunch of lower priced mandolins that would suit a beginner for several seasons. For Jazz, well I guess that I just don't understand that form at all, so to my ear it doesn't matter what mandolin you play all of those demented ninths, herniated sevenths and strangulated fifth chords on. All o this probably doesn't help you a whole lot, but stick around and join in on some of the discussions, you'll learn a lot or at least get a lot of oppinions around this forum.

[DonaldE911]

I had planned on answering that question in my original post.... can't remember everything I guess. Sorry about that.

Bluegrass

Thanks for your response.

[Kbone]

There's some good deals on the classifieds - some F style for about 1,000 from some small builders , also a Flatiron a style for $800..

[Bob DeVellis]

If it has to work for bluegrass and it has to be an F-style and it has to be under $550, then I think your plan is reasonable. It might be worth keeping an eye out for a used Kentucky, as well, especially if you can find an older one made in Korea or, better still, Japan. The last, in an F-style might come in under your $550 ceiling, but they don't pop up too often.

[John Zimm]

If you play several of them you should be able to find a decent MK for that price range. I've got a Firefly Flame and I love it, but it cost a little more than $550. MK has several models though that will fall into your price range. Just be sure to check them out pretty carefully if you can.

Good luck starting out. The mandolin is pretty addictive, probably because there is no instrument sweeter to the ear than the mandolin.

-John.

[M. Hollen]

I've seen the Morgan Monroe MMS-2's running at $550 or right around there. #I can appreciate "scroll envy" as I suffered from it myself starting out. #I have since come to regret it and wished I had gotten a better A style with f holes. #Having said that, there is something to eye appeal. #You might want to also consider playing several different kinds and see which feels better to you. #Even if it looks good, if it doesn't have a good feel when playing, you probably won't want to mess with it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[John Zimm]

I can second what M Hollen wrote, I have been suffering from a-style envy lately and would like to get a nice one in the future. I really covet the Absaroka and the A9...

-John.

[neal]

Ok, if you can live without the scroll look at Kentucky KM-350s or the KM-380s. #They have the solid, carved back and sides, F-holes, the 340s is cheaper yet, but the back and sides are laminate. #Heard good reviews here on those 2. #I did see a Morgan Monroe "phantom of the opry" model on ebay for 500, it's got a scroll.

Something to consider, you're learning a brand new instrument, find something with good playability, low action, comfortable accurate fretboard, good intonation and adjustability. #Don't worry too much about the sound, because at this point I'm guessing that you'd be hard put to tell much of a difference. #If you have 550 to spend, go a little lower, say 295 for a good A style as suggested above, spend 50 or so for a good setup by a QUALIFIED luthier, then buy a strap, case, couple sets of strings, variety of picks, a few books, DVD or VHS or 2, and learn what you like. #Believe me, all of us has made the first mistakes (and 2nd,3rd....)of learning what we like.

[jiffyfeet]

My opinion is that your plan is not reasonable unless you can get rid of at least one of your conditions. #Of course you don't want something you will outgrow quickly, especially when money is an issue. #Taking that into consideration, why on earth would you want an F style mando? #With your budget at $550, you are already coming in on the low end, so why throw money away on something as trivial as the scroll? #

I think scrolls are pretty too, but I play for the music, not to look cool. #I will get an F when I can afford to spend over $2k. If you buy a cheap F style, I would be prepared to want a new mando within 6 months or less. Just my opinion of course.

[futrconslr]

I'm telling you the A doesnt sound like the F. I dont care what people keep saying. Its not the same sound.

[neal]

Here's one for 650. Made in Japan. #Bet they'd go less, a bit. Gruhn (http://www.gruhn.com/) It's at this website, if you simply must have a scroll, I love Japanese mandos. They did good work over there.

[sbarnes]

fender has an f style for your ballpark figure....
actually quite a bit higher list but musicians friend has them for about your figure.....
not bad - the last one i played in a store needed a set up though - buzzing strings on certain notes....

it should do quite nicely until you really decide if you want to play, and how much you want to play and how much you can spend later.....

[Moose]

After "scanning" this thread I believe you "get the idea" - I absolutely agree with the majority of suggestions. This MANDO CAFE(classified) is an excellent source for good/reasonable$$/well-taken-care-of mandos AND I believe most of the folks on here appreciate and understand where you're coming from(and I have absolutely NO financial interest!!)- I would be "leery" of the general music store(s) - the're there to turn a profit -as well it should be. But for the price range you're speaking of - and THAT IS a "resonable" range - you should be able to find a decent instrument - AND.., if you decide to "upgrade" later.., well.., you can get most or perhaps ALL your investment back. Best of luck. Continue to ask questions here... We'll help ya'- Moose. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[PCypert]

Yeah,
What everyone else has said. If you must by a f style mando (which people don't fully recommend) buy used on the cafe. Someone will probably have already set up the instrument for you, you'll get back what you put into it, and the biggest plus of all...you'll be helping fund someone else's MAS.
Paul

[DonaldE911]

Thank you everyone for your response.

I'll be keeping my eyes on the class ads here and see if anything good turns up.

One of the reasons for the hard budget is I am selling off my "old" hobby (RC Racing) stuff and thats about what I will get for my trucks and radio gear. I can get away with that without any questioning from my wife since it doesn't cost anything.

I can get all the books,cd's,strings,picks ect out of my education budget without a problem. Well it says "education budget" on the computer http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif and that makes it okay. The "Hobby" money is no longer in the budget until after the new house gets built. I guess you can justify cuttting fun, but not education.

Thanks again

[jiffyfeet]

I'm telling you the A doesnt sound like the F. #I dont care what people keep saying. #Its not the same sound.
I don't know if it's been discussed a lot around here before or what, but you're the first person I've ever heard say that. #I would lay $100 that you couldn't tell the difference between an A and an F blindfolded more than 5 out of 10 times.

Edit: I will give you this - my Johnson A doesn't sound like my friend's Flatiron F, that's for sure. Maybe this is the type of distinction you think you can hear?