In praise of cheap mandolins

[John Eichenberger]

Mine's a "Montana," made in Korea. No select maple or sunburst finish; niether bell-toned trebles nor fat round bottoms. But the sound of a mandolin under my fingers? That's sweet. I like its sustain. It stays in tune. But most of all -- without cheap mandolins, I wouldn't be playing at all.

[Steve Cantrell]

Nothing wrong with that. Enjoy it.

[JEStanek]

I'm very glad you're happy with your mandolin. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't good enough. If you're playing it and it makes you happy its a great mandolin.

Jamie

[fatt-dad]

Here's the nice thing about my Montana - solid wood top (even though it's four piece), it'll handle the Bush Monel strings and it's become my summertime-at-the-beach favorite.

Here, Here for Montana!

f-d

[brunello97]

Nice theme for a discussion thread.

Mine is one of the oft-maligned-at-the-Mandolin-Cafe Portugese style mandolins made in Paracha, Mexico. Cedar top, and who knows what else wood. It plays great, sounds fine and was unmentionably cheap.

I have my Gibson in my lap as I am typing, but in the morning (as most mornings) I'll be playing the Paracha.

There is no accounting for taste as they say.

I'd love to hear more examples of the dear to the heart and ear (but not to the pocketbook) mandolins.

Mick

[catmandu2]

I have two Kentucky 380s and a Mid-Mo M-0: one for each floor and at work..

[gnelson651]

My first mandolin was a Morgan Monroe MMA-1. It played like butter with its nice low action, it sounded like a mandolon and it was a joy to just have something to play without breaking the bank.

When I practiced at home, I was none the wiser about what constituded a nice sounding mandolin, ignorance is bliss. But about eight months out from starting, I went to my first jam and had a chance to hear an old Gibson A that another member had. It was at that point, I realized I wanted something better sounding and MAS (Mandolin Acquition Syndrome) set in. It wasn't until a year later that I was able to afford an Eastman 805.

I know that some here poo-poo Eastmans, but I am satisfied with its sound and playabilty. Did it cure MAS? Of course not, there is no cure! I actually bought a Michele Kelly Legacy Deluxe from Musicians Friend last year for $299, I had to have a scroll. But I found that the MK I bought was not that great. It doesn't come close to the Eastman in tone or sound.

I guess I'll have to save some more to buy a REAL scroll model, like a Gibson, yes that's the ticket....

OK, WARNING: buying cheap mandolins leads to MAS!!!

... but enjoy what you have now. Its something you'll treasure regardless of what your next mandolin will be(and there will be others). I've kept my Morgan Monroe as a beater, I doubt I will ever sell my first love.

[Fliss]

I agree that Portuguese style mandolins are much under-rated. My first mandolin was one of these, and it stood me in good stead for many years. It still has a really good low action and a nice tone. These mandolins usually have solid wood tops, and can be had for a ridiculously low cost for what they are; they just don't seem to be fashionable.

Having said that, MAS has since kicked in and I now have a Garrison flat top and a 1902 De Meglio bowlback, so I am passing the Portuguese style mando on to someone else who will play it. I'm sure it will give them as good an introduction to mandolin playing as it gave me.

Fliss

[Santiago]

"Love the one you're with."

[farmerjones]

to repeat myself: it's 90% operator.

Does it take less player the more you spend on an ax? No.

Does it take more player the less you spend on an ax? ? ?

Happiness/Contentment has no monitary definition. It's just a decision. (way too deep for a fri morning) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

FJ

[biscuit]

I had a Rover A {$99.00} that was a great mandolin. Wish I still had it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[otterly2k]

just picked up a used Hondo pancake for $100 off the classifieds. It needs a little tweaking, but seems like a great travel mando or starter... and my plan is to fix it up and give it to a friend who has been wanting one but is low on cash. That is... if I don't decide to keep it for myself! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Bob Borzelleri]

I still got my first (and not expensive) mando; a Kentucky KM180S. Sounds way better now than it ever did in its early years.

[rsgars]

I really like the sound of the Johnson electric that I have. I just bought a Godin A8 and the first thought was to sell the Johnson. Now I am thinking I may try my hand at replacing the nut myself, try improving the action and keep it as a backup. The sound with JM-11 strings is pretty mellow. It is just a tad hard to play beacuse the action is high and it doesn't stay in tune very well.

[arbarnhart]

I have been pretty unabashed about praising mine - the Washburn M1SDL oval hole A. Search the net (or just search here) and you will find I am not alone and you will be hard pressed to find a complaint. They do a seriously good copy of a vintage A4 (but with an F headstock for some unknown reason) as far as size and shape; only the brace is different. Solid spruce carved top, maple back and sides. Only comes in solid colors (mine is grand piano black) and I have looked inside and know that's because they use really bland wood. #Sound is quite good. Keeps a tuning very well. It has a lifetime warranty. The truss rod wrench was included (not that you need it, but I know a lot of manufacturers don't include that). I hold a weekly blues jam (other attendees are guitar players) and I am whipping some mojo into it and learning to pull a lot of tone out of it. It is loud when you whoop it. Action is great and butter soft JazzMando JM11 strings make it seem even better. It cost me under $200 delivered, brand new. I would put it head to head with any oval A in a blind test.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e396/arbarnhart/washburn_m1SDL.jpg

[garyblanchard]

I own a Bean Blossom BFM-300 that I love. It is not loud in a jam, but the way I play, that's a plus. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif I use it mostly to add texture and color to recordings and as a rhythm instrument for a few songs in performances and it more than meets my needs. Of course, I am known as the King of Cheap Instruments, so I'm easily pleased. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Glad to see others are happy with the instrument they can afford to own. The joy of playing is what is important, in my mind.

[allenhopkins]

Doing a mandolin workshop at a weekend program for the Folk Music Society of NY City, a few years ago, and a lady in her 80's offered to sell me a cracked Strad-O-Lin for $25. Took her up on it, had the crack repaired, and have logged hundreds of hours on the Strad ever since, at jams, sing-arounds, nursing home programs, etc. etc. Whenever someone is looking for an inexpensive instrument, and that person doesn't worry about appearance, I recommend hunting up one of these dorky looking, but eminently playable, instruments. Don't think they've been made since the '50's; they almost always have checked finishes, and the "binding" is usually painted on, but they're surprisingly decent sounding. It's unusual when your instrument's case cost more than the mandolin inside, but hey, whatever works...

[jasona]

I'd rather play a Lonestar than nothing.

[caddy jim]

I play guitar mainly, but for area jam's and back porch pickin' my Johnson MA-100 works fine for me. No better than I play, thats okay. Hey, check out Gary Blanchard's "Brookfield Music" site. Really awesome!! Great sounds.

God Bless You All....John 3:16

[tomd935]

In renewing a 25 year lapsed love of mando and foolish sale of my pumpkin 1910 Gibson A. I bought a beat-up Stradolin for $75. and was surprised at how loud and clean it plays. Over the past year I have been more and more posessed by the oft mentioned MAS. Yesterday I went to look at a beautful 1914 A-3. Owned by a collector and left in the case for 13 years. Well it was tuned 1 1/2 steps high and the strings were dead as could be, and though she may open up with tender care and playing it was sooo sad. It has certainly tempered my mandolust and I'm sure I won't buy one without playing first, but most importantly I went home and played my Strado til midnite and loved it every minute.

[Daniel Nestlerode]

I'd rather play a Lonestar than nothing.
This is just me, but if all I had in the way of mandolins to play was a lousy mandolin-like object I would set aside mandolin for guitar. #

In fact, I did just this for two years that ended about 10 years ago. #I had an Epi MM-30 that sounded tinny (so piercing you could shave with it) and wouldn't stay in tune. #I took off the hardware and put it in a box for two years until I had the money to improve it enough to make it playable and less than painful to hear. ($140.00 for tuners, bridge, and Allen tailpiece)

Now, I won't arue with the premise of the post. #Cheap mandolins are not necessarily lousy. #And I am hopelessly captured by this little 8 stringer (and its larger siblings). #But if all I had to play was a lousy mandolin, I'd be playing guitar instead while I schemed, plotted, and planned for the acquisition of a decent mandolin. #

Daniel

[an uncalloused fingertip]

I started with a $200 Korean made A-style; the obscure brand I forget. Besides price, another nice thing about econo-lins (or other less costly instruments)is that you can go ahead and play them without being intimidated by the price/status of the instrument. Instead of thinking about the tool, you are using the tool and thinking about technique (and pieces you would like to learn). Sometimes if you buy a premium one, you will feel pressured to live up to the instrument. And it's the same if you buy an expensive fly rod or a pair of Air Jordan gym shoes.

A lot of guys on this site play instruments I would not feel comfortable even touching, given their price and history. The small (plucked string instrument) music shop I frequent, a few blocks from where I live, carries Weber mandolins, Taylor and Martin guitars, and a selection of more affordable instruments. A husband and wife were in one day when I arrived, and they were playing a pair of Weber mandolins. When they found out that I played the mandolin, the husband handed me a new, glossy F-Style Weber and asked me to play. This one instrument probably costed more than the sum total of all the other instruments I ever owned. I played it, but very gingerly and briefly.

For some styles of music, the less expensive mandolins NOT made with maple sides and solid, arched backs actually work better. Less cut, a softer(or even duller)tone, and more sustain, they sound less like a percussion instrument and more like a traditional plucked instrument.

[Fstpicker]

I'll add my name to the list for playing and owning an inexpensive mandolin. I just purchased a great sounding Kentucky 380S from off this forum, and I love it. The tone is rich and cutting and it has that almost "vintage" vib to it.

Jeff

[fatt-dad]

My other "cheap" mandoli is my Hondo, which I bought for about $40.00 on ebay. While it "decorates" my office it is a player and keeps me out of trouble or gives me inspiration several times a week. Not a bad use of "plywood".

f-d

[catmandu2]

...if all I had in the way of mandolins to play was a lousy mandolin-like object I would set aside mandolin for guitar. #
Me, I would rather play a $150 mandolin than a $150 guitar.

[garyblanchard]

I play guitar mainly, but for area jam's and back porch pickin' my Johnson MA-100 works fine for me. No better than I play, thats okay. Hey, check out Gary Blanchard's "Brookfield Music" site. Really awesome!! Great sounds.

God Bless You All....John 3:16
Caddy Jim-

Thanks so much for the kind words. It is always nice to get feedback...especially when it is positive. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[kww]

I am happy with my $285 Lark in the Morning tricordia. A bit of slop to the finish, but solid wood construction, decent intonation, and good tone. Stays in tune, and has a good dynamic range (one advantage of a twelve-string is that I can mute one string of a trio to reduce the volume a bit, and still get that mandolin sound from the other two).

It does frustrate me to see people act as if any mandolin costing under $8000 isn't worth discussion. It helps a bit that I live in a place where people believe that $285 is a small fortune, so I don't feel too lower class.

[arbarnhart]

It does frustrate me to see people act as if any mandolin costing under $8000 isn't worth discussion. It helps a bit that I live in a place where people believe that $285 is a small fortune, so I don't feel too lower class.
I know what you mean. I hate it when I am not taken seriously just because I didn't lay out serious cash for my instrument. I would love to have a vintage A2Z or one of the pretty new models with the quilted maple backs and striped sides; I understand the allure. I think a lot of times there is an assumption that I don't know better. When I started, it was because somebody gave my kids the dirt cheap Rogue A and I thought it was a fine mando until I went out and played some others. Then I thought different. One of the many I played was a Washburn A and it seemed nice but was affordable so I bought one. Now after playing it quite a bit I thought it was a fine mando and went and played some that were far more expensive and still think it is a fine sounding and playing mando.

[jim_n_virginia]

Although I now gig with a Gibson Fern I didn't start out with one. My first mandolin was a $169.00 Pawn shop Korean import that I played for a while until I saved a few bucks and traded it and some cash for a Mid-Mo. A year later I traded the Mid-Mo and some cash for a A Style Flatiron and so on and so on until I got what I wanted. It was a long slow crawl up the mandolin foodchain that took me about 6 years.

I think you just play what you got! The MOST important thing is that you are playing and progressing!

[brunello97]

I am happy with my $285 Lark in the Morning tricordia.....
KWW: The tricordia looks pretty interesting. Do you have any other images you can post? What does the back look like? The LITM image is rather grainy. Is it also from a Michoacan luthiery/mill?

Into the cheap and cheerful roster I toss an anonymous American two-point I enjoy playing. (Supertone?) The cant has flattened out almost completely (was it ever really there?) the sound hole looks like a Pringles mold, the finish is all but cracked off the back, but remarkably the action, intonation and tone remain very enjoyable.

It may be the stray-mutt personality of this mandolin or the fact that it has accompanied me on trips and musical satoris where my nicer instruments would fear to tread.

I like this thread. Is anyone else playing cheap on something outside the Asian import lines?

Mick

[kww]

Brunello97: The tricordia looks pretty interesting. Do you have any other images you can post? What does the back look like? The LITM image is rather grainy. Is it also from a Michoacan luthiery/mill?

All I know is that LITM says that it is from the same luthier that makes their Senorita mandolin. (http://www.larkinam.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_MAN035_A_Senorita+Mandolina_E_) I need to get batteries for the digital camera, but I plan on posting on the appropriate "post a picture of" thread someday soon. It's a two-piece rosewood back with uninteresting grain, stained to mahogany color. Same bland, uninteresting grain in the sides. Corian nut and saddle. Front appears to be a flat one-piece solid cedar. Since it is less than 8 inches wide, I don't think finding solid wood that size was a real problem, and if it is two pieces, the quality of grain match is way beyond the overall quality of the instrument. Looking at the edge of the soundhole, I don't see lamination. White and red plastic binding, cheap mosaic rosette. Two braces on front and back, aligned about 1" and 4" below the sound hole. Fingerboard is dark wood, don't know what kind.

[Lee Callicutt]

I have been pretty unabashed about praising mine - the Washburn M1SDL oval hole A.
I'm a believer myself, having had mine for 24 hours now. A thoroughly solid value for the money. So this is how MAS begins?

[John Flynn]

My first mandolin was a Lotus, made from all extra-select...Korean plywood. It buzzed and rattled on certain notes and I was lucky when it would stay in tune for a whole song, but I learned to play mando on it and had a blast with it. The entry-level PacRims today are much better quality that that one. Play 'em and enjoy!

[Mattg]

I think the Kentucky 380s is one of the best cheapies. I got one for $250, set it up correctly and it really plays nice and it is loud and thick. I take it on business travel so I don't get lonely.

I referbed my sister-in-law's portugese mando that her grandfather used to play. It sounds nice and is very easy to play. It makes her cry when I play it for her but I'm not sure if it's for sentamental reasons or not. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Martin Jonas]

I like this thread. Is anyone else playing cheap on something outside the Asian import lines?
Going for vintage instruments outside the big names, there are loads of mandokin going for little money, if you know how to spot them.

When these instruments were new, there was a huge price range, but as they have little name recognition now, they all get lumped into one default price, anywhere between $100 and $200 for a playable instrument, with variations beign more down to chance than to inherent merit of the instrument. So, for much the same money you get the 1920s equivalent of the Asian plywood wonder, or the 1920s equivalent of a nice custom-made from an independent luthier. Just a question of being able to spot the difference. Most of my own buying in this respect has been with bowlbacks, which is really a fairly specialised field. But it also applies to other types.

There's good value in German instruments. A lot of them are "Portuguese" styles, some of them rather nice although as a rule they sound a bit hollow ("tubby" is I think what one calls that). However, I got a vintage 1930s Otwin which looks superficially like one of those but is really a much more sophisticated instrument, with an arched two-piece back, flattop, great wood, great binding, raised pickguard, perfect condition. Not much sustain if played single-note, but a revelation when strumming chords, which just pop clean, full and resonant off the instrument. Cost less than $100.

If you fancy a mandola or octave mandolin, waldzithers are a great vintage alternative -- good clean ones can be had for less than $200, sometimes less than half that, on Ebay Germany.

Martin

[Keith Erickson]

Here, here....

I am a proud owner of an MK A+. When money gets to be a little bit more available, I plan to upgrade. However that MK A+ will be a life long keeper.

It's loud, had nice tone & playability all around!!!

I've had many surprised lóóks and compliments so far.

[Lee Callicutt]

I had a Rover A {$99.00} that was a great mandolin. Wish I still had it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Biscuit, did you get my reply about where I bought my Washburn? Not sure if the PM is working properly. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Dan Adams]

I bought three Johnson MA 120's to practice finish work on, and used them camping, vacations, cruising, etc.. Because of the homemade finish, and the tone, people always asked about the brand of the instrument because they were interested in a similar model. Sold two of them for more than I paid, although I did put in the time and effort to refinish. Both sounded fine and similar to a lot more expensive mandolins. Time to start on #3 in the process. Dan

[fiddlinfool]

A nice gibson sure would be nice - but for a poor family man like myself it won't make me a better player (but it sure would be nice).

Alls that to say the next reasonably priced tobacco burst Harmony Monterey and Harmony Batwing I find will be mine http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif I'd actually like to get the matching 1960s tobacco burst Harmony Monterey guitar - but I'm sort of sick that way

My MAS is restricted to the low end of the Mandolin world (financially speaking)

[G'DAE]

I got an A style, Samick, laminated top, mandolin about 10 yeaes ago. Since then I replaced the bridge( because I broke the one it came with )and removed the pickgaurd. That's about it.I love playing it.It does the job for me. I have to admit, though, that I played a Wiens and discovered a whole new world of mandolin. It sort of hurt for a while, but I got over it.My mando is all the mando I need for my casual musical style.

[John Flynn]

I like this thread. Is anyone else playing cheap on something outside the Asian import lines?
A couple of years ago I bought a Parsons Flat-top for $250 used, with a nice gig bag, from a Cafe' member. I have since had full set-up, including and new nut, some bridge work and upgraded tuners. These instruments were only about $400 new and I don't think I have any more than that sunk in this one. It is all hand-made, with a spruce top and great looking walnut back and sides. I have two mandos that are more expensive and I still find myself playing it a lot. I mostly play old-time, but an award winning Celtic fiddler and mandolinist once told me he thought it has exactly the sound you look for in a Celtic mandolin. There is a picture of it on my post about halfway down this page:
http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin....;st=325 (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=19687;st=325)

[Steve Davis]

I also have a Washburn M1SDL and am very happy with it.

[an uncalloused fingertip]

I am waiting for someone to give a full report on the Martin Backpacker mandolin, which would kind of fall into this catagory. It is unlike any mandolin I have ever seen, yet there is something neat about it's design. It is built like the original lutes where the neck, sides, and back were of a single-piece of wood; the ancientmost design. I played one before, and it doesn't sound so good; yet with some modifications, I think there would be hope. There is something about this instrument that is attractive, though it seems crude.

[Eric F.]

Full report on the Backpacker: It bites. IMHO, YMMV, etc.

[TinaBee1]

Got a cheap mando- $60.bought for me off of eBay by a guy who said that would work for learning.It was c*** and my teacher told me so. I was having a hard time with it - me teacher told me I was fighting the mandolin and I needed to get another one.Saved up some money, asked my teacher to look at a couple in my price range and bought a cheaper cheap mando ($150.00) and it was like night and day!Wasn't fighting the mandolin anymore.It was actually fun to play! Which only made me think another better mando would play better (MAS rears its head!)so saved and saved again and got a 1917 Gibson A1. Man is it sweet!but the guy I bought it from has a Martin that I keep thinking about! So, if I hadn't been able to save money the $150.00 one would have been enough.It has a pretty tone and I'll certainly keep it. Gave the $60. one to a friends dad -he plays guitar-
cuz' he hadn't ever seen one!
Tina Bee- off to practice!

[Red Englemann]

It stays in tune. But most of all -- without cheap mandolins, I wouldn't be playing at all.

Enjoy

Red

[Jim Yates]

I'd like to try a high strung mandolin (G & D in octaves) to play some jug band and blues tunes. I don't want to tie up my good mandos, but would like to try a cheaper model for this. The the Washburn M1SDL oval hole A suggested by arbarnhart looks good. What do you think?

[ashemando]

Here's a good tale worth repeating. I just saw Alison Brown
quartet with Joe Craven playing mando.He played with Grisman for years. I asked him about his F mando, expecting to hear about his 1930 Gibson Fern
or similar.
Well he told me it is a Japanese-made Kentucky.And it sounded great. And cost under 1000.
Said he mentioned this at Mandomania during Merlefest(with
other famous pickers sitting around, no doubt with their
Loars in their hands). Crowd gave him a standing ovation.

[Jim Yates]

I think the tune Vintage-Gintage on the Grisman and Rice Tone Poems CD shows that the player is more important than the instrument (not to say I wouldn't accept a Loar).

[arbarnhart]

I'd like to try a high strung mandolin (G & D in octaves) to play some jug band and blues tunes. #I don't want to tie up my good mandos, but would like to try a cheaper model for this. #The the Washburn M1SDL oval hole A suggested by arbarnhart looks good. #What do you think?
Well, of course I think it is a grand idea. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Some B stock ones show up on eBay often for around $100.

[catmandu2]

Some B stock ones show up on eBay often for around $100.
As do the Kentuckys: I got both of my 380s for around $100.

[pelone]

I bought a Tacoma "Olympia"--a mando that I think may be their pac-rim offering, off of the e-bay for 99 dollars. The seller stated that it would be a project, which was an understatement. Evidently the mando had been sat upon. The top had been savagely removed and the finish on the body was showing tear marks and drastic flaking. I then bought an F top from Stew-Mac, took my time bringing the top to specifications and then restored the mando but left the top a nice and beautiful blond. The thing just sings out with the most wonderful woody tone and man I am in love with it. Have made two more F's from scratch and neither comes close to my e-bay special.

[Jonathan Peck]

Got me a Kentucky KM-150 for the office for and I think it's great. Hard to believe they can make them this good for that cheap. Probably could use a set-up, but it's playing just fine w/o one...

[Smurf]

I got the fantastic Rogue $99 Dreadnought-Mando special for a christmas gift last Dec. After some tweaking the guitar and mando ($30 new) plays fine for me, at the moment. The mando is nothing but highs, but it plays well.....use what ya got!:cool:

[bigdaddyguitar]

My new favorite is a WashburnM1SDL oval hole A style . In black please . This thing screams !!! And very reasonable . A keeper .

[arbarnhart]

My new favorite is a WashburnM1SDL oval hole A style . In black please . This thing screams !!! And very reasonable . A keeper .
Another one joins the brotherhood! Yesterday at my lesson My teacher mentioned that mine is really opening up nice. I have had it a year and a half but have really been playing a lot recently. Anyway, it was a nice compliment out of the blue (completely unsolicited) from someone who owns a few higher end models.

[Soupy1957]

Point of clarification if I may........isn't a "Montana" a "Weber?"
-Soupy1957

[kymandolin29]

i have a cheapie that id love to sell someone for 400$ thats 275 less that i got in it.....mk legacy deluxe...amber fade finish...i just dont like it....mr

[anchorman86]

Don't know if this really counts as "cheap" but it was a pretty good deal...I just ordered a Rover RM-75. I'm getting the mandolin, setup, ebony bridge, pickup, and vintage-style wooden case for $415, plus shipping. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jasona]

Point of clarification if I may........isn't a "Montana" a "Weber?"
-Soupy1957
As I recall, Montanas are made in Romania. Webers are made in Montana. Not Romania.

[arbarnhart]

Don't know if this really counts as "cheap" but it was a pretty good deal...I just ordered a Rover RM-75. I'm getting the mandolin, setup, ebony bridge, pickup, and vintage-style wooden case for $415, plus shipping. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I don't know that much about them, but without the upgrades they can be had for around $300 (here's one - click (http://www.soundexchange2.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=904))

[Soupy1957]

KyMandolin29: I bought the exact same MK for about $895.00 ($989.00 with a hardshell case) and I LOVE it! Sorry to hear you had troubles with it. For a low-end Mandolin ("low" relative only to the lovers of Lloyd Loars or having a Mandolin "made" for them by a personal Luthier) I find it to be quite nice. But anyway.........I STILL eyeball the "eye candy" out there. Too bad I can't play it well enough to do justice to the price.
-Soupy1957

[kestrel]

And nobody has mentioned a Morgan Monroe. I got my MM-4 Phantom (Korean), nearly two years ago, from FOTW - who, BTW, handled the entire deal like consumate professionals - sight unseen. Tradd told me it was a fabulous sounding axe - and it was, right out of the box. I've since put an Allen tail-piece; a Steve Smith bridge; built a bone nut for her; and use Jazz Mando J-11 strings, and she is one awesome sounding and playing instrument. The tone, volume, and sustain, are way great. She might be PAC-Rim, and she was - originally - under a thousand-bucks, but, even with my MAS, it'll probably be a long time before I hear/play something that will even make me think about replacing her.

[fatt-dad]

Point of clarification if I may........isn't a "Montana" a "Weber?"
# #-Soupy1957
As I recall, Montanas are made in Romania.
Montanas are made in Romania, but made FOR the beach. They're a far cry from a Weber.

f-d

[arbarnhart]

My new favorite is a WashburnM1SDL oval hole A style . In black please . This thing screams !!! And very reasonable . A keeper .
You know, there's only one thing that seems to be a downside. When I first got mine, I figured I got really lucky and it was an exceptional one and I would probably get my money back and maybe more if I ever sold it. But oddly enough, all the reports I have seen from owners have been really good. I don't understand how such a cheap model gets high marks so consistently. So mine might be just average for the model. I am still happy to have a great little mando even if it has an oddly low value.

[Lee Callicutt]

a WashburnM1SDL oval hole A style
I don't understand how such a cheap model gets high marks so consistently. So mine might be just average for the model.
And this is something to complain about?

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

[big h]

My first mandolin was a johnson a style.I now play a kentucky km-630.Saveing up for something beter http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[bush-man]

I just upgraded from a Johnson Savannah to a MK legacy, and I love the thing. Sounds great, looks great, and cost under $400 with shipping included. Once I get some J-75's on it I bet it will sound even better.

[cooper4205]

i don't know if this is the case for all of them, but my new alvarez F3 is awesome. i got it for a good deal (trade & some cash) and i am stunned by it.

i can't wait to get it back from will parsons. with the money i saved, i had him shave the tone bars, put in fat frets, make an ebony pickguard and put on a loar style bridge plus a complete set-up! will thought it was a good enough mandolin that it was worth upgrading. he knows alot better than i do about these things and said it would really be a hoss after tweaking it. the looks are on it are quite nice, too.

i'm not trying to say it's loar-like or anything like that, it's just an extremely good mandolin, esp. bluegrass. i don't think i wasted any money because i upgraded an alvarez that's for sure- it still has great tone and volume even though it came from overseas.

[arbarnhart]

a WashburnM1SDL oval hole A style
I don't understand how such a cheap model gets high marks so consistently. So mine might be just average for the model.
And this is something to complain about?

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Well, on the next line, I said I was happy. But my hopes of a decent resale have been dashed. I probably won't sell for a very long time if ever anyway.

[Lee Callicutt]

Well, on the next line, I said I was happy. But my hopes of a decent resale have been dashed. I probably won't sell for a very long time if ever anyway.
Just messin' with you, man. I bought mine to play without a thought to resale.

[arbarnhart]

Well, on the next line, I said I was happy. But my hopes of a decent resale have been dashed. I probably won't sell for a very long time if ever anyway.
Just messin' with you, man. #I bought mine to play without a thought to resale.
I fugured as much. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I wasn't counting on resale either when I bought it. Then after I got it and was so surprised at how it sounded I started thinking it was worth more since it has the tone and if you bought a new one it would be a #### shoot at this price point. But everybody keeps rolling 7s.

A tangent...

Makes me wonder - anyone ever bought or sold at significantly more than list for an exceptional low end model? I don't mean appreciation of vintage; that's another story. I have heard the stories of the occasional cannon rolling off the Kentucky lines and some lucky stiff getting Loar like sound for under $500. If he were dumb enough to sell it, could he command over a grand and get it?

[arbarnhart]

Another justification for playing our low budget wonders:

My mando cost less than your insurance premium (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=12&t=32330) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Jerry Byers]

I also have a Washburn M1SDL and am very happy with it.
Same here. I bought the red version for my daughter so she could play mandolin with her dad. It cost me less than $200.

Since then, I have upgraded the tuners to Schallers with MOP buttons and put on a Brekke bridge. After putting on some good strings and setting the action, she can play. She doesn't bark, but she can sing.

I would recommend this mandolin to anybody looking for a cheap oval A.

[JGWoods]

A few years ago I had a $40 mandolin and a $25 car.
When you tell people your mandolin cost more than your car they expect to see something grand. I disappointed a lot of people.

I still have the mandolin.

[arbarnhart]

I also have a Washburn M1SDL and am very happy with it.
Same here. I bought the red version for my daughter so she could play mandolin with her dad. It cost me less than $200.

Since then, I have upgraded the tuners to Schallers with MOP buttons and put on a Brekke bridge. After putting on some good strings and setting the action, she can play. She doesn't bark, but she can sing.

I would recommend this mandolin to anybody looking for a cheap oval A.
Some nice upgrades. I think if Washburn did a model like that for $500 or so, they would probably sell more. It would get it up in the range that more players shop in. Some people I suggest it to won't even consider it based on the price that is "too low to be any good".

[Lee Callicutt]

and put on a Brekke bridge
I didn't realize you'd put a Brekke on yours. That's a mod I've considered as well.

You likee the Brekke then?

[Jerry Byers]

You likee the Brekke then?
I do like the original Brekke for oval mandolins. With a short neck and a cross-braced sound hole, the Brekke provides a good energy transfer.

[arbarnhart]

Lee,

You quoted me, but I was quoting Jerry (who was quoting Steve; there are a few of us happy with these critters). I had a Red Henry maple bridge (one I made from his plans) on for a while, but when I changed to JM11 strings I put the factory bridge back on to get the height (I can go a little lower with the JM11s) and I plan to put the Red Henry back on one of these days. To be honest, I don't notice a heck of a lot of difference but better players do.

[Jim Yates]

Anyone heard of Beaver Creek mandolins?

[arbarnhart]

You likee the Brekke then?
I do like the original Brekke for oval mandolins. With a short neck and a cross-braced sound hole, the Brekke provides a good energy transfer.
Cross braced? You might want to feel around just below the soudhole on the underside of the top. Unless yours is different than mine, you're in for a shock. It's in line; that's the only deviation from the vintage As I know of below the peghead.

[Naners]

I have a great Epiphone mandolin, and it wasn't pricy at all!! (Never let anyone criticize your mando!):laugh:

[Jerry Byers]

You likee the Brekke then?
I do like the original Brekke for oval mandolins. With a short neck and a cross-braced sound hole, the Brekke provides a good energy transfer.
Cross braced? You might want to feel around just below the soudhole on the underside of the top. Unless yours is different than mine, you're in for a shock. It's in line; that's the only deviation from the vintage As I know of below the peghead.
You know, I just assumed it was x-braced because it was an oval. I took a look and it's a single centerline brace. Is that consider a tone bar? Or, would it be called something else?

[arbarnhart]

You know, I just assumed it was x-braced because it was an oval. I took a look and it's a single centerline brace. Is that consider a tone bar? Or, would it be called something else?
I don't know. I searched around for info and came up empty. I have not seen any plan calling for one like it or any other mando braced that way. I posted about it on the builder's forum and got no answers. My guess would be that it's size and shape certainly have an effect on the tone. It would be interesting to have one "voodooed".

[Lee Callicutt]

My guess would be that it's size and shape certainly have an effect on the tone. It would be interesting to have one "voodooed".
My newbie opinion is that it is a very sweet, focused kind of tone compared to my other mando. It would be very interesting to have one MandoVoodooed, but for now, I'll just have to settle for playing lots of big, open, ringing chords very hard and really firmly pushing through the bass notes with a heavy pick.

[arbarnhart]

My guess would be that it's size and shape certainly have an effect on the tone. It would be interesting to have one "voodooed".
My newbie opinion is that it is a very sweet, focused kind of tone compared to my other mando. #It would be very interesting to have one MandoVoodooed, but for now, I'll just have to settle for playing lots of big, open, ringing chords very hard and really firmly pushing through the bass notes with a heavy pick.
The voodoo would be interesting just to get the voodoo master's opinion as much as desiring any results.

[ApK]

On the whim of wanting to try mandolin, I got the cheap Rogue (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rogue-RM100A-AStyle-Mandolin?sku=519193) mandolin from Musician's Friend. #It's $50 now, and I got it last year while it was still $30. #I'm as happy as a clam. #It's holding together, it's comfortably playable, it's mostly intonated correctly, and it sounds pretty much like a mandolin, judging by what little I know about what they should sound like. And it's pretty to look at.

We truly live in a Golden Age of cheap instruments.
If I ever need another cheap guitar, I'll probably get the Rogue guitar/mando combo pack for $99 just so I can get another one as a backup.

ApK

[Lee Callicutt]

The voodoo would be interesting just to get the voodoo master's opinion as much as desiring any results.
Four or five of us could chip in and get a $99, B stock to send for the process and then fight over the resulting mando . . .

OR (and I like this alternative much better), four or five of us could chip in to have the process done to MY $99 B stock and I could report back to you all about how worthwhile it was!

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

[arbarnhart]

The voodoo would be interesting just to get the voodoo master's opinion as much as desiring any results.
Four or five of us could chip in and get a $99, B stock to send for the process and then fight over the resulting mando . . .

OR (and I like this alternative much better), four or five of us could chip in to have the process done to MY $99 B stock and I could report back to you all about how worthwhile it was!

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif # # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Oh, but my $200 A stock one makes it easier to justify the cot of voodoo... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[harper]

I bought Jerry Byers' red Washburn M1SDL mentioned several posts back off the Classifieds. His upgrades (Brekke bridge, Schaller tuners) and set-up are very nice. He sold it to get an upgrade for his daughter. This will be my second when I don't want to take my Rigel. It is too nice to call a beater, loud and sweet. Thanks, Jerry.

[Jim Broyles]

Sorry Gary, I am the King of Cheap Instruments.
Aria LP copy - $179.00
Wechter Acoustic/Electric guitar - $187.50 w/ Gator case
Fullerton Gloucester F style mandolin - $269.10. + $75.00 for a TKL case
Fullerton Blackwood Parlor guitar - $189.45
Jay Turser Beatle Bass - $219.00 in a hardshell case. Hofnerization has added to the base cost but still a cheap instrument. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I might be adding another Fullerton Mandolin. If so, a Hammonton for $179.10 will be on the list.

I highly recommend the Fullerton Gloucester if you want an all solid F- style mandolin for under $200.00 - I paid more but they are even lower now.

[mythicfish]

Bought an '80s Kentucky 180S last summer ... mostly out of curiosity. I fitted it with an ebony bridge (good ol' parts drawer) and shaved down the tone bars. It's .... pretty good. Sounds like a mandolin and it's better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Curt

[Lee Callicutt]

#It is too nice to call a beater, loud and sweet. #
Just think how sweet it would sound if the finish wasn't this thick:

[Lee Callicutt]

Sorry, a picture was meant to accompany that last post.

[Rick Cadger]

A few years ago I had a $40 mandolin and a $25 car.
When you tell people your mandolin cost more than your car they expect to see something grand. I disappointed a lot of people.

I still have the mandolin.
ha ha, love it! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif


as jbmando knows, i am another champion of the Fullerton Gloucester. at the moment these are seriously cheap, but they are great, woody sounding F9 copies. i paid equivalent of just over £100 for mine. if it had cost 3 x as much i would still reckon i'd found a good deal.

as for rather playing no mando than a bad mando... that's irrelevant. the thread is about cheap mandos, not about bad mandos. the two things are not at all the same.

i played Eastman mandos in TAMCO a while ago, and they were great. my Fullerton is great. all are also cheap.

[RizinRico]

I just bought a fullerton hammonton at the music 123 sell off before guitar center completely swallows them. so far i am enjoying making a lot of noise while noodling along with the lessons on musicmoose.org. nothing quite like a cheap mando and free lessons to make a man happy.

[Guildham]

First post here and I'd like to add my $0.02 CAD. I do not have a mandolin yet I'm MASsing for one though. This post reminds me of guitar posts that I have been in.

I have three great guitars, two vintage and one newer but still over 10 years old. If you take the name away and play it or listen with your eyes closed, they will speak to you.

Once you find the sound you like or the sound that someone else can make with it, then you can put the visuals on if necessary. A good guitar / mando player can make a "cheapie" sound great and a poor player can make a "great" one sound cheap.

But, GAS is fun and now I'm finding that MAS can be as fun. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif