View Full Version : I bought one!
nellicat
Mar-26-2007, 11:34am
I finally DIDN'T get outbid on ebay. #I purchased this mandolin for $160, shipped. #I'm so very excited - my very first mandolin! #I've been using a friend's first mandolin, but the time had come to get my own. #I know this isn't a cadillac, but I'm pleased with my first purchase, I think.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....TQ:US:1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170094430035&sspagename=ADME:L:RTQ:US:1)
What has been your experience with this type of mandolin, way back when you were beginners?
devilstone_the_bard
Mar-26-2007, 11:40am
CONGRATS MAN!!!
I never had a Fender, but I *do* remember the joy of my first mando purchase. Let the MAS begin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Hope you love it!
JEStanek
Mar-26-2007, 11:48am
Congrats Wo-man!
Peggy,
You would deffinately benifit from having a shop set up that mandolin (adjust the bridge and nut for intoantion and ease of play). It will play better/easier and sound better. High action at the nut can really make your fingers hurt and hinder your progress.
You may also want to have them replace the strings at the same time. The stock strings on those imports can be pretty crummy.
A friend of mine has one of those and the bridge wasn't even slotted/compensated for the strings but it sounded better after I put new strings on it for her.
Get a beginners book with chord shapes and some theory and some tunes you want to learn. Ideally, one with a CD so you can hear what they're supposed to sound like if its a tune you don't already know.
Enjoy your new mandolin and welcome to the cafe'. Ask away.
Jamie
Cary Fagan
Mar-26-2007, 12:47pm
My first mandolin was the same kind of Fender and it should do you fine. If you're lucky it won't need a set-up (which will cost you a third of what you paid). Do a measurement (search for threads on set up or action) at the 12th fret to see. I agree a decent set of strings (like D'Addario J74s, although as a beginner you might prefer lighter ones) will give you a better sound.
Enjoy!
Milan Christi
Mar-26-2007, 1:00pm
Cool! Welcome to the sweetest addiction on the planet. My experience as a beginner was with a very old, inexpensive wall-hanger that had strings on it. Your mandolin is about seventy-two steps above my first mando. But mine still made some pretty nice music - enough to get me completely hooked. You should be fine with your Fender. And you'll love the company here at the Cafe. Enjoy!!
Daniel Nestlerode
Mar-26-2007, 1:53pm
Peggy,
You're doomed, doomed I say!
You've chosen a life of painful string changes, tonal frustrations, mando-envy, Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome, and preterantural prejudice against banjos.
On the upside, you've got a large, well-organized community of enablers, er... I mean like minded people, here on the Mandolin Cafe.
Daniel
Peggy, congratulations on your mandolin!
Enjoy!
Fliss
Peggy,
I started off on that exact same model Fender. Really, all in all it was surprisingly good. I echo what's been said above about making sure it's set up properly; that will make all the difference in the world. Congrats and welcome to the Cafe.
MandoSquirrel
Mar-26-2007, 4:02pm
Solid top, $160,looks like shipping's included, better deal than a lot of us started with, Congrat's, & welcome to our addiction.
Laura Leder
Mar-26-2007, 6:36pm
Hey, Peggy,
Congratulations! I also started with a Fender. As others said previously you may benefit from a new set up. I did.
Have fun! You'll be hooked in no time!
It's nice to see more ladies playing!
All the best,
Laura
Cool Mandolin Company http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
Doug Edwards
Mar-26-2007, 7:32pm
Congratulations Peggy,
PM me your mailing address and I'll send you a M.A.S. sticker to get you started. I think I have an extra Cafe sticker laying around too.
JEStanek
Mar-26-2007, 7:40pm
Peggy,
No one has offered this yet but Frets.com (http://www.frets.com/) is an excelent resource for some do it yourself mando (or any fretted instrument) adjustments. At the very least, his method for string changes works great for me. If you change your own, don't take them all off at once or bye-bye bridge (hope this isn't too remedial).
Have fun!
Jamie
Mikey G
Mar-26-2007, 8:12pm
Hoo Waa
DryBones
Mar-26-2007, 11:19pm
start shopping for the next one...you can never start too early or have too many!
nellicat
Mar-27-2007, 8:31am
Peggy,
No one has offered this yet but Frets.com (http://www.frets.com/) is an excelent resource for some do it yourself mando (or any fretted instrument) adjustments. #At the very least, his method for string changes works great for me. #If you change your own, don't take them all off at once or bye-bye bridge (hope this isn't too remedial).
Have fun!
Jamie
Jamie, thanks. NOTHING is too remedial for me - I am a true beginner. I can't wait for the UPS guy!
Mark Walker
Mar-27-2007, 8:47am
Congrats Peggy!
My first mandolin was a Lotus - which is a PacRim model, comparably priced with your Fender, and looks quite similar to it. (And the Kentucky A5's and a dozen others out there!)
Like others have suggested, there are ways to get it set up correctly - which will only enhance your efforts and eliminate discouragement!
Good luck and welcome to the mandolin owner's club! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
tedincolorado
Mar-27-2007, 7:10pm
Hi Peggy- welcome. I also got into mandolins by a purchase on ebay- it's my new obsession. Very addictive little varmints.
This is a great site- a lot of good people here.
8ch(pl)
Mar-27-2007, 7:36pm
I think that Imports from 10 or so years ago are better than today's new ones. I have a Samick that I bought in 96, it has a scarf headstock joint, you won't see that anymore. Overall it is a nice A style mandolin, similar to your Fender. If this Fender is made in Korea it is probably from the Samick factory. Price wise you did OK, even if you need a setup.
Guildham
Mar-27-2007, 8:32pm
I think that Imports from 10 or so years ago are better than today's new ones.
This seems to be true across the instrument world. The guitars coming out of the far east are excellant instruments and the price points are hard to beat.
As for mandolins I'm looking to buy my first and I'm leaning towards a Kentucky of some sort, mainly because I know someone that sells them and I might be able to get a good price.
So exciting!
My dad got me my first mandolin for $80 from a television repair and musical instrument shop, many, many years ago. It was not nearly as good as your Fender, yet it served me well for many years. Before that I was teaching myself mandolin on one of my fathers tenor banjos.
I will never forget the heady rush of those first few days with my own mandolin.