Buying my first mandolin...need advice

[Jayak]

Hello - I'm just beginning my search for a mandolin and found this site (looks well done, by the way)

Anyway, I have just started looking for a mandolin and am trying to gather some information to help me make a decision. I have been playing guitar for about 4 years. I have a Martin DR which I really enjoy playing. Not sure I'll ever be a great player, but I enjoy it.

I wanted to learn to play a second instrument and decided on the mandolin. I have a budget of about $300 and need some ideas on what I can get in that range.

Any other info about what to look for, what brands to avoid, things to consider.

Thanks for any feedback.

Jay

[Zako]

You could look for a cheap Asian one like a Carlo Robelli (that was my starter; I got it at Sam Ash)or a Fender or Rogue, but those won't inspire you much in spite of the fact that they might be fancy or have certain features. #Also, those are pretty below your budget. #

If you're willing to spend the extra hundred or so, though, go with a Big Muddy. They're incredibly plain, but are much higher quality than those thick-finished, sloppy-bound pieces of you-know-what. #Also, they're very small and light, which makes them more portable. #

Of course, if you can't tell the difference in tone yet, go with whatever is cheap and easily playable. #Once you can tell your starter sounds like a tin can, start looking for another. #I personally couldn't tell until a few months after I started. #

Overall: Look around a couple of music stores, see what you like the best and buy it. Remember--it's not your wife you're choosing here. #

There are a few other threads dealing with this. #See if you can find more advice.

Oh yeah--Welcome to the Cafe! #You are now addicted. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[jferg9]

Hi Jay........I went on e-bay to buy my 1st mandolin and got a Tyler Mountain F-model for $300-$400 along with a gig bag. I have seen epiphone mandolins and Johnson mandolins for the same price range. There are other models too. For the $$$ I like the Michael Kelly mandolins. They have some lower price range mandolins that actually sound nice too. Go on e-Bay and see what you find. Good luck.
Peace,

[Jayak]

Thanks for the info Zako. I'm sure my budget will end up growing...like it did with every other hobby I've gotten into. So a Big Muddy, is that a brand name? Sorry not familiar.

Also, price aside, what would be a few good entry level mandolins? Can you give me some insight to the A and F types, besides the obvious desing differneces?

thanks again

[harper]

You might look at a Thomas Flood (Floodtone). He often has one listed in the Classifieds in your price range. I have two of his instruments and they are very good looking, sweet sounding, and very playable. Intonation is excellent, fretting is easy, fit and finish are good, construction seems quite sturdy. I have several much more expensive mandolins to compare to (Rigel, Old Wave, Ode). I think the Floodtones are an excellent value and likely to be consistent in quality, unlike the Pac-rim models. Tom is quite helpful by email or phone call.

[Zako]

Well, here's a link...

http://www.bigmuddymandolin.com/

You can probably find them in a lot of local places, and quite a few are sold pretty cheap on the cafe classifieds, so look out for a good deal on one.

As for the differences between A and F,you'll find a lot more value in a $400-500 A mando than in an F-mando of the same price. #The low-end A's are generally made better, anyway, since for the F most of the money goes into making that cute little scroll which, I might add, is often flat (not ridged, like a true F) and sloppily made. #So...go with an A, if it comes down to that. #There's nearly no difference tonally,no matter what people will tell you.

The big mo, as I should point out, is neither an A or an F, but a flattop, and it is not as loud as a carved mando.
However, as I have said before, you can't go wrong with one.
Besides, most of the "carved top sunburst" Asian models aren't really carved, but machine-pressed, which is cheating. Of the Asian sunburst models, though, I sorta liked a Rogue with F-holes I once tried out.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Jayak -- what kind of music do you intend to play on mandolin? That might help everyone fune tune their suggestions/preferences for you.

[jim_n_virginia]

$300. your not going to get much of a mandolin especially if you want a F-holed arched top instrument and not a flattop like a Big Muddy or Mid Mo.

I would hit eBay and try and find a used entry level Eastmen, Michael Kelly or Kentucky. I say a used one because it probably has been played and probably set up correctly. Try and make sure you get one that is playable and set up. Otherwise if you buy one of the entry level mandolin new you will definitely need to set aside a little to take the mandolin to a qualified Luthier (NOT a guitar tech at Guitar Center) and have them set it up.

My first mandolin was a cheap plywood Rover I bought used out of a pawnshop. The action was super high and sounded like a cigarbox with rubberbands on it but I didn't know any difference because I had never heard a real mandolin live before. My next mando was a Mid-Mo and the difference was like night and day.

good luck

[8ch(pl)]

I usully recommend a used Mid Missouri, now known as Big Muddy Mandolin Co. They generally sell for about $400, above your stated budget, but I have seen them go for $300 or a bit more. They are not a Bluegrass instrument, but they play well and sound great. If you get one of these, then decide to upgrade, or you wish to sell because mandolin is not for you, then you recover your money.

No financial interest. A Mid Missouri M-4 is my principal instrument and mine is not for sale.

[bluegrassrulz]

Eastman is making great asian-made mandolins, these are KILLER sounding little mandos at comparatively low prices. Go on ebay and see if you can't find one in your price range. The A styles would be closest to your price range but they're awesome anyways...just get a good set up from a luthier after purchase.

[Jayak]

Thanks for everyone's advice. Looks to me like the budget will need to increase to around $400-$500 to get an instrument that I won't want to replace in 6 months. Used is fine, I did that with my guitar to move up in quality and was the best decision I ever made.

Jim - I gues you could describe the style of music I'm wanting to play as Alt Country and country influenced rock, but I'm sure that range will broaden as I prgress.

From eveyrone's posts, I've made a short list of brands; Big Muddy, Michael Kelley, Floodtone and Eastman. An A style instead of the F Style.

I'm going to learn a few simple chords and go test drive but not buy today.

thanks again

[KNP String Band Mando]

You can get a nice A by Kentucky for about 300. Mgith not be all solid woods. #Whatever you get make sure to have it set up by a pro first. #The worst is trying to learn on a mando that is not very playable due to action or neck condition. #

I started out with a rouge A-100 or something like that, it was 40$ at Muscians Friend, and came with two books and gig bag, great way to start, but you will out grow it fast. #And like I have said before on other threads, dont worry so much about your first mandolin, MAS will set in soon and you will be upgrading forrr-evvvv-eeer... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[earthsave]

If you want to insure you get one setup properly, buy if from a reputable dealer that knows mandolins. They'll not sell you an instrument that is unplayable or not setup properly. Buying from other places may be a #### shoot in terms of getting a properly setup instrument, and a setup will run you about $75. Which is a chunk when your budget is only $300-500.

elderly.com and fqms.com are two places I recommend and there are others.

Shopping online for lowest price on a instrument is not the same as say for a camera.

[mythicfish]

1. Find someone who knows more than you do about mandolins
2. Buy the best used mandolin you can afford.

[Mattg]

Kentucky 380s. Find one and play it.

I bought one early on but have since upgraded. I still have it and play it frequently. I travel with it too.

[earthsave]

If you want to insure you get one setup properly, buy if from a reputable dealer that knows mandolins. #They'll not sell you an instrument that is unplayable or not setup properly. #Buying from other places may be a #### shoot in terms of getting a properly setup instrument, and a setup will run you about $75. #Which is a chunk when your budget is only $300-500.

elderly.com and fqms.com are two places I recommend and there are others.

Shopping online for lowest price on a instrument is not the same as say for a camera.
If you were wondering what kinda shoot I was referring to... it was a carp shoot. Just swap the a and r. Didnt know that was offensive. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif