Whats a good mando for a beginner (christmas)?

[Fred_Murtz]

A friend's daughter is a good guitar player who wants to learn mando (wants one for Christmas). Budget is around $150 - $200.


AND...

She's a lefty. Can you take an A style mando without a pick guard and have a set up guy turn it into a lefty pretty easy/cheap?

Thanks for any advise.

[homeslice]

Your best bet is to probobly find a used one, but it will be tough this close to Christmas finding something so specific (a lefty at that price). In the price range that your shooting for, having one altered wouldnt make as much sense as increasing the budget and buying one made for a lefty.

You may get lucky though and get a response from someone on this board who can help you out. I'd post in the wanted section of the classifieds also. Good luck!

[Jim MacDaniel]

At $475 this is more than twice your stated budget, but if it is still available, this (all-solid) left-handed MK F-style (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=25761&query=retrieval) in the classifieds section of this site, may be the best price you can find for an all-solid lefty with only 8 days until Xmas (and an MK is not a bad starter mandolin, IMO,).

[Jason Holmes]

I second that about posting a wanted ad, and certainly check the classifieds. A used instrument would be a better value than a new one if you can find one, and since you say she's already a good guitar player, I'd think she would appreciate a slightly nicer used instrument as opposed to a lesser new one. There have been a ton of threads on this subject that you could probably find using the search button up at the top right. Maybe Mike E will chime in with a few prior threads to take a look at.

[John L]

Used is definitely the way to go to get the most bang for your buck. Added advantage is that a used $500 mandolin at, say $300, will still be worth $300 if the young lady wants a better one (or in the unimaginable circumstance that she does not like playing mandolin!).

[gnelson651]

Try The Mandolin Hut (http://themandolinhut.com/left_hand_mandolin.htm)

LEFT HAND OVAL HOLE MANDOLIN PACKAGE #

Everything You Need To Learn And Play The Mandolin

This Mandolin Package Includes:

1 OVAL LEFT HANDED MANDOLIN

1 PADDED GIG BAG

1 CHROMATIC TUNER:

3 PICKS:

1 YOU CAN TEACH YOURSELF MANDOLIN BOOK AND DVD INCLUDED

INCLUDES SHIPPING AND SET UP
YOUR SPECIAL PRICE IS ONLY $199.00

[Tim2723]

Bingo! #Good catch Glenn!

Anyone with musical experience (even guitar players http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) knows they're not buying top of the line for $200. #That package seems to fit the bill, and it's even been set up.

Some dealers might take a right handed piece of junk, do nothing to it, add a couple of cheap accessories, and sell it as a 'package' to the unsuspecting. But I doubt too many would go to the trouble of converting a piece of junk on the chance of finding a left handed buyer. It's probably a playable starter mando. At least the odds are in its favor.

[Jim MacDaniel]

I just spotted the following text in the above link: "This Mandolin Has Been Converted
Over From A Right Hand Model"

[gnelson651]

I just spotted the following text in the above link: "This Mandolin Has Been Converted
Over From A Right Hand Model"
Not sure why this is a problem for an A-style since it is symmetrical. it would be a simple matter of changing the nut and bridge.

[Jim MacDaniel]

I'm not sure either, but I thought I've read here in the past that arch-top bracing is not symmetrical, but I didn't think of it until I read Tim's comment about converting right-handed mandolins for use by lefties. I am not sure if that is the case in the lower pricepoints however, and the proper shop setup referenced in your link is defintiely a bonus.

[Tim2723]

In my experience the lower end stuff tends to be symetrical. #You don't get into the fancy bracing at that price. #These things are pretty bare-bones.

I hope Fred ordered this or found something else. There's only six days til Christmass.

[earthsave]

Dont know much about the Hut, but that looks like a nice beginner package, assuming they know what they are doing there. I'd rather have a chipboard case than a gig bag though. Hell, I'd rather have a rigid cardboard box than a gig bag. They are nearly useless in protecting the instrument.

Conversion shouldnt matter at this level mando. If it is playable, stays in tune, and intontation is good, then go for it.

[gnelson651]

For the mandolin package, the upgrade on the case is $39.99. Personally, I like this one (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-Hardshell-AStyle-Mandolin-Case?sku=544411). Figure another $9.00 for shipping. However, MF does offer free shipping for items $29.99 & up from time to time, so waiting later will be OK. A gig bag will give some protection, especially if the mandolin stays at home during the beginner learning mode.

[Jim MacDaniel]

I'm with Glenn -- I have two of those MF cases, which offer a lot of bang for the buck.

[Tim2723]

I agree. The MK case special is a very good value. But even a simple vinyl bag will keep the dust off in those first months learning at home, and it keeps the package price on target. Like Scot, I'd never trust a soft case for heavy use though. Besides, buying accessories is half the fun!

[Jim MacDaniel]

Again its over twice the budget, but this lefty Eastman 505 (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=26377&query=retrieval) was just posted today in the classifieds at $450, and there are tons of Eastman owners on the boards here who rave about them.