Michael Kelly or Mid-Mo? price similar.

[mandotando]

I'm a beginner looking to upgrade from an Epiphone MM-30. #The Epiphone has an annoying metalic ring to it, which ruins the tone, and I think the action is high. #I'd like to get an instrument which sounds nice and has low action/easy to play.

I'm looking at either a Michael Kelly Legacy F style or a Mid-Missouri. #Both are priced about the same. #The gentleman at the store reccommended an MK because the Mid-Mo's are too quiet and have a 'dark' tone.... not sure what that means. #

I don't play with a band yet, so volume isn't really a concern. #Looks are not a concern. #Music type isn't an issue.....I'm mainly practicing bluegrass and fiddle tunes, but would like to be able to chop along with some friends too.

What I really want is an instrument that will sound good when I practice as opposed to what I have now, which sounds like a metallic toy.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

[Hondo]

Have you played them? Buy the one that sounds best to you.

If music type isn't an issue, I'd go with the Mid-Mo, but then I'm biased because I recently bought one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Michael H Geimer]

I traded my Epi MM-50 for a Mid-mo M-11. I couldn't be happier.

I have never played a MK, so I can't comment on how that particular make compares.

- Benignus

[JackStraw_1969]

I just got a Mid-MO M1.....it's my 1st mando, but I must say I have a new love...... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[PCypert]

Mid Mo. No contest. I posted all the why's on another similar post. You can't go wrong with a Mid Mo. I don't work for them, but have to say they are the best people to work with. When something happens to your Michael Kelly or you have to pay to set it up or whatever you'll be wishing you purchased a Mid Mo. I had a second hand Mid Mo that needed a new set up. They just had me ship it to them and they fixed it and shipped it back to me at their expense. Took about five days and I had a "new" mando. Completely set up with new strings, about four bridges, etc. Trust me on this one and do yourself a favor and don't listen to the guy that will chime in with, "buy what you like looking at".
Paul

[jiffyfeet]

Another vote for Mid-Mo.

[mad dawg]

I'm mainly practicing bluegrass and fiddle tunes, but would like to be able to chop along with some friends too.
The Mid-Mo is a very well made and well respected instrument, but even though you say the music type doesn't matter, your taste and inclination as you play now suggests that you may be happier in the long-run with an instrument better suited for Bluegrass than a flat-top (which lack the chop, and often the volume, that a carved-top can provide). If you have stocking mandolin dealers near you, you might want to consider looking around and playing a variety of new and used carved top instruments in your price range, until you find one that feels and sounds good to you. #

But, if you like the Mid-Mo better than the carved-tops you test drive, by all means buy what you love, and don't worry about what others say you should buy.

[jlb]

One anectode and one thought, for what their worth plus a grain of salt.

The anectode:

A friend bought a pre-dealership MK (before the prices went up). One of the braces completely failed, making the top of his mandolin look like a p on its back and obviously having a serious impact on tone as well as structure. It took him two months to get MK to agree to honoring the warranty. I think they turned the mando (or a new one, can't recall) around back to him in short order after they got it, but I don't believe you should have to battle a company for two months for warranty service for something as severe as a brace failure.

On the other hand, I have heard nothing but good things about Mid-Mo customer service, even for those who bought their Mis-Mo's second hand.

The idea:

When people start out with MKs, I often notice that if they stick with mandolin, they will upgrade to a better, more costyl F style, and either sell their MK, ot never play it again. Seems like people hang onto their Mid-Mos even after an upgrade.

[Michael H Geimer]

"When people start out with MKs, I often notice that if they stick with mandolin, they will upgrade to a better, more costyl F style, and either sell their MK, ot never play it again. #Seems like people hang onto their Mid-Mos even after an upgrade. "

... and there you have it.

Mad Dawg's right, if you end up playing BG then you'll eventually get frustrated that a flat-top just won't 'chop' and you'll upgrade to a better F-style ... but you'll probably keep that Mid-mo. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mcmando]

Seems like people hang onto their Mid-Mos even after an upgrade.
This is true-- I own several more expensive mandos, and have bought and sold a few, but I'll never sell my mid-mo.

I haven't played an MK (heard a couple played first hand though) so I won't say anything about that, but I do have first hand experience with mid-mo's customer service.

My M-1 was a gift from my wife that she bought from a music store. #Turns out it was in the store for about 7 years. #When I got it, I discovered that it had a slight bow in the neck, some top scratches, and some fret wear on 4 & 5. #The folks at Mid missouri fixed the neck, replaced the fingerboard (all new frets) and refinished the top. #It came back like a new one and all it cost me was shipping to Missouri-- they paid the return freight and didn't charge me a dime for the repair.

I love my Phoenix and my Rigel, but I still enjoy the mid-mo and play it often. I prefer the tone for some genres-- old tyme in particular.

[Damnation Gulch]

I was really interested in the Michael Moore (PSYCH) / Michael Kelly Phoenix and had found a pretty good deal right here in the classifieds. After I found the Folk Of The Wood video section I realized I really liked the sound of the Morgan Monroe better and the one I ended up with has a tone very similer to the one in the video:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm

I ALMOST bought a Breedlove as I think they have killer tone... check this sweet thang out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....69&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3730472569&rd=1)

[chirorehab]

I love my MK.... Sure I would love to get a more expensive mando some day, but I am pretty happy with it & I will always keep it! It sounds great in jams. The chop is great. I have had many people (even a "pro") who have played it and couldn't believe how great it sounds... Maybe I got lucky, but I would reccomend them to anyone..

Good luck,

Eric

[kebmando]

That is a great looking Breedlove!

But something caught my eye that disturbs me, as I'm seriously considering a Quartz....

1 year warranty?!?!?! Is this standard for the Quartz line?

[Professor PT]

I love my MK.... Sure I would love to get a more expensive mando some day, but I am pretty happy with it & I will always keep it! It sounds great in jams. The chop is great. I have had many people (even a "pro") who have played it and couldn't believe how great it sounds... Maybe I got lucky, but I would reccomend them to anyone..

Good luck,

Eric
I'll chime in and give a nod to MK as well. I've had very good luck and got one that has great volume and tone and very few of the blemishes. They are not all like that, but if you play enough of them, I'll bet you can find one that sounds great. As for Mid-Mo, I can't say since I've never played one. The aesthetics don't appeal to me. If and when I do buy a more expensive mando, I will definitely keep my MK. It just sounds too good to sell.

[Greg H.]

I think the long and short of it here is listen to Mad Dawg's advice. Play 'em! It may well be that the final mandolin is neither a Mid Mo nor a Michael Kelly, but the only way you're likely to find the right mandolin is by test driving as many as you can. If you can, take another mandolin player along with you so you can hear what the listener hears as well as what the player hears. And when you finally found the one that won't leave your hands until the store owner starts talking about closing for the night--Then you've got the right mando!

[Walter]

The answer is easy. - Mid Mo.

[steve in tampa]

I have been using an Ovation for the beach bar/plugged in gigs. Around the campfire I use a Dean BGF. It is a flat top with a pretty loud sound. I ordered an MK Dragonfly and itshould be coming in next week. I ordered it with the Allen tailpiece, Fishman system and pickguard. I live near the importer,and was able to visit the showroom and play several. The radiused fretboard sets it apart from others brands that I have played. The tone varied from instrument to instrument as one would expect, but all sounded good for "green" instruments. The Dean I have is just starting to open up after about a year.I think that any new instrument is going to be somewhat of a gamble. Those of us who aren't in the vintage Gibson economy have to throw the dice! I have a slowly growing collection. Easier to collect mandolins than guitars due to the smaller size. I would suggest that you play everything you can get your hands on until the one that speaks to you shows up! Look at what parts on the instruments that you would want to upgrade, and consider that in the cost. Tuners, bridge, pickups and tailpiece upgrades can add up.

[bmac]

Recently bought a Mid-Mo as my first mandolin. Am quite happy with it though there was (is) a problem with the finish on the front. Examine it carefully when you buy one, whatever the brand.

bart

[Unseen122]

No matter what cheap mando you buy you are bound to want a more expensive. If you play BG go for the MK better sound suited for that style. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[sirmando]

I just bought a MK dragonfly and I love it. But I did try a few others in that price range. The MK has a good solid chop but not like a gibson or others in the US. If you want to play bluegrass buy the MK but have it set up it by a pro it makes all the difference in the world.