What kind of mando is this?

[gtfiddline]

I'm gonna look at this mando on Sat. owner is asking $200 and it comes with a hard shell case. I'm a guitarist of 10 years and looking for a mando that is good enough to learn on, but that I won't mind taking it camping at stuff like that. What should I look for when I look at it.

[gtfiddline]

Here's another pic

[gtfiddline]

one more

[bradeinhorn]

it looks like a generic chinese made instrument. you can probably get something similar new on ebay for the same or less money. he probably did.

i would tap the top to listen for a rattle - loose brace - a deal breaker. also see if the top looks like it is sinking. also look for obvious things like cracks, seam separation, if the tuners work. if you can expand your budget a bit, i'd look for a us made flattop oval hole or maybe like an eastman 505.

[MikeEdgerton]

Don't get hung up on the F style body, you'll get more mandolin for your money from an A style. If you want to stay in that 200.00 range look at the Kentucky 150s model. It has a solid top and is going to be a better mandolin than what you're showing in the pictures.

[earthsave]

Make sure it is playable up the neck, action not too high, stays in tune and tuners work, neck is not warped, check the intonation, look for cracks, splits, etc., play some chords and feel how it plays and hear how it sounds.

If all above suits you, it's a good deal with an HSC.

The back looks nice, the F-holes look a bit large, like on my BeanBlossom. Maybe a kit? The scroll looks hand made.

[allenhopkins]

Concur with the above. #Asian import, plywood (90% probability), pressed top. #The lack of a trademark is not a good thing, but also not uncommon. #You're only risking $200, and the hardshell case is worth something, so if it's playable, has no structural issues, then...

My best advice is find a mandolin playing friend to go with you when you check it out, and have this person play it as well. #Don't get a perfectionist who doesn't think anything less than a $2K instrument is worth buying, but someone who'll give you honest feedback as to the instrument's strong and weak points.

Private sales can be a bit dicey; the seller doesn't have to worry about repeat business, or whether you'll tell your friends "stay away, I got ripped off." #In many cases, the seller was as clueless as you when he/she bought the instrument. #So it never hurts to have someone with a bit of expertise on your side.

[MikeEdgerton]

Not a question that it's imported. These are on eBay daily with and without brand names on them.

[Celtic Saguaro]

I suggest passing on most any f-style that cheap. In addition to what others have said, this one looks particularly crude in spots, although much of it may just be really a poor binding job. A decent case is probably worth more than this mandolin used.

Look for an a-style instead. A Kentucky, Fender, even an Epiphone would likely be a better buy than this.

[gtfiddline]

Thanks for the great info ya'll. Seems like the recomendation is to spend a little more for a step up from this one. I'm a pretty good guitarist (10 yrs) so I want something that's going to say in tune and have a decent sound. I'm definately willing to go up to about 350 maybe 400 for something that will last twice as long.

[MikeEdgerton]

In that price range I'd be looking at a Kentucky KM-505S (http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=KM-505).

[earthsave]

Thanks for the great info ya'll. Seems like the recomendation is to spend a little more for a step up from this one. I'm a pretty good guitarist (10 yrs) so I want something that's going to say in tune and have a decent sound. I'm definately willing to go up to about 350 maybe 400 for something that will last twice as long.
I thought you were going to take a look at this one? For some, that's a rare opportunity, to hear and handle an instrument before buying.

You never know what you might find and for $200 including the HSC, it could be a nice find. An HSC will run you $70 at least on the low end. So you could be getting a perfectly playable budget instrument for $130, which is hard to find. If it is playable, etc. then this is exactly what you are looking for to learn and take camping.

Stepping up to $350-400 will probably not get you much more?

[MikeEdgerton]

For what it's worth, $39.00 will get you a hard shell F style case.

[earthsave]

For what it's worth, $39.00 will get you a hard shell F style case.
Musicians Friend has em on sale for $39.99, and I'd add another $6 for S/H.

So HSC will cost you at least $46.

[MikeEdgerton]

Unless you buy it with some other items and then the shipping is free. The point I'm making is that the case doesn't make that mandolin that much more attractive. You can buy a similar model for less than $200.00 new from Janet Davis. Now, if it had a Calton case with it I'd jump on it for $200.00.

[Hans]

Run away, run away! Don't waste your money.

[northfolk]

DON'T even bother to look at it! Looks very poor to me! There are decent mandos out there in that price range, unfortunately this is not one of them. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif