View Full Version : looking to upgrade
edawg
Jun-22-2004, 10:22am
ive been playing for about 6 months and have been taking lessons. i got a johnson mando, dont know what model, but i got it for about $50 (new) and im looking to step it up a notch. my mando teacher has a sweet gibson from like 1930orsomething and mine is such ####.
i wanna invest a few hundred dollars..but dont really know which to look for. ive been told michael kelly ($500) and kentucky ($?) are nice...what do you suggest.
First thing Edawg is to go out and play a lot of different mandolins. Then contact Dale and see if that Moonbeam is still available so that when you receive it you can judge it well. I have heard that Dale's Moonbeam is a very good value right now. Keep the Johnson for camping trips.
I have no financial interest in Dales well being except I believe he originally commissioned my BRW mando so I remain indebted.
sirmando
Jun-22-2004, 11:08am
Well first I would stay try as many a possible and get the one you like the most in your price range. I just upgraded my self and tried a bunch of mandolins in my price range and I love the micheal kelley mandolin the best. They have a good sounding chop and the radius fretboard feels great.
Unseen122
Jun-23-2004, 2:08pm
I am looking to upgrade also from the same situation. I have been playing longer and have a lot of expierince musicaly. I am thinking about the Kentucky/whatever sounds good to me at a guitar show this weekend. Look on Elderly instruments they have a lot of stuff there.
chipotle
Jun-23-2004, 7:42pm
I am in the same situation and I have been looking at Morgan Monroe Bean Blossom models. They are priced well within my budget and they have been presented (to me) as better than a Kentucky. I am intrigued by the MK since I have really been sold on the radius fretboard.
I am a raw rookie and really easy to please though. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Greg H.
Jun-23-2004, 8:40pm
I think I have to agree with many of the other posters here, in the under $1000 price range you just about have to go out and try as many as you can. If you try enough you will probably find some real gems, but you will also go through a lot that sound more Woof(y) than woody. If you can save a little extra money to pay for the gas (or airfare) to take you where you have some selection you would have a much better chance of finding the one that you just can't put down. (If such a place exists down the street then so much the better!)