What mandolin to starting?

[Charlieandtheblues]

Hi everybody,

I'm a french guitarist (blues on folk, dobro, slide guitar) and I wan't to start playing mandolin.

So I'm a newb on it (I've played last week but I don't now really how to play)

So, first time, I'll wan't to be light by mandolinists on the great value for money, sure for a good instrument for starting, pleasant to play, and a corrct song.

I'll be glad if you can help me.

Coming Soon ++ http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Charlie.

[man dough nollij]

Hi Charlie, welcome to the cafe!

I'm a relative noob myself, so I don't know if I can answer your question. Will you be playing blues? Do you know what your price range is? Where are you located?

Lee

[Alex Fields]

If you could tell us how much you're willing to spend for a mandolin I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses. Eastman is a common suggestion for a fairly inexpensive mandolin but it really depends on what you can afford.

[Charlieandtheblues]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I'm livin'in France, near Toulouse.
Yes I'll going to play the blues with.

About the price, I've seen some at 80€ (120$) and I'm not sure about the quality, others more but I don't wan't to invest for the first mandolin I'll buy. That's just for learn in the first time.

So, near 150-200$..

Charlie.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Alex Fields]

I don't know anything about the mandolin market in Europe, but in the US at least the best thing at the price level is probably a used A-style Kentucky. I don't know their model numbers well enough to recommend a specific one but someone else probably will.

[Charlieandtheblues]

Thanks for the reply Alex. I'm not obligate to buy mando in Europe.


For example in France, I've this auction:
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.fr/MANDOLINE-PLATE-TABLE-EPICEA-SHERWOOD-SHM25-NEUF-nw_W0QQitemZ360050879664QQihZ023QQcategor

yZ104485QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">Sherwood SHM 25</a>

In dollars near 120$(Is it a good mando for the price and for starting mando playing?)

Now waiting other opinions.:p

Charlie. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Lee Callicutt]

Welcome Charlie. From your musical background it sounds like you'd appreciate a quality instrument. That coupled with the fact that I know nothing about mandolin availability in France means that I would suggest making the short trip to a quality mandolin vendor in the UK.

There are some really fine luthiers just across the channel from you, perhaps some of our UK friends will chime in.

Bon chance! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[JEStanek]

Hmmm... Thought I had posted to this... I'll try again... Must be Monday.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest you get an old Regal Resonator Mandolin. It may be a bit more than what you're looking for (even adding on another $50-70 for a decent set up if you buy an auction mando) but would be great for the genres you play. Otherwise, those Kentucky instruments will fit the bill.

Welcome to the Café!

Jamie

[mandroid]

You will see , by going to: home page,the eye candy link, subset resonator, also some current offerings
of metal and wood body resonators , some built in the UK. & NZ

and Johnson , replica metal 'national' made in the far east. which may be in your afford ability range.

[Charlieandtheblues]

Thanks for replys http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

What I wan't is just entry level for learn with a good price for value.

I've seen a regal resonator mandolin on Ebay US with the auction at 300$, this is too expensive for me.
I don't really play the blues immediately with.

Thanks for your helping! I'm going to search on UK's sailers websites what it happend http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

If you have any reply to send, do it

Charlie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Lee Callicutt]

Try googling Hobgoblin Music UK.

[kestrel]

Charlie -

I don't know if this would help, but you might want to contact Dave Hynds at: mandolinluthier.com. Dave lives, and builds mandolins, in S W France. I would guess that he speaks French, and would be glad to help you. I bought a bridge from Dave, and he was a very pleasant person to work with.

Hope this helps.

Gene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~
Charlie-

Je ne sais pas si cela aiderait, mais vous pourriez vouloir contacter Dave Hynds à : mandolinluthier.com. Dave vit et construit des mandolines, dans S W la France. Je supposerais qu'il parle le français et serait heureux de vous aider. J'ai acheté un pont de Dave et il était une personne très plaisante pour travailler avec.

L'espoir cela aide.

Gène

[Charlieandtheblues]

OOOhhhhhh many many thanks, I'm living in SW France! I'm going to contact him.

That could be very interesting!

Coming back soon to tell you news of this, and take good advices & lessons on mandolins ;)

Thanks everybody for helping !

Charlie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif