New here: help coming back to the "sport"

[arbik]

Hello everyone,

So the short of it is, my father played the mandolin when I was a kid. I really wanted to play the guitar, but we didnt have one, so I had no choice but to learn how to play the mandolin. This was about 20 years ago. I've been playing guitar for the last 10 years or so. I found myself at the guitar centers, playing with that MCS-148, and I decided I'd like to come back to playing the mandolin.
I need to buy one, that is not to expensive, but is a decent mandolin.
I was all ready to pull the trigger on the Ovation MCS-148 until I read that its not liked very much.

any recommendations for a mandolin that is decent for under 400 dollars?

I'd much appreciate any advice you can give me on this, and I look forward to playing again.

-arbi

[Caleb]

I was all ready to pull the trigger on the Ovation MCS-148 until I read that its not liked very much.
For what it's worth, what others think about your instrument isn't really all that important; it's what you get out of it that matters. If you find something that makes you want to make music, by all means, go for it. There's nothing wrong with an Ovation.

Best of luck in your search.

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

[JEStanek]

Arbik,
Welcome to the Mandolin Café. For $400 you will get the most mandolin in an A style rather than an F style. You will also get more from a used instrument than from a new one. At the top of your range will be used Eastman mandolins in either an oval or f hole. They are hand carved and have thin finishes. You may be able to get a used one at $400. The next ones I would recommend are the Kentucky line of instruments. You can get a great starter in a 150S (all solid wood A style with F holes) for around $200-250 from a decent dealer set up and ready to play on. You could spend cloder to $400 on other Kentucky models as well but I would recommend you spend your money on an A style.

Other things to look for, used Mid Missouri (these aren't made any more) but you may find one. If you deal with a decent dealer of older instruments you may be able to get an older Stradolin as well. If you get one of those, be sure the dealer stands behind the instrument being playable (any used one). Our sponsors are good resources. It's a good idea to call up the dealers and be firm about your budget and see what they have that will work for you. If they only push the $400 end and don't offer up ideas elsewhere in your range you might want to choose another...

These will be good instruments, when properly set up, and, will allow you to learn and get your skills. Later you may spend more or feel you don't need to. Have fun. I would be happy to have any of the ones I mentioned.

Jamie

[arbik]

I live in Los Angeles.
What is a good used mandolin dealer around here?
anyone know?

[mandozilla]

Hi Arbik,
Try McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, Boulevard Music (?)in Culver City, World of Strings (?) in Long Beach, Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor in Chatsworth, or the Fret House in Covina...hope this helps. There's alot of pawn shops in the LA area as well...I've not checked them out myself but you never know?