MK or Washburn?

[midmando]

What do you think? #I know every Washburn guitar I've played has great playability, but not much in the sound department. #Are the mandos the same? #I don't need to know any other brands right now - just a comparison between these two. #Would you pick an MK F or a Washburn A? #Thanks.

[Professor PT]

MK "F" all the way, baby!

[bjc]

Brad...just bought an MK Legacy and love it...the tone is exceptional...for the money...I play one Washburn and didn't care for it...but then again it was only one...I'd go MK

[Unseen122]

Go for a Kentucky it may run ya a few extra 100s but it is worth every cent. Just got one and for what I paid it is amazing the price is a steal. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[trialjeff]

I would HIGHLY recommend the MK...head and shoulders above the Washburn in terms of sound. My problem with MK's have been the finish; the binding is on the rough side. However, I recently bought a MK Evolution, which is bindingless, and it's as sweet to look at as it is to play.

[midmando]

Well I bought the MK - and I think I got a good deal - $300 on ebay. I'll let you know when I get it what I think of it.

Thanks all.
Brad

[doublestop]

I wouldn't recommend a Washburn F. Their mando quality is not the same as their guitar quality. I should say their f models. Their A's sound pretty darn good.

[JDSmith]

Have you considered Morgan Monroe? I have an MCM-TB that has great tone and stays in tune like a charm. In the same price range as the MK's too. Just MHO.

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

[John Zimm]

I love my Mk and will always recommend them. I've got a Firefly Flame that is very beautiful to look at and sounds very good as well.

-John.

[beachbum]

Ditto on the Evolution. I love mine!

[jessboo]

theres a Jack Weldrick in the classifieds for $750 that would be a good consideration along with washburn or the mk

[midmando]

Thanks guys - I've made my decision and it should be here next week on the UPS truck. I appreciate all your suggestions

[JDSmith]

So what did you end up going with?

[midmando]

The reason I asked specifically about the Washburn A and MK F is I was looking at both on ebay - the washburn was an oval hole model - sharp looking. The MK had some finish damage, which brought the price down to about half what MK's usually go for, so I wound up going with that - it was advertised as an FS, but I'm pretty sure from the picture that it's a Solid - bottom of the line MK.

According to the tracking number it will be here next Thursday.

[levin4now]

I was surprised but I think my mandolin was the only MK at the Kaufman Kamp last week. Alot of people played it. A few of the instructors liked the sound of it as well. I get a lot of compliments when I'm chopping behind someone as well. That's good to get once in awhile.

[midmando]

Well, it showed up at the door yesterday. I didn't have much time with it last night - just enough to tune it up and play just a little. Spent a little more time with it this morning - I'll just say I'm not sorry I bought it. Has a nice sound, plays easier than anything else I've played (which is exclusively under $2k instruments), intonates well all over the board, and looks pretty good too. Like I said, haven't had enough time to form more of an opinion than that - but I was a little nervous never having played or heard an MK - really just going off the good reviews I've seen here on the cafe.

Oh yeah, the case was decorated with a MandolinCafe Sticker http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Christine W]

Brad,
I'm glad you like it. It's always a risk when you buy #and istrument sight un-seen or more importantly un-played. But glad things turned out well.