new mandolin

[rambleon02]

Ok, so after a few days of deciding which mandolin I should buy to start my mandolin career, I've narrowed it down to a few. But the one thats in the lead now is this baby....what do you guys think of itnice or not? (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040702160713141158156140295954/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/516707/)

[Scotti Adams]

depends on what kind of music you play wether it warrants a nice or not from me...you need to elaborate.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[neal]

Great one to start on. You'll find it sustains well, and has a fullsound and easy playability, at least that's the hope. When you get it from MF don't expect a dead on set-up. But if you're learning on it, it's a good place to start.

If you stay with it, you'll be trading up within the year.

[Damnation Gulch]

I used to really love Ovation Guitars as a kid. Not so much as an adult... I'm a novice as well but would think you would want more of an earthly tone. I played a Gibson F9 yesterday btw and was no more impressed than the pac-rim I now own. As some would complain, the inside of the scroll was not finished, while crafted of fine wood the tone was hit or miss...

Check this link out and see if it helps you at all. You'll need good speakers but I think the tone on most comes through. Im not advertising for the seller but I think it helps with a general decision:

http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm

[Rick Schmidlin]

No, go Weber because there is more to choose from.

Rick:cool:

[mandorado]

I would bet money ... you're gonna wish you had saved a little longer and got a better instrument to start with.

[Bandersnatch Reverb]

Ovations have a tendancy to sound softer to the player than they do to the listener! Sayin' that so you wont wonder where all the volume is - its projected out fairly stronly.

The only caution I'd give you on the Applause is to use some light strings on it, like the .009 Ernie Balls, or .010 (whoever's) max. There is no relief adjustment on the Applause neck, so you really need to watch the tug the strings put on it. Other than that... play the heck out of it!

[Hoovetone]

I agree with Mandorado. On the other hand, if you are a rank rookie, you could learn on it.

[potatoe]

i never like how they looked, but if it floats your boat, then thats all that matters.



that folk of the woods link is nearly mandolin porn. much appreciated!

[Unseen122]

I have heard that the Ovations sound more like little guitars than Mandolins but it would be better than what I started on. FOTW link is like playboy radio except with mandolins. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[rambleon02]

well it was just one of my choices, id really liek a michael kelly but they are a little pricey...tho im always open to suggests from you guys. . . actually im highly considering this one what do you think? (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040702160713141158156140295954/g=guitar/s=orig_acoustic/search/detail/base_pid/518032/)

[ira]

there are people who swear by tacoma. i know there have been threads about them.

[Dolamon]

The Ovation and the Kentucky 340 both CAN be good instruments to start with ... if they are set up properly. While neither instrument is known as a 'banjo killer', when you are starting to play, what is desired is easy playability and a low price.

Musicians Friend has their own logo / line of products which were rated very highly here a year or so ago - for the price.Rogue Mandolin Kit (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040703033549066167223182593120/g=guitar/s=orig_acoustic/search/detail/base_pid/519275/) - this is really an unknown commodity for me as I've never played one but people I respect have gotten them as second mando's or gifts for starting players and were amazed at the playablity and the sound. With any of these instruments - assume you may need another 50.00 / 75.00 or so to get it set up for maximum playability.

Something else to add to the mix - from the same source.

Good luck -

[Damnation Gulch]

"FOTW link is like playboy radio except with mandolins."

LOL...cheers!

I would say that if you're willing to go $300 just save another hundred or so and look around on ebay. You would be surprised what you can find:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....09&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3733958309&rd=1)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....08&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3733405708&rd=1)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....05&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3732988605&rd=1)

[Unseen122]

If you do get a Kentucky atleast get a 350. I have a 380 incredible value I say they are just as good as any MKs. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Bandersnatch Reverb]

I have a Tacoma, the M1, low end one.

Plays VERY well. Sound is what it is - its not an archtop, its a flattop. The build quality is great, as long as you're not turned off by a bolt on neck (like most Tacoma's have). The neck joint is, however, not like a Fender. It's gap-free and tight as can be. Radius is nice on the fretboard.

My only complaint is the tailpiece. It sucks. Eight strings on four posts. Break a string (and I have), and its a double restring. PITA. It also has a non standard layout for the tailpiece, so it's gonna be hard to fit a traditional one. Oh well... for the price, you gotta expect some compromise.

[rambleon02]

wow, thanks i totally forgot about ebay

[neal]

Go with unseen 122, his recc on the 350. it's solid woods, the 340 is solid top, laminate back and sides. You may not notice the diff in sound, but when you sell it, it'll be easier.

[steve in tampa]

Get something you enjoy playing. Try out several. If you stick with it you will end up owning several!

[rambleon02]

I'd like to but the problem is all of the music stores around here only sell generic brand mandolins that are either used or warped, the nicest one I have seen was an Epiphone electric mandolin, and I don't like epiphone very much, plus they were charging a rediculous price. . . so as of right now I am going with the Kentucky. Anyone have any experience with em?

[Unseen122]

Yes my Kentucky is great and the value is incredible I still say go with the 350 or 380 but if that is all you can afford. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[potatoe]

low end kentuckys are some of the best sounding mandolins in their price range. go for one.

[rambleon02]

ok guys thanks for the input, i really appreciate it. . .otherwise id probably be stuck with some ###### generic brand that would wear out in a few months

[ira]

kentucky 150s. mine was quite servicable for me, though i can't imagine that they are not extremely variable in their playability and tone. however, the price is right and it is better than most of the other things around in the 200 or less price range.

[STLmandoteacher]

I'm with majority here. #The low end Kentucky mandos are great for the price. #I recommend them to all of my students that are just starting out. #We also rent mandos at the store, and once people decide to buy, we move a lot of them into a Kentucky 150. #I'm almost sure the store sells more of them than any other mandolin. #

I've played every 150 that came onto the sales floor for last couple of years. #For the most part they all sound similar, and with a good setup job, they can play great. #With a decent set of strings and a case, you can be in business for less than $300. #If you want to play electric mando, you can feel good about building a pickup onto a cheap mando. #It just kills me seeing people carve into the vintage stuff!

[Greg H.]

I tend to agree that a Kentucky will give you a much better mandolin sound for the money. If you were wanting to play predominantly electric mandolin then the applause might be a good way to go (that's their strong point, less feedback with decent tone plugged in) but if you want to play acoustically the Applause would leave you disappointed rather quickly. While you may get a mandolin less expensively through Ebay, you'll probably also have to pay to have a good repair person set it up. An alternative to that would be to go through a dealer whose set up quality is more reliable (e.g. Greg Boyd (http://www.gregboyd.com/) or Elderly (http://www.elderly.com/)). With these two, you are likely to have a mandolin that's playable out of the case rather than requiring a lot of additional set-up work.

[8ch(pl)]

There are a couple of starters in the classifieds, a Bruno and another listed as an A style. Bothe priced well for a beginner. When you upgrade sell them for what you paid, or keep as a beater.

[mandroid]

Weber sweet pea or Martin backpacker seem well made and the best way to learn is to always have it at hand for even a few minutes of pickin. <'dont leavehome without one'>
I have a MBP and its decent a good player even if odly shaped,
I sanded a trifle off the bridge and the action is good too.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif