HELP!....please.

[freshwire]

Hi folks!
I'm a guitar player by nature, but I've ALWAYS wanted a mando. Now I find myself in this quasi-Celtic outfit, and I actually NEED an electric mando for some of the stuff we want to do..but what do I buy? On ebay I've seen no less than 6000 $80.00 models by Johnson and the like...yeah, I know, you're cringing as I say that name...but I'd rather not spend a fortune. The Crafter guitar shaped mando(mando blasphemy?) looks cool and is around $230.00 with a case...anyone have any experience with these? or could anyone suggest a decent ax in the 2 to 3 hundred dollar range and also a good beginner's book or software for learning how to make one of these things bark?

[Steve L]

Hi,

For an instrument in your situation and price range, I would look at a Fender FM52E which is an A style with a single coil pick up. You can get one new under $300.

For books, I would recommend Simon Mayers Mandolin Tutor and Padraig Carroll's "Irish Mandolin". Both use notation and come with CDs. I think both of these guys have instructional videos as well.

I switched over from rock guitar to Irish mando years ago and I've never enjoyed playing music more.

Good luck!

[steve in tampa]

The Fender is a great choice with the single coil pickup. When amplifiying, a piezo pickup has different considerations, and tons less flexibility in shaping the sound.

[trent.727]

Try playing a Godin A-8. It does have a piezo pickup, but it also has an onboard equalizer.

[freshwire]

Wow!
Thanks for all the great info.,people! I tried a Fender in the local shop, but I think it was running through a funky amp and I didn't much care for the sound, of course, I'm also hindered by the fact that I have basically NO idea what I'm doing,or what constitutes a "good" mando tone... on my best day I can play the very simple,yet glorious mando part to Maggie Mae! I think I should try the Fender at another shop that carries the amp I use for guitar...the Fender Acoustasonic Junior...that should work well for a single coil setup, shouldn't it?

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions!

[sbarnes]

i'm a pseudo guitar player, real keyboard player that also needed an electric mando.....i got the fender you're speaking about and it has been great....a professional set up would help wonders (the intonation on mine was off quite a bit) but otherwise i like it alot....be careful though, these little things are highly addictive....i'm even getting the fever for an 'f' now....

[Greenmando]

Mandobird