Beginner Mandolin

[cachondeo45]

Hello all,

I am new to this site (it came highly recommended!) and am looking to purchase a starter mandolin for $200 or less (including shipping). I have played a Lonestar Roma, but it's been a while. I'm looking for a decent sound for a low price and so far the Lonestar and Epiphone are in the price range but I'm unsure about the quality since I'm relatively new to the instrument. Suggestions on models and websites / stores where I can find them? Any other models you would recommend - Rogue, Lonestar Venice, or others?

[JEStanek]

Welcome to the Café,
I had a Lone Star Venice as my first mandolin. I bought it based on looks. The tuners weren't that great it required a major set up for the nut and bridge to make the action playable. It looked cool and sounded nice.

Important question, what kind of music do you want to play? For $200 or less with shipping I can only recommend the Kentucky KM140S. Solid top bottom rung Kentucky. You may be better off spending $50 on a decent set up on your Roma and saving a bit more $300 to get one of the All Solid wood Kentuckys like a KM150S.

If possible buy used. Try and get solid woods. don't buy from e-bay unless you plan on having a set up done elsewhere. Most online dealers drop ship these with nothing done to them here in the States. Buy from a dealer that provides a set up. Our sponsors are reputable folks, for sure.

Jamie

[cachondeo45]

Jamie,

Thanks for great advice! And to answer your question, bluegrass. I just want to play bluegrass. Thanks again!

[JeffD]

My opinion - $200 doesn't buy a whole lot of mandolin. Don't overlook used -you may buy a better mandolin for the money.

Another way to look at this is - if you have decided that $200 is your mark, and if you have decided on new, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference what you get. You are going to upgrade soon enough no matter what you buy. Just get something at a good price, and get the set up checked. Enjoy the potatoes out of it, learn learn learn, and then try and look for an upgrade that has the decent tone and quality manufacture that you want.

Another thought, can you borrow someone's camping mandolin for a few months or more, for the cost of a case of beer (or what ever is appropriate). That is how I began on fiddle. I borrowed a junker for a year and then later purchased a nicer one when I could appreciate more of the fine points and knew I was really commited to learning it.

[earthsave]

You might search starter or beginner mandolin. I always say, buy from a reputable dealer to ensure you get a playable instrument. Lots out there. Stay away from Musiciansfriend and other wholesale factory sellers that just treat the instrument the same way they'd treat something else in a box with a part number. You might get lucky, but you might get an instrument requiring a setup, which can run you 30-50% of your instrument cost.

elderly.com
fqms.com
janetdavismusic.com

Look in the classifieds here also, or go to a local/regional store and pick a few off the wall and play them. Make sure you pick some higher quality ones to compare with playability and sound.

If your current instrument is playable, keep it and save some money for an upgrade later.

[Folkmusician.com]

In my opinion, Kentucky's rule this price point. Kentucky recently discontinued their two lowest models (the KM-140 and KM140-s). You might get lucky and find a dealer that still has one. The Rover RM-50 is not too bad, but I would steer toward a Kentucky if possible.

The main issue you have in this price range is the setup. Mandolins in the lower price ranges require MORE work than the higher priced instruments, so much so that dealers that do "good" setup work, can't sell them and if you buy a low cost instruments that needs a bridge fitting, string spacing worked on, fret work and a basic setup, you will pay more for setup than you did the mandolin. :)

Finding one used is always a great option. The Kentucky KM-150S is a great mandolin, and there are a handful of dealers that sell them setup. It is only slightly above the $200 mark. :)

[Steve Ostrander]

Definetly Kentucky for your money. Try Dennis at The Mandolin Store.

[Capt. E]

One more vote for Kentucky.
Other than that you are looking at used. I bought a 70's vintage Japanese made mando for $180 that turned out to be a very nice instrument that I will probably never sell, but it still needed set-up work that pushed the price near $300. Some people like Stradolin mandolins. Several professionals play these nice old instruments and they fall in your price range, but I am not sure they are really suitable for bluegrass. Whatever you buy, I am sure you will be upgrading soon enough. My feeling has always been to buy the best you can possibly afford right from the start. Don't sneak up on it. It just costs more in the long run and slows down your progress in learning to play. If you can, I would suggest increasing your limit to something like $500, but I know that may not be possible for you.

[de24]

Welcome!

I recommend shooting for an all solid wood A style instrument. As agreed, a good setup is essential to getting the most out of your instrument and a good reason to steer clear of eBay (even though you may seem like you're getting a good deal).

I have a Michael Kelly A style that I got used from Dennis at the Mandolin Store for about $200 and it has served me well in these lean times. I have no doubt that its performance, volume and playability is due to Dennis' fine setup. The previously mentioned Kentuckys are also a great place to start. You just need something you can beat on at first.

Take a look at all the sellers recommended here (Elderly, Greg Boyd, Gianna Violins, etc) and just send them all an email saying what you're looking for and how much you're willing to spend. They may have something kicking around the shop that might be just right for you and at the right price point.

Good luck! And play everyday. Even if it's just scales of a finger exercise for 10 min. It adds up.

[Rob Powell]

I don't have one of these but I've heard that Rovers are good when setup well. They are made by Saga, the same people who make the Kentuckys and are all solid wood. I believe Elderly sets these up before they go out the door and they sell them for $149 with no case. Right now, Elderly offers free shipping on orders over $149 so you would have to buy something else to get the free shipping. The setup is probably worth $75 so in effect you're getting the mandolin for $74:disbelief:

No financial interest, just passing on what appears to be an incredible deal.

The Rovers certainly don't have the looks of more expensive mandos but the main thing you want to concentrate on is getting a mandolin that stays in tune and one that is easy to play.

[latentaudio]

As a recent new comer to the mandolin, I believe a well set up mandolin is the most important thing to your learning progress.

I had a Kentucky KM 340 that was all solid wood, sounded pretty good but the action was so high, it was better suited to play slide! I really didn't play it too much in the beginning. But after doing a basic setup: mostly lowering the strings and a very little nut work, it really played GREAT.

You can find used KM340's for around $200. Sometimes on ebay sometimes in the classifieds here.

Do you have a music store near you that has some mandolins to try? If so that would be your best starting place.

[GTG]

Whatever happened to Fullerton? I don't really know anything about them, but a year ago (or so), many people were raving about them here on the cafe. Or at least they were saying that they were great value, with several options around $200, IIRC. Did they go belly-up?

[Jim Broyles]

Fullerton was the house brand for Music123, and the corporate decision was made to drop the Fullerton line and continue with Rogue once Guitar Center/Musician's Friend took them over. Owners must like them, because I don't see any for sale anywhere. I would not take $350.00 for my Gloucester.

[devilstone_the_bard]

Yeah another vote here for Kentucky. I have an A shaped F Holed pumpkin coloured one I loan out to people all the time, and pick the heck out of it here when it is home.

Other than that I play 2 Eastmans, trying to make the point (although I am not great yet) that you don't need a 5K instument to make some good music. Don't mis-read this and flame, there definitely is a sweeter sound and a LOT to a more expensive instrument, but you don't NEED one to be good / great.

The KENTUCKY KM-162 MANDOLIN is the one I have.
http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/details.asp?ProductID=KM-162

[Chris Wofford]

It may be worth it to find a local store and see what they have. I bought my cheap beginner from a small local store. They set it up to get it playable. I like buying local when I can. You get to know them and they get to know you and the relationship can be mutually beneficial.

I went in the other day looking for a new book for the next step in my mandolin education and spent 10 minutes with another customer who showed me several books and pointed out the best one. I got the impression that this was not unusual with this store.

[Keith Miller]

Just don't be tempted to go down the Ebay route.. try and try some from a local shop
good luck
Keith

[gibson mandoman]

If you can go $500, then you can buy a Rover RM-75 from Dennis at The Mandolin Store. I bought one from Dennis about two weeks ago, and I am quite pleased at how good this mandolin sounds for the money. I bought this Rover F-style, because I wanted a back up mandolin to my Carlson signed Gibson, and also I wanted a less expensive f-style. Very rich tone for the money. Plays like butter with nice low action thanks to Dennis.

[Jkf_Alone]

About the only beginner mandolins I can recommend are kentuckys. I've tried most everything and the only mandolins under $300 that sound like mandolins are kentuckys. Epiphones are just OK and I don't really think they are a great value for the money.

[fatt-dad]

Well, I know it's not $200.00, but I'd seriously consider holding out for a used Mid Missouri/Big Muddy mandolin. I've seen a few in recent weeks (maybe even now) priced at $350.00 and these will be lifelong mandolins, completly suited for learning what-ever you want to play. When you upgrade, my bet is you'll keep your Mid-Mo/Big Muddy mandolin too.

p.s., I like Kentuckys also. If you see a used KM-180s or KM-250, it'd be worth looking at and likely in your price range.

f-d