Hello, new member here!

[Jonathan A.]

Just thought I'd make a post to say hey to everyone here.

I have just recently decided to take up the mandolin. I have been playing both acoustic and electric guitar for quite a few years now and I decided that I would take up mandolin too.

I have been researching the mandolin for about a week now and I am planning to buy my first mandolin next weekend. I am currently studying my first year degree in Music Performance where my first instrument is guitar, so I have good knowledge and understanding of notes, chords, scales etc. So I am guessing the mandolin shouldn't be too difficult for me to pick having good fretboard knowledge already.

Anyway I am looking forward to starting my mandolin journey very soon!

[JeffD]

Welcome aboard.

I predict that after you get over the small fretboard, and two frets per finger, you will become addicted to the mandolin. It just makes so much sense. As you probably know it is tuned in regular intervals - no fault line of inconsistency across the neck to negotiate. And then, if you had to pick an interval to which to tune, what could be better than that king of intervals - the fifth! Chords and harmonies and scales all make sense, nice neat patterns that work not only up and down the neck, but back and forth across the strings.

Well its obvious perhaps that I love the thing. And I suspect you will to.

[JEStanek]

Welcome aboard, Jonathan. We're glad you're here and will gladly offer lots of advice. Some of it may even be useful!

Jamie

[Jim]

Welcome ! I wish I was getting a new mandolin next weekend. I'm sure you'll love it. Mandolin has made me a better guitar player.

[mandolooter]

Welcome to the club!

[Jonathan A.]

Thanks for the welcome guys!

What would be the best kind of mandolins to look into? I've got a budget of £200 ($400) to spend.

[Michael Gowell]

Do NOT set a purchase date - it's a severe and unnecessary limitation on your research. Buy Used, for sure - let the first owner take the big depreciation hit. Look hard at the A styles -"teardrop" describes the A shape, in contrast to the F shape with the scroll and points. An A is likely to produce better sound than an F at a given price point - the builder can concentrate more on sound than aesthetics. LISTEN carefully and compare as many mandos as possible at once - seek out the best used instrument stores for the widest selections. Hear the differences between oval hole mandos (generally mellow, best played alone or with a few other instruments playing moderately) and f-hole mandos (generally more cutting, can compete in an agressive instrumental setting like bluegrass). Try to find a teacher or collector who can guide you by sharing/showing their own instruments . PERSONAL OPINION AHEAD; Occasionally you may find a great no-name, but generally speaking, at the approx. $400 price point you name, there is not much of decent quality available. I'd look for an older, used solid-wood Stradolin at an online auction site ($100-200) and be prepared to spend another $100 beyond your bid for repairs and setup. If you could spend twice your budget - $800 - your best hope would likely be a plain and much played/decently repaired 'teens Gibson A than a shiney new something else.

[woodwizard]

Wecome and enjoy your mandolin journey.

[phiddlepicker]

Welcome aboard!

[Jonathan A.]

Thanks for your reply guys!

I was at the store today and I have my eye on a Savannah SA-120 NA. I've read that they are supposed to be pretty decent mandos for someone just starting out, but I already have knowledge of the fretboard, chords, scales harmonies etc so would it be the right choice for me?

[JEStanek]

The Savanah 120 can be a good starter. Be sure you buy it from a shop that sets the instrument up. You'll also want to change the strings to something better like D'Addario J74s to start. It's an all solid wood instrument similar to the Kentucky KM150S.

Jamie

[PhilTod]

Welcome Jonathan from another new member! I also am a guitar first guy, but the mandolin has really grown on me as of late. This is certainly the right place to show up for all things mandolin! Hope you enjoy yourself here as I have. Best, Phil

[Carolyn Hastings]

I'm new, too. I've been lurking for a few months though. Hello! Hello fellow new people!

[B. T. Walker]

Welcome to all the noobs posting in this thread. We're glad you're with us.

[JeffD]

Welcome one and all!

[Martin Jonas]

Jonathan,

From the fact that you give your budget as £200, I presume you're in the UK. If you're anywhere near Brighton, I suggest you make the trip to the Acoustic Music Company (http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/erol.html#120x0) and have a word with Trevor there. He has by far the best selection of mandolins in the UK, and pretty keen prices too.

There are a few decisions for you to make, regarding what style of mandolin you prefer (which partially depends on what style of music you want to play). The main choices are:

1) Archtop, f-holes.
2) Archtop, oval hole.
3) Flat top, oval hole.

If you specifically want to play bluegrass, option (1) is probably the one for you. (3) is the most guitar-like and the most popular in the UK for Irish and Scottish session musicians. (2) is probably the most versatile one as it will work just fine in just about any genre, assuming you get a decent one.

Within your budget, I note that Trevor has the Kentucky KM-172 for £179.95. This is an all-solid wood, carved-top, oval hole mandolin. I haven't played one, but they are supposed to be decent, and I really like the looks of this one -- I think the amber colour looks much classier that the typical sunburst most cheaper models favour. Try it before you buy, if you can.

Otherwise, at your price point things are a decidedly mixed bag. Eastman and JBovier are good brands of import mandolins, but they start around £350. UK luthier-made flattops start around £400. Both may be available second-hand for not much above your budget. Good US flattops are potentially cheaper, but just about impossible to find in the UK. If you can find a used Mid-Missouri, you should jump on it -- I've seen them very very occasionally offered for around £250 used in the UK.

Martin

[Tony Polecastro]

Welcome, I think you'll take to the mandolin right away! You are defnitely in the right place to learn!