Buying a Mandolin off of ebay?

[BriMcFly88]

I want to buy a mandolin and Ebay looks good and cheap. is it too good to be true? If they say brand new Johnson - for $70 or so, is that too good to be true? I'm not sure of prices or worth or brands (only the expensive ones). If they have pictures and all.. can they be trusted?

(assuring me they ship well)

[grandmainger]

Hi!

Let's say this is the one you want to buy (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3738397841&rd=1).
I can't comment on the mandolin itself, though I can't imagine you will get a very good instrument for $69.95.

In terms of reliability, the seller for this auction has been trading on eBay for 7 years, and has traded many instruments before, so I'm sure they can be trusted, but remember that you are paying $70, so don't get your hopes to high about the quality of what you'll get.

Be realistic in your expectations.

Germain

[jim_n_virginia]

Aslong as you buy from someone who has good feedback (and a LOT of it) I would and have trusted people to buy instruments on eBay but I would make sure there is a 48 hour trial period because you are after all buying an instrument without actually playing it.

Of course YOU will have to pay for shipping back. And if someone refuses to a trial period then I probably would not by from them.

And of course it goes without saying that if you buy a $69.00 mandolin off of eBay you will get a cheap Asian import with an American name made with a pressed plywood top.

But then again my first mando I bought out of a pawnshop was one of those cheap imports (I didn't know anything about mandos back then)and I got my fingers in shape on it, partly due to unGodly high action which I didn't know how to adjust!

good luck

[grandmainger]

Same here actually... I bought my first mando second-hand off eBay, for $120... Good enough to get started! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I'd be tempted to save a bit more money and try to buy an entry-level second-hand model in a decent brand... That way, you get something that can sound decent, and also keeps its value much better for when you want to upgrade!

[BriMcFly88]

i want to purchase a mandolin for 150-250, but i want one that sounds good.. what are my options then? i dont want a piece of #### http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[littlebitamando]

I bought my mando off ebay. got an excellant mando for the money, even my instructor thinks so. Remember though for the most part you get what you pay for and a 70.00 mando will be just that.

[aaronbrill]

Like everyone said, don't expect much for that price. #I picked up an A-style Rogue from a local person. #These list retail for about $70-90. #I bought it for something just to play around with and not have to worry about if I take it camping or something. #First, the tuners are trash, the nut is junk with way too high of action, the bridge is nothing to brag about, and the frets and fingerboard needed help. #All in all, it is a decent sounding mandolin, but in stock form, very hard to play. #I ended up pulling the frets out, levelling the fretboard, and refretting with larger fret wire to make it play easier. #I also made a new bone nut for it with the proper slot height. #The things plays pretty nicely now. #I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't think I could have changed the stuff out. #For what I am using it for and the money I have into it, it is not bad though.

So, I guess after all that; don't expect much. #I think some of these lower end models (Rogue, Johnson, etc.) are all made in the same factory more or less, but I don't know for sure.

Aaron

[BriMcFly88]

I dont want a low end model. I want a cheap high end model. For example, Ibanez is a well established electric guitar company. I bought one, but a cheaper one.. so it sounds good but lacks design and detail... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[Jim M.]

One picker's "piece of ****" can be another picker's dream. You can get a reasonable starter mando for the price you want to pay -- and by reasonable I mean playable, will stay in tune, won't fall apart after a few months -- but it's not going to sound good compared to a $1000 mando. In that price range, I'd say Kentucky is your best bet.

Check them out at http://www.gregboyd.com/mando.html

He sells them with a good set-up, which is important for playability. I started with a 150S, got hooked on mando, sold it to another beginner, and bought a more expensive mando within six months. But if you don't have the budget to upgrade right away, it's decent enough to play on for a while. Kentucky also makes a 140S, which has a laminate back but solid top. Less expensive than the 150S but still a good starter.

[Lee]

My first mandolin years ago was an Epiphone MM-30. Since then I have seen many and each one seemed well made, sturdy, with decent tone. For the price.

[sandcastlefaith]

I highly reccomend the Epiphone MM series mandolins. That's what I had, and they play quite a bit like the more expensive Gibsons, just without the frills, and not as loud. They play great and have pretty decent tone too.

[BriMcFly88]

He sells them with a good set-up, which is important for playability.
what do you mean by set-up?

[Jim M.]

If you don't know what set-up is, you probably shouldn't buy off of e-bay. Set-up means that someone has checked to see that the frets are level, the bridge is in the correct position (if it isn't, the notes won't be in tune when you fret them), the bridge is the right height, the slots in the nut and bridge are cut and spaced correctly. The factory made imports seldom, if ever, come with a good set-up. Without a good set-up, playing can be difficult and frustrating.

[grandmainger]

If you like big brands:

You can get an Epiphone MM20 from here (http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?SKU=EF20) for $190 (that's a shop)

Or on ebay:

Epiphone Black MM20 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3738304759&rd=1) for $160
and Epiphone MM30 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3739149260&rd=1) for $190

[BriMcFly88]

And basically.. if its a brand and not used, it has been set-up properly? I like the black MM20 http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blues.gif

[grandmainger]

And basically.. if its a brand and not used, it has been set-up properly?
Not really...
There are many tweaks you can do to a mandolin to set it up properly as it were. I suspect these tweaks are difficult/impossible to do on super cheap mandolins. I reckon you get a better base on a gibson than on a johnson... Once you have it you can always take it to a music store and have them tweak it to achieve best sound.

The MM20 is a good starter. You can adjust the bridge to modify the sound, and it is overall quite well made.

[Jasper]

My two cents worth...DON'T BUY A CHEAP MANDOLIN, not even to start. #Go try some out in music stores with various price tags up to say $500. You will see a major difference in the action and sound. #Then see if you can buy the same mandolin on the internet. #My current mandolin retails for $800, but I paid $450 on the internet. #

I started on a $100 mandolin by Bean Blossom and it was virtually impossible to play clean chop chords because it hurt my fingers so much. #My instructor could do it, but he's been playing 20+ years. #Once you find something you like, hopefully it is in your price range. #I would invest a little cash and get a good mandolin with a solid top, either A- or F-style. #The A-styles tend to be more affordable even with solid top, back, and sides. Choose one with F-holes to get a better bluegrass punch if that's the style you want to play, otherwise the oval hole will do.

Sincerely,

Jasper

[Bill Snyder]

My first mando was one of those cheap Johnson's. They don't look bad and they are very playable. Intonation is not tops, tone is what you would expect from a cheap, plywood topped mando. I filed the nut to allow for smoother tuning and built a new bridge for it (mostly because I was in the process of building a mando from scratch and wanted to try a bridge similar to Red Henry's).
I think if you could go $200-250 you could get something that sounds MUCH better, but you could still learn on the Johnson. I know that the solid topped Fender mandolins in the local guitar shop sound much better than the Johnson (although Johnson does build some solid wood mandos) and the Fender was around $200.

[Bill Snyder]

As far as a brand new mandolin being set-up properly there is a good chance that it has not been. Factories cranking out thousands of these don't spend time on set-up.
There have been threads about people having their not-so-cheap, factory built mandolins properly set-up after playing them for some time and it making a huge differnce in playablity and tone.

[mad dawg]

Do you have a mandolin dealer near you with a selection of used mandolins? If so, you might want to visit them, talk to them about what you want and how you'll be using it, and play a variety to see what works best for you. For example, there is a dealer near me (in the Bay Area) with several decent used all-solid Stradlins, Harmony's, and Kay's, and new all-solid Kentucky's, but the best way to make the call on which is the best match is to visit in person.

[fatt-dad]

Here is what I have for sale. All come with hard (chipboard noted) cases and straps. All are readily playable and in very good (or better) condition. None are in need for repair. Prices do not include shipping, which should be about $20.00 insurred. All can be returned within 48 hours for full refund, other than shipping.

Alvarez A-100 – made in Japan, excellent condition and playability, solid birds eye maple back and sides, solid spruce top, wooden binding, standard fretboard, A-body with f-holes, marked hand made. Non-original “featherweight” hard-shell case. This is not like the current Alvarez mandolins. $325.00

Kentucky KM-180s – made in Korea, excellent condition, solid spruce top and mahogany sides and back (may be laminated), extended fretboard (clear to the 14th fret), A-body with f-holes, chipboard case, missing tailpiece cover, plays great. $215.00.

Kentucky KM-160s – made in Japan, excellent condition, solid spruce top, mahogany sides and back (may be laminated), extended fretboard, A-body with f-holes, original hard shell case. $235.00

Ibanez A5-L knockoff. Original hard-shell case, but the lining is coming apart. Former owner etched an identifying number on the reverse side of the head stock (not very apparent). Some chips in the finish. No cracks. Great bluegrass sound and great looks. Neck joint at the 14th fret. Solid spruce top, solid maple sides and back (I think it is a one-piece slab back). Originally purchaed from Gruhns. This is a nice mandolin. $650.00.

Vega VM-10 – made in Japan, excellent condition, spruce top, mahogany sides and back (likely laminated), standard fretboard, A-body with f-holes, chipboard case. Plays great. $190.00.

Alvarez A-400 – made in Japan, excellent condition, solid spruce top, solid mahogany sides and back. This is a clone of a Martin-style mandolin. Oval sound hole. Purchased from an older player from Chicago, who took lessons from Jethro Burns (he said that Jethro loved his mandolin). Marked hand made. Original hard shell case. $300.00.

Fender FM-61SE – Eight string hollow body acoustic-electric mandolin. In like-new condition, other than a nick on the reverse side of the headstock (from leaning against the wall). Sunburst finish with separate tone and volume controls. Original hard-shell case. This is a discontinued Fender acoustic-electric model from about 4 to 5 years ago. $395.00

Yasuma YM-130 – made in Japan, solid spruce top, solid maple sides and back (some flame in the maple), Standard length fretboard, A-body with f-holes. Original hard shell case. Very good condition. $265.00.

Kalamazoo KM- (I cannot remember the model number right now). Great playability, but several cosmetic items – a repaired crack on the back and a ball-point-pen like mark on the top. Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan c. 1930s. Flat-top, oval hole mandolin with sunburst finish and tortise-like pickguard. Solid spruce top and mahogany sides and back. Original chipboard case. $450.00

Aria M-100. made in Japan. Solid spruce top, mahogany sides and back (likely solid also), A-body with f-holes, near-mint condition, but has a slight blemish against the fretboard where the pickguard was removed. Original hard-shell case. $220.00

email fatt-dad@richmond.com for photos if you are interested.

[BriMcFly88]

^ do you sell on ebay..

[fatt-dad]

Well, I have both sold and bought on ebay. I am not under any pressure to sell and seeing an interest in mandolins in the price range of what I have to offer, I just dangled the hook.

f-d

[Jim M.]

Actually, buying from a regular here at the Cafe is generally much better than buying from e-bay. You're more likely to be dealing with someone dependable, and you're more likely to get the instrument as described. You might want to consider fatt-dad's mandos, but also check the classifieds yourself for other mandos in your range.

[elenbrandt]

If you are a real novice in the land of mando...better to visit a brick and mortar establishment to launch you correctly. #Yes, ebay is usually cheaper, but not really. #As indicated earlier, the instruments usually don't come set up. #If you have to ask what "set up" is, better to go to someone who works with you and the instrument at the time of purchase and later. #It is also nice to establish a relationship with a dealer who has a face, can answer questions, tweak your instrument for you, and make a sometimes daunting thing easier. #Last, but not least, it is always a good idea to support your local merchant who finds it hard to compete with on-line sales who don't have 1/2 the overhead he has to pay. If we don't support them, they won't be there when we need them. The instruments you discussed indicate that you are not intending to purchase an advanced-quality instrument, but rather beginner's models -- start out right. Just my 2 cents... # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

p.s. try to buy the best instrument you can afford -- it does make a big difference when you are first learning...

[ericwall]

Ok, ok, I couldn't resist. About 4 years ago, I decided to pick up (struggle with) the mandolin. I had played guitar for about 35 years. So I went around to local shops to try mandos in a low price range. Keep in mind I had to ask the shop owners to teach me chords! I read alot off comando which helped a great deal. I didn't want to pay much to start- thinking I might not stay with it. But each time I tried an instrument out of price price range- even with my limited mando playing, I loved it.

I had just about settled on a Weber Absaroka (I started looking first at Mid-Mo's) when I stumbled on a Lebeda Premium F5. Way way out of my price range. Idiotic for someone who could play about 3 chords.

So then one went up on ebay at a great price. And in a moment of insanity, I put in a bid. And I lost. But the seller was a dealer (in Germany) and had another one with pearloid rather than wood tuning pegs. Was I interested? I emailed him back and forth. I checked his website. There was a guarantee- but who wants to mail your instrument back to Germany when you don't like it? Yes, I took the plunge and 2 weeks later, it arrived on my doorstep (literally). It was gorgeous!!! Perfect!!!

And over the last 3 years, it has opened up magnificently. And after that investment, believe me I went out to learn how to play. And though I'm one step above a rank beginner, it continues to motivate my playing.

A few final comments:
1. Would I do that again? No- I know too much now. I know more about tone, about mandolins in general, about what I like. Keep in mind I did play a Lebeda before I purchased one. Did I realize that each instrument was an individual on their own? No. I don't think I could do this kind of purchase blind (as I did)- or deaf without a hands-on trial. And I think most players would second that.
2. Did I get a good deal? Absolutely- a great deal. But I was lucky and researched the hell out of this purchase.
3. Does a good instrument (stretching your wallet) make a difference? Well, it sure makes the picking of this poor picker sound sweet to my ears- and I think that's what it's all about. Buy the best instrument you can afford! You won't regret it!
All the best,
Eric

[Fstpicker]

Thanks all of you for sharing your experiences with us "beginners". I'm kind of in a similar situation having only played Mando for about 2 years and finding myself looking for a relatively inexpensive, yet good sounding/playing solid wood mando at the present time. Like some other posters, I don't have several hundred dollars to spend so I'm kind of limited in what I can get for the money. My range is around $200 or so max. And I need one with a fairly wide nut width, not the skinny-width neck of many "F" models out there. I prefer an "A" model myself. Thanks.

Jeff

[JeffS]

I bought the "Learn Mandolin" package from Musicians Friend for $79 back in March. Not a great mandolin but it was the best $79 I ever spent. That being said, had I spent $250 for a Kentucky or $700 on a Michael Kelly I'd probably be saying the same thing and I wouldn't be in the market for a better mandolin now. Still, I haven't put the Rogue down since I got it. I play it every night when I get home from work. On rainy days I sit on the porch for hours and play it, mainly because the thing only sounds good on rainy days.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if I'd like the mandolin but for me it has been the perfect instrument. I have 3 guitars collecting dust and I thought the mando might end up the same way and it hasn't. So for me, those really cheap mandolins have a purpose. And with the Rogue I haven't had any major problems. The tailpiece cover never really fit so I just tossed it in the gig bag. I had some problems with dead sounding strings but replacing them took care of that. I have a feeling the cheap Johnsons are very similar if not the same as the Rogue I play. They have a banjo sound to them unless you play outside in the rain like I do. For $200 or less you should be able to get a nice solid wood Kentucky A model in decent condition. Check here, keep watching eBay, and take a look at Elderly and Folk of the Wood. The latter has really nice videos of certain models being demoed.

[chipotle]

My first (and present) mandolin was purchased as a gift to me on Ebay from my wife. It is a Johnson A style f hole with rotten tuners. But I am learning on it. ..I'm sure the Rouge is the same thing.

While this was a gift from my wife and I appreciate it, dollar for dollar on a new learner I would get a mid missouri. I had one as a loaner from my teacher and you can really tell the differnce in tone.