Seeking opinions about a potential first mandolin purchase`

[brandonr79]

Found the following model mandolin on craigslist nearby - a Fender FM52E:

www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=0955205032

MSRP says $340, but seller is offering $100.

Assuming no cracks in the soundboard, other damage, etc., does this sound like a goodbuy for someone wishing to purchase his first mandolin?

I've played piano for 25 years, guitar for about 20, and fooled around on various other instruments, including a buddy's mandolin in college. I'd really like to make mandolin my next serious instrument.

So I was hoping to get some general opinions from the expert forum on this model mandolin (fm52e). Thanks! Glad to be on the forum!

[Jim MacDaniel]

I purchased one of these for my first mandolin without doing any research first, and quickly upgraded to an all solid mandolin without a pickup after several months of playing, once I learned a little more about what was out there. This is an OK mandolin to learn on, but the pickup is merely adequate, and mine sounded pretty thin and was not loud at all unplugged.

If you can spend a little more, perhaps between $250 - $500, this will open up several respectable new options to you, and many more fine used instuments. And for yet a little more and you can get a new flat-top built for you by luthiers such as a Redline, Big Muddy, and Gypsy's Music. To help us offer suggestions tailored to your needs, what is the upper limit of your budget, what sort of music do you intend to play on it, and in what sort of settings will you play (i.e., at home, in jams/sessions, on stage).

[CES]

Agree...fine to learn on, but that's about it...for the price, assuming no structural issues and a reasonable set-up, it should do OK, but I agree you'll be looking to upgrade soon. You may get more mileage out of a Kentucky 150 or 505, or a used Eastman, MK, etc, but there's nothing inherently wrong with the Fender you're looking at. Equate it to the entry-level offerings Fender has in acoustic guitar, in that they're fine to learn on and some are actually decent, but for a few more bucks an all solid Blue Ridge, Alvarez, or Seagull may get you more bang...

[mrmando]

I really wouldn't bother with an FM52E. Maybe it would be OK if you were an absolute beginner, but you're not. I'll go out on a limb and suggest that your experience with guitars and pianos has taught you something about telling a good instrument from an inadequate one. It would indeed help to know what your budget is, but there are affordable mandolins that will serve you much better than the FM-52E.

[Rob Gerety]

With all your music experience I predict that you very quickly feel the need to move up to one of the models mentioned above. If you can't manage the extra money, then sure - go with this and it will be fine for a while. But if you can swing it - you'll be a lot happier up a notch as others have suggested.

[Matt DeBlass]

If you spend a bit more (not always an option, I know) you can do better. I've got a Rover mandolin I got for around $150 and have been pleasantly surprised by. It doesn't compare with the multi-thoussand dollar instruments out there, but it plays in tune and sounds nice enough for serenading drunk pubgoers.
Look for something that specifies a solid, preferably carved, top. You'll probably find plywood "select maple" sides but in the realm of financial triage the top is most important.

[jim_n_virginia]

find a used Eastman ... you'll outgrow that Fender very quickly. :mandosmiley: