I know nothing. Please help!

[queenspammy]

I don't know why, but when I was at a music store near my house I had to pick up a mandolin and test it out, I know nothing about them or even how to play but I thought it sounded beautiful. So I thought it over and I really want to give it a shot and try to play. My only problem though is I need to know what a good brand to learn on would be, one that could hold me over for a while. Please help me, I would really like to learn as much as I could about this instrument!

[FrankenMouse]

Welcome!

What kind of music would you like to play? What's your budget? Do you want a new mandolin, or would a used/vintage one be okay? Are tone and playability your major concerns, or does style matter too? The more specific you are, the more helpful the advice you'll receive.

Again... welcome to the Mandolin Cafe. You'll like it here.

Mike

[fatt-dad]

The prevailing thought is if you pick up a mandolin and it sounds wonderful - buy it! That said, you should spend a little time going to several music stores and not only look at your budget but also look at some of the differences in tone - flat top, arch top, oval hole, f-holes. If you want to get a mandolin with some potential for use over several years, consider buying one with (at a minimum) a solid wood top. There are many low-end mandolins made from real pretty plywood (i.e., laminate). These typically loose their tone/volume when playing with others. You will notice F-style mandolins (the one with the scroll) and A-style mandolins both with arch tops and f-holes. The F-style's cost more, but for starting out the difference is more looks then tone (not to start an argument at the cafe).

For folky/celtic/old time mandolin, many like the flat top mandolins ala Mid Missouri (I have never played one of these, but they must be good from all of the press at the Cafe.) Oval hole arch top mandolins are also suited for folky/celtic/old time playing. For the bluegrass most go with the arch top A- or F-style mandolin.

Be patient with developing your callouses. Play every day, even if it is the same few chords or some basic scales. Learn the notes on the fretboard and use these to keep at it (help with your calloses). Find some folks to play with and learn some basic tunes, like Arkansas Traveller, Liberty, Red-Haired boy, etc.

Download the TabEdit program and some TabEdit files to get some practice tunes (see www.mandozine.com) The TabEdit program lets you "hear" the computer play the tune and then you have a reference to learn it on your own. The download is free, but the full-program has a cost.

Enjoy!

(Did I mention that I have some mandolins for sale in the under $250.00 range - perfect for starting out, hard shell case, strap, etc.)?

Fatt-dad

[8ch(pl)]

look at a Mid Missouri, they have caught on well. They normally have a good setup, they are US made and solid wood construction. They are not fancy but are elegant in their plain looks. i love mine.

[Bob DeVellis]

I think playability is THE most important consideration for a beginner instrument. Frankly, most beginners don't fully appreciate differences in tone until they've been playing for a while and have gotten to hear a bunch of mandolins. That was certainly my experience when I started. But difficulty playing will be immediately evident and is a huge barrier to progress and enjoyment. Unfortunately, even a mandolin that plays well will feel strange and probably be hard to note cleanly to a beginner. It takes some time to build up calluses and hand strength. But a well set-up mandolin will make playing easier and more enjoyable, for sure. I like the Mid-Missouri mandolins a lot. They're well set up and play well. As a bonus, they look nice and have a very nice sound. It's not the ideal sound for playing bluegrass, but it'll be a while before that becomes an issue, if it ever does. In the meantime, you'll have a nice reliable, servicable instrument. If you decide to get something more upscale at a later point, you'll probably like having a Mid-Mo on hand as a travel instrument.

This isn't the only choice, but I'd say it's a darn good one for a beginner.

[grandmainger]

Hi!

There are a wide variety of entry-level mandolins available, and it is quite difficult to recommend a particular model/make until we have more information (as outlined in FrankenMouse / Mike's post above).

If you're undecided as to the type of music you want to play, you should still be able to get a good all-rounder within your budget. My advice is: go back to that music shop, and look at all the mandolins they have within whatever price range you can allocate to that. Come back here with actual model number/names, and someone surely will be able to advise for or against the list.

People here are extremely knowledgeable, and have all been beginners once. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Germain

[Rob Powell]

I wholeheartedly agree with Bob D.

While an inexpensive instrument has it's lures (not much upfront investment on something you don't know whether or not you'll want to do) they can be hit and miss. You might get something that plays well and sounds good or something that makes it difficult to want to play.

My theory has always been spend as much as you can afford and get something that is easier to play and sounds good. You will get better feedback from your practicing that way and it's something you want to do instead of a chore. Set yourself up for succcess.

In the end, if you've bought something nice, it's going to hold more value and you'll lose less of your dollar investment if you decide to give it up.

You can probably sell it right here on the Cafe if it doesn't work for you!

Good luck and enjoy!

[queenspammy]

Hello everyone, Thanks for your imput. So far, I think the main style I may play will be a folky/celtic style. I don't care if the mandolin is new or old, if it plays, that's the only concern. My buget is probably not as high as I would like, but for being a newbie I would like to pay a max of $300. I may also try to go to the music store by my house and write down brands and serial numbers and come back here so you guys can help me with that selection and see if I may need to look else where. Thanks for all the help!

[Rob Powell]

Mid Mo (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=10810&query=retrieval)

Hope that link works...it's a Mid Mo in your range good for celtic and folk. #Also hope it's not sold http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[queenspammy]

I hope some people see this part of the post, I went to the music store in my area that has the most mandolins availible. I wrote down price's, brands, and models. Hopefully at least one will be good!

Johnson-
$75 MA100
$475 MF350
Gibson: Epiphone-
$265 mm 30E-AS
$225 mm 30-AG
$190 mm 20-VS
$225 mm 20-BK
Martin and Co.-
$210 backpack model

[KevinM]

Mid-Mo. Or how about a Weber? (This website links to Weber on the front page, right hand side).

[Eugene]

Oval-/round-holed mandolins are the staple of your stated stylistic preferences, queenspammy (not that I put any stock in the staples). #Rather than pursue a cheap instrument with pressed arches and/or a laminated top, you may want to focus on simple flat instruments with a top of solid wood (i.e. concentrate your moolah on as much quality material as possible rather than dressing up lesser material with frill). #I agree with Bob in that easy playability should be the ultimate concern in a learning instrument. #I also agree with the recommnedation of many for Mid-Missouri (http://www.midmomandolin.com/products_mandolins.php). #I would also recommend you look into the Weber Y2K (http://www.soundtoearth.com/inst_ma_y2k3.htm) and Freshwater mandolins (http://www.frettedfolkinstruments.com/product1.htm#1). #Don't be frightened of suggested retail prices; new instruments typically sell for around 75% of suggested retail, sometimes less (depending on how well-exercised your haggling muscle is). #This still might clock in a little over your stated max, but I think it's worth it to save a little extra towards solid wood. #You can also save by locating gently used pieces. #Good luck and welcome.

[Eugene]

PS: Put the Martin backpacker out of your mind. It is badly balanced--you'll be fighting to keep the neck of the thing in your hand as much as you'll be generating music--and it sounds like the mandolin strings on a stick that it is.

[Eric F.]

What Eugene said. Absolutely. I have never heard or played a pressed or laminated oval hole that sounded decent. You can pick up a new Mid-Mo M-0 for less than $400. Patience might reward you with a used one for around $300. They hit the classifieds here once in a while. Sweet tone, real wood, they get better with age and they are handmade. Buy a piece of plywood and you'll soon want something better. Buy one of the brands Eugene mentioned and you can keep it for life. Of course, once MAS strikes, you'll discover that you NEED another mandolin. And another. And. ...

[FrankenMouse]

Dale just posted an ad for a brand new Mid-Mo M2-W wideneck for $400.

New Mid-Mo M2-W (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=10956&query=retrieval)

[Lee]

Queenspammy, my first mandolin was an Epiphone MM-30. It was a wonderful instrument. I've played every one in the stores whenever I see them and they are consistently decent. The $265.00 price is very fair.