"Montana" mandolin

[jcouncil]

Hello there. Has anyone heard of a Montana brand mandolin? Are they any good as a beginner instrument? What would one be worth? Thanks.

[JEStanek]

Welcome to the Café, jcouncil.

Could you post a link to one? I saw a reference for a Montana brand mandolin on Amazon but it was out of stock with no photo or price listed. Based on this, I'm guessing it is an import from a large scale factory that puts different brand names on the headstock for different markets and probably costs (as an A style) in the $50-150 range... but like I said, I guessed.

Based on this guess, it may be fine, but then again it may not. If new, it will absolutely need a proper set up, which if done after the purchase could cost you between $30-80 depending on the amount of work (adjust bridge, nut, clean up frets, service tuners, change strings, adjust the truss rod (if present) required.

I recommend folks get starter instruments (and they can be had for ~$100) from shops that set up instruments before shipping (like our sponsors). A properly set up inexpensive mandolin that holds tune and is intonates OK can be an affordable way to learn more than some mandolin basics and let you know if this is a hobby you want to pursue.

Can you give us some more information, please?

Jamie

[jbennett451]

I had a Montana when I first started out. There is nothing wrong with it per se, but its just a really low quality instrument, what some have termed a "mandolin shaped object". Its a little ugly, a little buzzy and a little clunky. If I were, mm, under 10, it might be a good starting place.

Basic upgrade: Get yourself an entry level A-Model by Kentucky. Both the Mandolin Store and Elderly Instruments have a few nice looking ones for around $250-$300.

Serious picken: Get yourself into the $500-600 dollar, and you could pick up a mid-level Kentucky, Eastman 504/505, or (the oft argued favorite on this site) a gently used Big Muddy/Mid-Missouri. The last brand's made by a small luthier in the US, as opposed to a bigger shop in China, i.e. you can talk/email the guy building your mandolin.

No-frills price breaker: Some folks here swear by the Rover. Elderly has a few used for under $100 bucks.

Ah, and Jamie's comments regarding set up are indeed worth heeding.

Good luck.

[jcouncil]

Here is one that is listed on eBay. Someone has one for sale locally on craigslist, which is why I became curious. My daughter has become interested in playing the mandolin but I don't have much money to spend, especially if she puts it down after a few days. I would like to find a used instrument for less than $100. I will make an offer on the local "Montana" if it isn't junk. Thanks for the help!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120488091948&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[allenhopkins]

"Montana" appears to be a line of Asian imports by Kaman Co., including acoustic and electric guitars, electric basses, etc. Not much info on their mandolins, but the other instruments are in the low- and mid-price ranges. There's a Montana 69841C mandolin at an eBay store for $150; appears to be a pretty generic A-body f-hole plywood instrument. (Jamie: here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Montana-69841C-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ120488091948QQcmdZViewItemQQptZL H_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item1c0da6612c#ht_2710wt_93 2) the link.)

Good or bad? With a decent set-up, you could learn on it. I'd concur with the other posters that even a low-end Kentucky like the KM-150 is all solid woods, and can be purchased for $225 or so. But for a beginner, the main objective is to get one that's relatively easy to play -- the strings are not too far above the frets, the bridge's properly located for correct intonation, etc. Many of us learned on "cheapos" and, after deciding we wanted to continue, bought a better mandolin as our second instrument.

So, if you get the Montana or another student-grade instrument, just make sure that it has a proper set-up. If you have a good instrument dealer nearby, one who does repairs and handles new and used mandolins as well as guitars, get a look-see at it and get it adjusted so it's easy for a student to play.