What's the most important thing in a mandolin?

[nettleton]

What do you look for when you buy a mandolin? Acoustics? Aesthetics? Comfort? Playability? Affordability? Maybe something entirely different!

Personally, I love very unique-looking instruments. If they're comfortable to play and have good volume and sustain, I'm a happy man.

[pathfinder]

Playability.

[mandofiddle]

I'd have to say a balance between tone, volume and playability.

[tiltman]

scroll http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bob DeVellis]

I think it depends on who the player is and what the instrument is intended for. Generally, I value playability very highly. I can imagine a situation, however, where an instrument with less-than-ideal playability had the perfect sound for a certain task. In that case, playability may not be the over-riding consideration but generally it will be at or near the top of my criteria.

[John Zimm]

I think the three main things are tone, looks, and playability.

[FrankenMouse]

In addition to playability, tone and appearance, I look for lasting value. I prefer to spend my money on something that will at least hold its value, if not appreciate. That's why I love the old Gibsons. They have everything!

[JiminRussia]

Number ONE is the sound. This would include both the volume and the tone. Number TWO would be, how do you personally feel about it? If you feel good about it, you are more likely to play it. After that you usually start thinking about what other people think about it. Does it have a scoll, does it have a "name brand", will it wow and impress the other mando players at the jam and things like that.

[neal]

It may sound great, but be a bear to play. You usually can fix playability. So, sound and playability would be the top priorities here.

Playability preference: flat board, rounded, not V neck, low action, small or large frets, intonates properly.

Sound preference: too subjective.

[John Flynn]

Playability, then tone, then appearance. If you can't play it right, the tone doesn't matter. Just like you can fix playability to an extent, you can also fix tone to an extent, through the way you play, as well as string and pick choices.

[Jacob]

The sound, then playability, then appearance.
If it doesn't have tone, it doesn't matter how easily it does or doesn't play, or how it looks.
You can improve playability, but the sound has to be built in to the instrument.

[JD Cowles]

the right mandolin feels like that old pair of levis. #it just fits right and always sounds and feels good. #its' real hard to put a price on that kinda thing. #you're kinda screwed if you find "the one" before you look at the price tag
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
some folks around here been known to sniff 'em too...

[bluegrassjack2]

Can someone explain 'tone' to me.
Thanks

[mandolooter]

Tone=how it sounds...a very subjective quaility that varies to some point with every set of ears out there. Some folks like the "bluegrass" sound others the "jazzy" sound, etc., etc..

[Ken Berner]

As your question mentions "in" a mandolin, I'd say the bracing is the most important "thing".

[jessboo]

the mandolin has to kill banjos at 100 paces http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Fstpicker]

Sound and playability are definitely my first considerations. Then comes appearance. However, I'm just a novice mando player (about 2 years) so I may change someday down the road how I feel about this.

Jeff

[THP]

Performance
Playability + Tone = Performance

[JimRichter]

I think it all comes down to the "tone" of the mando. And, I know "tone" is very subjective--and it should be. What sounds great in a mando to me, may not to someone else. The tone is also influenced by how I play--how I old my pick, what pick I prefer, strings I use, etc. So I may choose one mando that works "tonewise" for the style I play where another person may play it and it sounds like ####. So my subjective tonal needs must be met first. Then comes looks--prefer F models and am very particular about finish--then playability. Playability can always be fixed. Monroe's mandolin--toward the end--was barely playable but he was able to pull that tone out of it. I've played very "playable" mandolins which sounded mediocre (the Rigel licensed GoldTone is one such example). I'm also very aware of investment and I will buy mandolins only from respected makers.

[smilnJackB]

#1 Tone and Volume
#2 Playability
#3 A look that suits me (handsome, but not flashy)
-- It's not a keeper unless it scores high in all categories. Jack http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[PlayerOf8]

Tone is when the sound in your ear and wallet click

George

[Andrew Reckhart]

For me power/projection is a high priority. #I play Bluegrass and most of my pickin' is done in a pure acoustic jam session/ festival environment. #I need a very powerful mandolin to cut through the wall of instruments. #Tone is equally important, but I find that I can get "my tone" out of most any top end mandolin. #A lot of "tone" is in the fingers, not just the mandolin itself. #Therefore I can sacrifice a very little bit of tone for a lot more volume. #Construction is definately 3rd. #If it plays, sounds and looks awesome that's great, but it has to be around for next summer too! #Warranty is a wonderful thing. #Next comes appearance. #No offense, but I don't want a mandolin that looks like a Stratocaster. #I don't care how amazing or cutting edge they are #I want a 'A' or 'F'. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[elenbrandt]

The ultimate "keepers" have to have great tone (which includes nuance & depth) and playability. #If you have to wrestle with the instrument like it was a very cheap, un-set-up Sears guitar, you won't be playing very long, will 'ya? #And then, if it sounds like a righteous P.O.S. -- you won't want to play it -- even if the action is like butter.

After that -- it is all negotiable. #I am lucky that I feel that my 2 mandolins are complete one-stop shopping.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[JGWoods]

"...No offense, but I don't want a mandolin that looks like a Stratocaster. I don't care how amazing or cutting edge they are I want a 'A' or 'F'. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
And none taken.
Scrolls are a waste of money.
A styles are boring.

Tone- if you like it, it's good tone- at least if you have played for a few years.

My Rigel G110 was designed after a Strat so I hear. OK fine, the strap hooks on in the just the right place for balance- the same place the overpriced scroll puts it. I always played a Tele because I liked the tone.

Then again if I find a scroll instrument that has great to die for tone then I will buy it if I can afford it, and live with the scroll.

Tone tone tone comes first,
Playbility, and I'll include ergonomics here, comes a close second- I have to be able to play it without overly stressing my already beat up body parts. The Rigel's neck and curved edges are winners there.

No offenses meant
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

jgwoods

[GTison]

good looks to attract me in the first place and to give pride in knowing she is attaractive to others as well. show’s alot of class.

has to not hurt me when I touch her

makes her presence known, must sing out when asked to, enough to be noticed and take command when appropriate

a wonderful voice to keep me interested.

have a great smile.

when alone she speaks sweetly. when with others she never embarasses

when she is old, her looks may fade bu the others will last .

[fatt-dad]

Whether or not I have something like it already.

[mrbook]

In his 19th century guitar instruction book, Fernando Sor said playability is the most important thing - if an instrument plays well, he could get all the tone it has out of the instrument. Playability first, with tone not far behind.

[mandolooter]

Well after reading all the previous posts including mine which to my surprise never stated my view I'll chime in with my take.
#1 = tone
#2 = playability

My reasoning is this if its the easiest playing instrument in the world and sounds like #### who cares that it's easy to play. #If it has tone for days but is hard to play, a good setup man could alleviate most if not all that problem or you'll get used to dealing with it to some extent and still have a great sounding mandolin.