View Full Version : New to mandolin and forums
bango
Nov-10-2004, 10:56am
Hello there everyone,
This place seems really nice and cool. I play guitar, but I wanted something different, mandolins caught my eye and ear. I am planning on getting one for christmas (I'd chip in), and I'm looking at the Fender FM-63S, that is in my price range (579 US - I live in Canada though) and I have read good reviews about this one. I like the F shape, but I was wondering what you guys' thoughts are on this mando, or could anyone recommend a similar, or better mandolin for similar price? Because I know you guys know a world more about me then mandolins.
Thanks for your time if you bothered to read this,
I'm looking forward to a informative and good time here.
EasyEd
Nov-10-2004, 12:28pm
Hey All,
Bango as a fellow Canuck - Welcome. Others here know more about entry level mandos than I but I suggest you play as many as you can and then make a judgement about what you want. Also with the Canadian dollar as strong as it is I wouldn't hesitate to order something you want from the US once you find say a brand that you like. As to brands try Michael kelly, Kentucky, etc and don't rule out used. Also you might consider that generally you get more mando per $ if you buy an A as compared to an F.
Take care! -Ed-
duuuude
Nov-10-2004, 12:39pm
bango -
Don't really have much input for ya, just wanted to say welcome and you're gonna love it here.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Also you might consider that generally you get more mando per $ if you buy an A as compared to an F.
Sage advice. Looks are fine but they sure don't make you sound any better. As Ed said play as many as you can before you buy. Even though you may be new to mandolins your guitar experience can be a plus when listening for the tone you want.
GVD
fatt-dad
Nov-10-2004, 1:00pm
Welcome Bango (or is it ban)o),
Regarding forums, here is some sage advice for this place. Be polite, no strong language, keep it to mandolins (even if the mandolin topic screams for a political insight), the boss is watching (that is a good thing) and folks are real nice (typically). Only believe the stuff that makes sense. But, if it doesn't make sense, jump in and inquire. Maybe it will make sense in time and then you can believe it.
Buying a mandolin from the Cafe Classifieds can be a good thing also (I sell some sometimes). A used mandolin can save you money and will likely have a better resale potential. There is a good chance you will "need" more than one mandolin and trade up several times in the next few years - ha.
fatt-dad
Thanks for your replies, but does anyone have experience with many mandolins in that price range (US 500 - 600) and could share with me what they preffered, I'm gonna goto the local music store which sells a bunch of mandolins hopefully on the weekend to try some out
and fatt-dat, its bango, pronounced bang-o
mandobob
Nov-10-2004, 2:11pm
bango
(as a guitarist also) I say A dollars go further then F dollars, as pretty as that scroll might be.
I have a Breedlove Quartz A ($500-600 used), with an oval hole and radiused fret board, two features that appeal to my six string self.
Welcome.
yea actually i guess an A would be fine, im starting to like them more and more.
So!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif what are some good a's in that price range
If you're looking new. Check out MK and Kentucky. Both good well known brands and in your price range...but don't rule out the classified ads here...Welcome to the obsession...looking forward to hearing when MAS hits ya...
mmukav
Nov-10-2004, 2:20pm
Bango---I think fatt-dad was raggin' on your name 'cause it's sort of like 'banjo'--but I'm sure he means well.
Mandolin players are always being drowned out by banjos at jams, so there's some history there. But it's all in good fun. (usually)
I don't have experience with the Fender mandos, but go play a bunch, you'll be able to tell the difference in tone , playability, action, etc. That'll help you the most.
One thing that's kind of accepted here is that you'll usually get more for your money with an 'A' style mando.
They are generally less expensive. (less woodwork, etc.).
And most people will tell you that the tone is comparable, however the 'F' style is cooler looking and more bluegrass players seem to like the 'F'.
Fender, Kentucky, Epiphone, are all similar mandos, made in China or Korea, and some even at the same factories but with different brand names.
Go through the classifieds, you can see several different brands at that price range and at least get an idea what you can get for that much money.
Good luck and welcome to the Mandolin Cafe!
Eric F.
Nov-10-2004, 3:51pm
Mid-Missouri. It's in your price range and often considerably less used. Check the classifieds now, there's two or three listed. Solid workmanship, all real wood. They are real instruments and play and feel like it. I mean no offense to the advocate of the Pac Rim mandos _ and one of my mandolins IS a Kentucky _ but the MId-Mo just blows them away. In my opinion.
mikeomando
Nov-10-2004, 3:56pm
What kind of guitar do you play? Are you looking for an acoustic-sounding electric, a solid body-sounding electric, or just an acoustic?
fatt-dad
Nov-10-2004, 4:54pm
Shamless plug alert. . . .
HERE (http://home.comcast.net/~fatt-dad/mando4sale.html) are some mandolins that I have for sale. They are not new, but play well. Most are under your price range.
Enjoy the hunt!
fatt-dad
Well I play electric and acoustic guitar, I'm looking for pure acoustic mandolin with a nice classical/bluegrass sound
JiminRussia
Nov-10-2004, 9:52pm
Unless you meant to say "classic" bluegrass sound, you have painted yyourself into a corner a little bit. The sound of a "classical" mandolin is very diferent from a pure bluegrass instrument. The main diferences tonally are that the classical instrument will give you a sort of "tinkling" clear sopronno, female voice and the bluegrass instrument will give you more of a high tenor, male voice. It's sort of the difference between Pavorotti and Maria Calas singing the same note. Both are great, but they sound very diferent. A bluegrass instrument is also expected to "woof" when playing the chop chords. It's a deeper sound than the classical instruments are generally capable of. There are no known examples of a mandolin that can play everyting. It's sort of like an old Russian saying, "a skiney cow is not a gazelle."
Phantoj
Nov-11-2004, 12:19pm
There are no known examples of a mandolin that can play everyting.
Well, maybe it's not ideally suited for a particular type of music... doesn't mean you can't still play that type of music on it.
If no-one's watching, I mean.
bango
Nov-11-2004, 12:36pm
alright, then more of a bluegrass sound
altough my friends and I just started a classical band (im playing guitar till i learn enough mando), but I would like a deep tone
There are no known examples of a mandolin that can play everyting.
John Reischman and Mike Marshall's Loar's sound pretty good no matter what style of music their playing. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
GVD
fatt-dad
Nov-11-2004, 2:09pm
Is there a known example of a mandolinist that can play everything? (Couldn't resist)
f-d
I was just at the store, played a few, cheap fender a's,
they sounded decent and played well for the price
I also played a michael kelly legacy electric acoustic, for the price differance, i didnt notice that big of a gap between the fender and the mk, though i still preferred the michael kelly one.
I was surprised I could improvise on it and make it sound really nice, I'm definitley getting a mandolin for christmas
mandorado
Nov-11-2004, 6:59pm
Skip the Fender ... check out the mid-mo, or even better, there is a lot of talk about the Eastman mandolins. Yes, they cost a "little" more, but don't go the cheap route. Check out the Eastmans at http://www.giannaviolins.com, give Steve Perry a call and he'll play one for you over the phone. I think he even has some financing available now.
If you spend a little more, you will be happier in the long run.
I have played guitar for a long, long time ... and there is nothing more fun than playing mandolin, in my opinion.
hmm actually the michael kelly legacy, seems nice, with the electric pickup. But i'd like to find a used one
JenWantstaJam
Nov-12-2004, 7:50am
Yea, I'd skip the fender if I were you. I have a fender A style and I can't WAIT to upgrade. When I first heard it I thought it sounded pretty good, but once I started listening to mando-music I really started to notice the difference. My fender now reminds me of a uke. :S I'm in Canada, too, and I don't know about you, but it's tough to find any "good" brands around me! Just keep looking!
does anyone know how the fender f 63s compares to the MK legacy FS
the fender seems to have better reviews where ever i look