Rover

[doublestop]

If anyone is looking for an entry level f style mando at a great price you should check out the RM-75. It is Xmas time and maybe some of our board members are looking for gifts for their sons, daughters, etc. I played one about a month ago and thought it was great. I thought, okay a decent one just squeaked through the assembly line. It had a chocolate finish. Today, I played another with a sunburst (Yellowstone-like) finish. It was also a killer in the tone dept. Much better in tone than any Kentucky that I have played that has been manufactured in the last 6 years. If you are looking for a great fit or finish these aren't the mandos for you. They are a little rough as far as workmanship. It would probably make a great camp or travel mandolin as well. Great bark and plenty of volume. Anyone else have a similar experience?

[devilsbox]

I just ordered one of these, but it hasn't arrived yet. I've read up on them and it seems that they have to be a good deal for the money. I'm waiting to see what I can get out of it with a good setup, maybe better strings, nut, and bridge. My Kentucky 630S doesn't have the construction features of the Rover, I assume they are made by the same people. It will be interesting to compare them side by side. I hope to get a good example and not a "dud".

[doublestop]

Well, I played two and they were both consistent in tone. They definately require a good setup. I might replace the bridge as it looked way too cheap. The top also appeared to be quite thick, but the tone and volume was there. I think you'll like yours, but don't expect too much as far as craftsmanship.

[mikeh]

I played one at the Saga booth at IBMA. Didn't seem to have any special setup, but had killer tone and playability for 300 bucks. I agree these would make a great beginner or second mandolin.

[pickinpox]

Haha. In the picture with the noose, the loose end of the rope at a glance looks like a banjo 5th string peg. I won't comment any more than that http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[GTison]

today I played the following: Kentucky KM620 ($550) chinese, Km620 Korean used, several MorganMonroes(one $1000), a Gold tone rigel copy, Alverez($995list), Rover RM75($ sell for 350). All these are F models.
I played RM75 again today. It is a very good mandolin. Looks like it is constructed correctly. The wood is rather plain. but it's a dark color so that's not a real negative. It sounds great. Excelent volume.
Good tone. on the low notes as well as the trebles. If I didn't have a 2nd mando I would buy it! ( I own a gibsonalso to give you a reference of where I'm coming from.)

the Alverez F that was beautiful ($995). But It had real light guage strings on it but the RM still was it's equal I think. For the money I'd still buy the rover.

I wouldn't knock a hog in the butt with a Morgan Monroe. Look good but no sound not in the ones I played today.

the Km 620 korean was a brick too.
BUT the KM 620 chinese, It had very good tone. and fairly good construction. It wasn't set up very well but. It was about as good as the RM 75. It was loud too.

the rigel copy looked and played great but would prob be best suited for accoustic/ electric play. and to my memory it didn't sound much like a real Rigel.

If I was recomending I'd buy the RM75 you can't go wrong. It's Too cheap to make a mistake . And It sounds better than most any thing you'll find hanging in the typical store. none of that buzzy tinney sound on the trebles et.
That's my report today.

[Ragamuffin Music]

I am re-posting this from another thread...

I have piddled with the mandolin for over 25 years but have gotten serious about working at it over the last 6 months. #I am a long time experienced guitar player/teacher... just to give a little background...

I recently snagged a Rover RM-75 (F style) on Ebay. #I was kinda anxious to "kick the tires". #I didn't worry too much about set up because I have done that for my own instruments for many moons. #The "hype" by some sellers made me chuckle - I looked for a seller that sounded more down to earth about this mando. #My winning bid was $255.00 so yep I got a deal there. #This mando is made in China (he says with a grimace...) #First impression out of the box was that this was pretty well made. #The finish looks really nice - nitro cellulose that is thin enough that you can see the grain - almost looks like the finish has sunk in to the grain but it is smooth - I like the sorta vintage look it gives it. #The finish on mine is really dark - just a slight sunburst showing but you can see the stripe in the maple bottom, back, sides and neck when you hold it just right. #I personally don't care so much about every little detail being spotless - yeah there are some little oddities but nothing really big. #Overall very impressed with the fit and finish for this price. #And now the fingerboard and neck...

The neck was almost right... just a couple of turns put her on track - the neck on mine will do dead level but I dialed in a tiny bit of relief - lowered the bridge as far as she would go (then got out the Dremel and went to work for a few minutes going lower... I like very low actions). #A test run showed some fret leveling was needed to go where I wanted to go. #I ran a marker over the length of each fret - got out my stone and went easy until no marker was visible. #I then polished them back to shiny with the Dremel (did not re-crown - didn't need to really) and then tuned up and brought the bridge up until I had no buzz left then another half turn and talk about smooth as silk!! #So much for making her really playable.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TONE?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?

Well I gotta tell ya I have fallen in love with this thing. #I can't put it down. #It just sings! #No it isn't a Loar and I have heard a few close up but I don't see how anybody would not be impressed with the sound and playability. #I really think you would have to plunk down closer to $800 - $1000+ to get this in another mando. #I have played some in that price range that (at least to my ear) sounded terrible. #I wouldn't have given you $50 bucks for them. #This mando has some depth already and it will get deeper and fuller but I like the tone already.

OK... sorry to rattle on but just wanted to give some depth about my experience with the Rover RM-75 that I own. #Oh and another thing... it absolutely stays in tune like a rock! #Once in a while the E strings are just a tad sharp (don't know why that one happens) but it is nice not to have to tune and re-tune all the time. #It also has beautiful intonation all the way up the neck. #It'll bark and chop and sigh right along... #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Did I mention that I really love this mando...?

[devilsbox]

I'm gonna stand outside and wait for the UPS man, after all this!!!!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[GTison]

My concern on the rover was that the top seemed maybe a little thin. Also, the crown of the carving of the top was behind the bridge. That made the bridge lean naturally a little forward. I still am supprised at the sound though for 350 bucks.
Gruhns has 3 of em for sale of different hues FYI. I don't know if you should stand in the rain waiting though. I did chase down the UPS man when my Gibson Fern came UPS, I didn't want it riding down the dirt road all day.

[devilsbox]

OK if it's raining I'll wait inside, but I might peek out the window.

[Lee]

I played two Rover F'sat Gruhn's this spring. I was truly amazed at what $375 would buy. One was significantly nicer sounding than the other but the both stood up well against $600-$800 mandolins extremely well. Even the extension is scooped out; nice touch. Greg Boyd's shop boasts about choosing the cream of the crop and he'll probably make sure it's set up well too. They're making a winner if you need an inexpensive F. If only the fretboard were radiused.

[El Rey del Mando]

This is crazy.I have a montana made Flatiron F5 artist and a 99 Gibson F5G.I wanted to see what all this gas I've been hearing about Rover mandolins is all about.A good friend of mine has an acoustic music shop and I was talking to him the other day about this Rover F model.Anyway he had one and I bought it for 250.I figured that I would fool around with it.Well,I just got it tonight.I took it out of the box and it looked good.The action was very low,so I raised it to where I like it,tuned it up,and went with it.All I can say is,It's hard to believe that they can sell this thing so cheap.I put a dial caliper on the strings and they are light gauge.I am going to put a set of J74s on it later on and I bet it is going to sound even better.It is already LOUD and it even has some pop and some depth.I don't know why I bought it,I guess I had to find out for myself what's with this thing.What I'm getting at is,if some of you guys or gals are trying to figure out what kind of mando to buy but don't have alot of coin to spend,Here is an instrument that you can't go wrong with.This thing will blow a new kentucky away.I wonder how long it will be before they discover how good these things are and raise the prices to who knows where.Well now I have one that I can kick around and not worry.(I won't kick it too bad)I'll chime in when I put the J74s on it,fit the brige and do a better set up on it all around.I'll let you know what the difference in the sound and playability is all about......

El Rey

[doublestop]

It truly is amazing! I certainly have thought about buying one. Why, I don't know because I have a Japanese made Km-1000 and a Weber Yellowstone. All the mandos I will ever need, but the deal is so good on these little guys you can't go wrong. Glad you are happy with yours as well. Sounds like they all must be pretty consistant in tone.

[El Rey del Mando]

Come on now doublestop,Can you ever have too many mandos? I have 5. I guess I'm Just crazy all together!

El Rey

[doublestop]

Five? How do you keep them all satisfied? I have found that 2 is just enough. I keep one at work and one at home and when I pine for one in a different locale I switch. Please don't encourage me! I have no will power!!

[El Rey del Mando]

I know all too well about will power.Thats why I have this many mandos,I hane NONE.Now,I don't want to put any ideas into your cerebellum about this kind of thing,maybe I flap off at the mandible too much.Don't hate me now,but my other passion is prewar gibson b$#*os.Now this kicks my butt alltogether. Yea Man. Not to mention I'm getting old and you only live once.......

El Rey

[devilsbox]

Well, the Rover showed up right on time and I've been busy playing it. The fit and finish are much better than my Kentucky, I am really impressed with it. I thought it sounded good right off, but after putting on an ebony bridge and a set of J74's it really sings. I have to keep reminding myself how cheap it was. In my opinion, for an inexpensive F-style this is a great value. I even like the dark brown finish, it looks classy. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Treetopper]

I have had my Rover RM 75 for a while now and have enjoyed it a lot. I took devilsbox's advice and put a ebony bridge on it with a new set of 74's. It ROCKS. For an inexpensive mando is is surely worth much more, at least, to me.

[JenWantstaJam]

How does it compare to, say a Fender 53S? Or other cheaper brands?

[Treetopper]

I have a Fender 63F model and it was the first mando that I bought several years ago. It still has a good tone and plays extremely well. (I wish I did). Comparing it to the RM 75 or the Epi MM30, I would say that it is better that my MM30 and not as good (yet) at the 63. The finish is not as good as either, but it really barks. I think I am over my latest MAS attack, I should settle down and practice, practice, practice. There is not a night that goes by that I don't have one of the 6 mandos beside me to play during commercials, (which by today's standards is plenty of time)

[JenWantstaJam]

I don't like my Fender. Some days it sounds decent for a little while, and then gets really twangy and nasty. I just want to make sure when I upgrade I don't just get a more expensive but similar in sound (it reminds me of a ukelele most of the time)

[El Rey del Mando]

Jen, Don't worry yourself about weather or not to get one of these rovers. Listen to the comments on this thread.I have 5 mandos and I bought one of these just to see what it's all about.You will not be sorry.Read my other post under this topic.You could play this instrument on stage with no problem.My brother has been playing for over 25 years and he ordered one yesterday. Not to mention, he has some heavy hitters in his mando stable.Soooo,if your looking for a cool mando, this could be it and I'll bet the price of these things won't last long.Good luck and let us know what you think if you get one.......The price is more than right!

El Rey

[devilsbox]

Saga's next move should be a "high end" Rover, radius fingerboard, ebony bridge, some flamed wood, maybe a satin finish.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[newblue]

OK, I have some Christmas money and I am still about $200 short for the MK I've been saving for. I may have just about been talked into pulling the trigger on a Rover, so I can put mas aside and save for another motorcycle. Has anyone played one of these puppies next to a MK?

[chipotle]

I have just been shown this Rover at a local store where the local bluegrass guy raved about it; great value for the money. It seems like a good buy to me since I am looking to upgrade from a fundamental instrument. Great to hear good input on this.

I have only rudimenary skill and I am looking for a good insrument for the price. I still love the look of the Breedlove "K" and the Rigel "A" models.

Well, I am on a limited budget and can't justify the cost for my playing level..Thanks all for the posts on the Rover. I thought it sounded good but my ear is not as refined as......welll

Thanks all!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[newblue]

Almost ordered one, after talking to salesman, I think I'll keep saving a little longer, after all Musicians Friend just dropped the price of the Legacy Delux to $599.