$199.00 solid F style mandolin

[Br1ck]

Someone will be in for a rude shock when it goes to the Antiques Roadshow in 75 years. Complete, all original, never made playable MKs from the great sell off of '16 will put one's kids through college. Remove the sticker, you only get a year. Touch the frets, an hour and a half. Cut off the Florida, firewood.


Seriously, I'm shocked at the amount of playing time it's getting.

[MikeEdgerton]

...Of course if you remove the country of origin sticker the resale value will be much lower....

Yes, but the sticker won't slow you down when you're playing down there on the first fret. I get it that it's a law that imported items have to have the country of origin clearly listed. Why not just put it on the label?

Then again Gibson had to stamp Made in the USA on their export models back in the 30's.

[dhergert]

... Then again Gibson had to stamp Made in the USA on their export models back in the 30's.

... As well as their banjos up through the mid '80s.

Of course, I was being extremely sarcastic about resale value related to the sticker. The real value of these MK mandolins is how free we all feel with them because of their low cost. Which we owe a big thanks to you for bringing them up...

[MikeEdgerton]

...The real value of these MK mandolins is how free we all feel with them because of their low cost. Which we owe a big thanks to you for bringing them up...

I just saw it first. Who knew they'd have so many

[Chris Daniels]

So, I was browsing MF's after-xmas clearance sale and guess what's back in stock...still for $199. I don't need one but how could I not pass on the news?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-...tival-mandolin

C.

[MikeEdgerton]

They must have a quantity. I just added 10 to my cart and they took and didn't stop me, and no, I didn't buy them

This is the best buy F style these days. Plan on having it setup.

[MrYikes]

MK: Send one of these to Don. He will set it up and donate it to Mandolin Cafe who will then name it "The Traveler" and send it to people on a list (who have signed up). Those receiving "The Traveler" will post video playing in differing locations around the world (i.e., the Kentucky derby, the Indy 500, the Grand Canyon, New Orleans, etc.). The continuing PR would be priceless. Your friend, Bob.

[dhergert]

He he hee... Well what do you know... One of the miracles of marketing I guess.

Get them while they're hot, they won't last forever -- maybe.

I'm still extremely pleased with mine! (As are three other people at least...)

[Paul Hird]

Just went to the MF site and they say they have 1 of the $199.00 MK's in stock. It, for whatever reason is a restock, so they state.

[dhergert]

Just went to the MF site and they say they have 1 of the $199.00 MK's in stock. It, for whatever reason is a restock, so they state.

Yes, Paul... That's actually the way it was when Mike originally started this thread on September 21. The first day we all thought there was really only one. Then up to the end of the first week, all of us thought there were only a few available. After that we started taking it for granted that there were a lot of them, until they seemed to be gone. Now "They're back...".

Don't get me wrong though, these do seem to be rather good playing and sounding mandolins.

As Mike and others have mentioned, they almost all need setup, including fret leveling, dressing, nut work and bridge seating work, and for quite a few, truss rod adjustment. There may be other issues too, but those seem pretty consistent. In other words, for the most part when they arrive they haven't been setup at all.

Whether these have all actually been restocks or not is a good question. A number of us have received our mandolins in the original sealed factory boxes.

After setup though, these mandolins consistently have a loud, bright voice, excellent low-string bark and remarkable sustain.

[dhergert]

Btw, here's how MF currently defines their "restock" items (seemingly unchanged from when this sale originally appeared):

"
What is Restock?

Restock products may have signs of use or other forms of cosmetic damage that do not affect playability or performance. They may also have worn or non-original packaging.

Restocks are factory authorized B stock or C stock that have been returned by retailers for a variety of reasons and have been reviewed, repaired, or repackaged by the manufacturer. Standards of quality vary from one manufacturer to another.

Restock Guarantees

In most cases Restock products are guaranteed by the manufacturer to function or play perfectly and are covered by a manufacturers warranty. Some manufacturers offer a warranty with a shorter duration than new products. Restocks are eligible for extended warranty Gold Coverage and are also covered by our Musicians Friend 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Order risk-free and take up to 45 days to check out the gear before deciding to keep it.
"

[Paul Hird]

Thanks, Don. Good information to know. Not that I need another mandolin, but just buying it for the price and hearing what it sounds like would be fun. Geez, did I just say I didn't need another mandolin!?

[dhergert]

That's what I thought for maybe about 5 minutes. Then I realized that for $199 I almost couldn't afford not to try this deal out. I had been looking for a "beater" for backup and that I could travel with, but what I got was a surprisingly nice mandolin, especially after complete setup.

I've gone the extra steps of setting my MK up as similarly to my F-9 as possible as far as the tone guard, armrest and pickguard are concerned, and with both instruments wearing new strings of the same type it challenges my Gibson in a number of ways; my F-9 is still my favorite mandolin, but the differences are very subtle.

[Br1ck]

I played mine all day yesterday. I usually alternate, but I can play the MK, and do if it is the one I can grab, since I tend to have it out within reach. I also yet again tweaked on it with good results. Thid time the truss rod to straighten the neck out more. Then I had to raise the treble side of the bridge to compensate. It plays very close to my Silverangel now.

It is very bright, but that works too, since the SA is so woody.

If you think you can do the work, it is a super value, and even if you pay for a setup, it is hard to go wrong. Really. It will need a case or gigbag, but still, all solid wood for two C notes....

A friend played mine and asked if they were still available. I just e mailed him.

[Folkmusician.com]

I just finished selling off the last of the Dragonflys. There were about 30 of these when I started.

I wouldn't expect this new batch of festivals to last long and they should be pretty close to gone. As far as I know, MK did not have any left. This is likely something left over in the MF warehouse or they received a whole lot of returns, which wouldn't be surprising if people were trying them without setup.

[Joe Mendel]

Here's another MF good deal, but on a guitar. This was yesterday's deal, but still appears to be the same price today. I don't care for the graphics. but I've done set up on a few of these and they sound very good and play very well. Can't beat it for $150.00.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...&CJPID=5696037

[Mando_Lynn]

A generous cafe poster purchased one of the MKs during the first round and donated it to my school. Had it shipped directly to us! Man oh man do the kids LOVE this mandolin! It's the only F style we have at school (among 15 other mandos all A style) and they beg to be the one to play it. I tell them whoever knows their music the best gets it. LOL!

I only had to get a simple set up done and it was only $15 so it was a major score!

[dhergert]

So cool... That is a contribution to the future!

[Caleb]

Great story. Makes one realize that if not for budget instruments like these, many people would never get the chance to learn music.

[Willie Poole]

I tried to go onto their web site to see about one and it would not accept my e mail address and password...I thought about calling them on the phone and may still do it but do I really need another mandolin that needs work done to it? I don`t thing so....

[dhergert]

So, I was browsing MF's after-xmas clearance sale and guess what's back in stock...still for $199. I don't need one but how could I not pass on the news?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-...tival-mandolin

C.

I just browsed over to the MF site and they are now saying these are unavailable.

[MikeEdgerton]

It has to end sometime

[dhergert]

Yup... It's been a good run!

[Br1ck]

I would think Robert Fear's analysis of the recent batch being returns was correct. Mine had very bad action. I could see where one would think it was a bad mandolin.

Thanks to the kind soul who donated one to the school. I can't imagine anything that can enrich a life over so long a time as playing an instrument, or that can make such a contribution to ones well being and continued mental sharpness as one ages.

[darrylicshon]

I just browsed over to the MF site and they are now saying these are unavailable.

That's good for me i was just thinking about buying one and i really don't need another one