I'm looking for a good mandola. Not looking to spend more than $1000, but also don't want a cheap starter model. Built-in pickup would be nice. Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm looking for a good mandola. Not looking to spend more than $1000, but also don't want a cheap starter model. Built-in pickup would be nice. Anyone have any suggestions?
I played an Eastman a year or two back that I really liked. I think that was right around the $1000 mark. Haven't tried any of the less expensive ones, though, only some nicer ones. I will say with the larger body, they all had nice volume and good sustain, so I think it's more of a "feel" thing. The big buck ones I've played did stand out, but neither you nor I care about stuff we can't afford...
I have a Gibson mandola, and a Big Muddy
Big Muddy is the way to go, if you want a flattop. Solid wood, solid craftsmanship, no frills.
For around 1k I would look at Sawchyn Beavertails. They retail from 1199 so pretty close. Here's some info:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3VfT-vr9Y
https://sawchyn.com/index.php/mandolins/beaver-tails
Girouard Concert A5
Girouard Custom A4
Nordwall Cittern
Barbi Mandola
Crump OM-1s Octave
www.singletonstreet.com
If you were willing to go $1500 there is a very nice Flatiron 3MC army navy style mandola, in the classifieds.
I used to have a 3MW and I loved it. Very loud. Very attractive sound.
I would contact Nikos Apollonio. You could get his base model with K and K pickup right at your
price point. And, being custom you can pick the scale, neck width, ect. He also has several
upgrades in wood, binding, abalone, body style, and such. Because he only builds flat top
instruments his build time is very fast. He is building a Mandola for me right now. I have one
of his bell shaped Octaves and love it. It plays like butter, rings like a bell with great Irish sound.
vincit qui se vincit
I've had a Sawchyn Beavertail mandola for a few years and I can attest to their value. I've had a Weber Gallatin, and a Weber Alder in the past but the Beavertail is a keeper.
NFI but I was in Folkway Music in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada yesterday and they had one in stock. It's a pretty good deal when you factor in the US/CAN exchange rate:
http://www.folkwaymusic.com/new-inst...-mandola-0316/
I have mandolas by MidMissouri, Big Muddy (same maker, different years), Sawchyn Deluxe Beavertail, and Flatiron (the least deluxe model, a 1N). All have good sound and playability and are recommendable options. Discussions like this always make me want to get my butt in gear and replace the Sawchyn's bridge, since my Thomastik D strings are sharp on it (compensated too far forward). For that reason, it's been played little of late. Ahh, my eternal "to do" list gets longer and longer... but some day....
bratsche
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