New mandolin player here

**firstchair** · Feb-24-2007, 3:16pm

I need to buy a mandolin.

I'm thinking of getting it from Shar.
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=IP100M&Cat=
But I need more options. Other sites, places in Washington(the Everett area) etc. Thank you

**Troyer** · Feb-24-2007, 3:59pm

nothin wrong with a fender, just make sure you get a good setup on it so it will play easy.[adjusting the bridge, nut, strings, etc.] Don

**JEStanek** · Feb-24-2007, 4:03pm

Daniel, Welcome to the Cafe'! I hope we can help you. Will you be looking to play the instrument in the Sharmusic store first or online? If you're going to go the online route, be sure the store that sells this instrument to you will give it a thorough set up prior to shipping. See some of the front page sponsors for good places to buy online.

If your budget is ~$200 consider the Kentucky KM150S (all solid and pretty decent). If you can scrape up more the KM380S is an excellent place to start too. Be sure it gets a good set up and probably new strings.

There is also an all solid wood Stradolin in the Cafe' classifieds that looks nice and can give vintage tone for $275. Those old stadolins have a lot of character. I don't know anything about or have any financial interest in that sale (other than I keep looking at it...).

Good hunting,
Jamie

**firstchair** · Feb-24-2007, 4:15pm

Should I get A style of F?
Should I get flat fingerboard or radiused?

**Jim Broyles** · Feb-24-2007, 4:22pm

Basically the <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/BEAN-BLOSSOM-MANDOLIN-MUSIC-VALUE-PACK-FOR-BEGINNERS-1_W0QQitemZ7362968133QQihZ016QQcatego
ryZ10179QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank"> same thing </a> as the Fender. You can get more for your money in an A style, because the scroll and point add to cost, but not playability. As far as flat or radius - at this point I wouldn't worry too much. In all honesty, the radius is nearly undetectable on a 1-1/8" at the nut neck anyway. Later, when you are ready to upgrade, try a bunch with and without a radius and you will get a better idea of how much a radius means to you. There are many more mando packs on eBay, all cheaper than the Fender pack at Shar.

**Jim Broyles** · Feb-24-2007, 4:28pm

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Baja-Mandolin-Beginner-Package-Starter-Kit-NEW-Complete_W0QQitemZ220050683824QQihZ012QQcat
egoryZ10179QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank"> Even better deal.</a>

**testore** · Feb-24-2007, 4:35pm

i've played these things........and i know the guys at shar.no one there to set it up so well.i'd look elsewhere.

**JEStanek** · Feb-24-2007, 6:36pm

Anything you get off e-bay won't be set up. Unless you can do that yourself (See Frets.com for some guidance), you'll spend another $40-100 on that e-bay mandolin to have someone do it for you in a shop. Nothing I've received off e-bay was set up at all. The difference is huge. Those high tension mandolin strings will hurt with a high nut.

For now, forget the F style. Unless you can afford to get a used MK or Eastman (I prefer the Eastmans myself) starting at $450+ used) your better off with an A style. For the same money you'll almost always get more mando (better woods, tone, construction etc) with an A than an F.

Jamie

**jk245** · Feb-24-2007, 6:52pm

I think musiciansfriend.com has a better deal with the Washburn M1S at a similar price to the Fender. The Fender has a laminated spruce top and the Washburn has a solid top. I opted for the Washburn and think the quality is quite good for the price. The only things I recommend that you get in addition to the pack is another $10 strap, better strings like the D'Addario EXP74, and an electronic tuner like the Intellitouch PT2 Tuner. MF is currently running a 15% discount on their accessories and gives free shipping.

**firstchair** · Feb-24-2007, 7:35pm

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Kit?sku=515146
What do you guys think of this mandolin.

**MongoMando** · Feb-24-2007, 8:04pm

Originally Posted by (firstchair @ Feb. 24 2007, 20:35)

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Kit?sku=515146
What do you guys think of this mandolin.

I think good setup is especially important for a beginner. It keeps you from getting discouraged.

Low cost instruments are especially in need of setup-- almost universally.

**jk245** · Feb-24-2007, 8:36pm

That is the one that I have and recommend.
Their sale price is VERY GOOD good! THEY USUALLY CHARGE $179.99.
Grab it at that price and you will be vary happy.

Setups can be found at
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2451.htm
http://www.gibson.com/Product....et%20Up
for stinging:
http://www.daddario.com/DADTipDetail.aspx?ParID=241
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPa....g1.html

**firstchair** · Feb-25-2007, 5:57pm

These are numbered, put the number you think is best.

1. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product....=519275

2. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product....=518691

3. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product....=515146

4. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product....515146X

5. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product....=518033

Thank you.

**jk245** · Feb-25-2007, 6:26pm

If you take a look at the customer reviews on MF, the Rogue seems to have quality problems. I would say the Washburn blem is a good choice.

**firstchair** · Feb-25-2007, 6:28pm

Thanks

**JEStanek** · Feb-25-2007, 8:01pm

5. Spend more, get more, solid!

Jamie

**MongoMando** · Feb-25-2007, 8:04pm

Originally Posted by (jk245 @ Feb. 24 2007, 21:36)

That is the one that I have and recommend.
Their sale price is VERY GOOD good! THEY USUALLY CHARGE $179.99.
Grab it at that price and you will be vary happy.

Setups can be found at
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2451.htm
http://www.gibson.com/Product....et%20Up
for stinging:
http://www.daddario.com/DADTipDetail.aspx?ParID=241
http://www.frets.com/FRETSPa....g1.html

It stands to reason that a person new to playing a mandolin might have trouble doing a good setup. I think paying the extra $50 for someone to do it is money well spent.

Just my opinion.

**firstchair** · Feb-25-2007, 11:27pm

I'm almost ready to decide. I might go with the Rogue.???

**Alex Orr** · Feb-26-2007, 10:35am

There are TONS of threads on this site devoted to this issue (newbies and entry-level mandos). #

From what I've heard in the time I've been here, I can tell you that Rogues have a pretty spotty reputation. #

My advice would be to call up the folks at Elderly music, tell them you are a beginner and want them to pick you out the best Kentucky KM250S they have in stock, pay for them to set it up, and then wait for it to arrive.

I have a 380S that gets a lot of compliments and has been a fine beginners instrument. #That being said, save some money and get the 250S. #It really isn't worth the extra dough to have "flamed" maple and a burst, and the extended fingerboard sucks. #I'm probably going to end up spending money getting the sucker hacked off. If I had to do it over, I would get the 250S and use the money I saved to add a bone nut and an ebony bridge.

**cooper4205** · Feb-26-2007, 10:46am

Originally Posted by (The_Big_Crunch @ Feb. 26 2007, 11:35)

I have a 380S ... the extended fingerboard sucks.

the new ones have an FB extension like the eastmans do. the 380's i used to have had the extension and i had to have it scooped out to keep from hitting it.

**firstchair** · Feb-26-2007, 11:49am

The_Big_Crunch: please define: "spotty".

**mandroid** · Feb-26-2007, 12:05pm

talk to the folks at Elderly, they have setup people on staff, and a decent reputation, and the 800 number lets you talk , rather than type at the same cost.

**Jim Broyles** · Feb-26-2007, 12:19pm

I have personally set up a Rogue as good as I could get it without replacing parts, and it just isn't a very good mandolin. You will need a professional set up if you purchase a Rogue and it will probably cost you at least another $50.00 if it doesn't need a new nut. The minimum will be fitting the bridge to the top, adjusting the action at the nut and at the bridge, intonation and fret edge filing - they are usually finger manglers on lower end fretted instruments.
Check the "Fullerton Mandolins?" thread in the next forum down. My Gloucester did not need a setup out of the box. It was very playable. I did tweak it somewhat but it was very good. The main thing was that the action was good, the intonation was very close, and the bridge was contoured perfectly to the top. And we're talking the same money or less, as the Kentucky 250.

**Alex Orr** · Feb-26-2007, 12:39pm

Originally Posted by (firstchair @ Feb. 26 2007, 12:49)

The_Big_Crunch: please define: "spotty".

I guess by using the term "spotty" I was trying to be polite to the few people who seem to have had a good experience with Rogue mandolins. #

The overall consensus I have seen on this site is that they are basically pieces of junk that will do a great deal to frustrate and hinder your development and enjoyment. #I've played their $50 dread (may be more now) and it was a pretty shoddy instrument...in just about every way.

Yeah, there are diamonds in the rough, but with Rogue, their is a LOT of rough. #

As a small caveat to Rogue, I will say that their resonators have a reputation as decent instruments for the price. #Such is not the case with their mandos.

A 250S from Elderly (with set-up) should run you maybe $350? #Even if you don't like it after a few months you can sell it back on eBay for $250 and look at the $100 lost as being the price paid for taking a shot at learning a new instrument. #If you do like mandolin, then the 250S will be decent enough to stay with for some time until you can save up a few grand in order to move to a noticably better instrument.

**mrmando** · Feb-26-2007, 1:07pm

Daniel, go to Bentley's String Instruments on Broadway in Everett and talk to Jon Bentley about mandolins. He doesn't stock many, but he knows a thing or two about them. He builds decent ones that might even be in your price range.

What IS your price range, anyhow? What's the most you could spend?