Turner mandolin

[Matt Hutchinson]

Hi,

I was bought a Turner F-Style mandolin as a present a few months ago and wondered if anyone knows much about them. The Label says 'Handcrafted pro Series model MM215'. I know it cost around £200 new in the UK but haven't seen any others around.

Also, any thoughts on the best pickup/preamp setup for this kind of instrument would be greatly appreciated. So far I've looked at the Fishman and Schatten pickups but don't really know much about it. I've bitten the bullet and ditched the guitar in favour of the mandolin in my band and our first gig is in a few weeks.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Matt

[MikeEdgerton]

Does it look like this?

[Matt Hutchinson]

That's the one. I don't know much about mandolins but it seems like a pretty decent entry level instrument.

[MikeEdgerton]

This mandolin is sold under a variety of brand names, other than knowing it was manufactured in the Pacific Rim there probably isn't a whole lot of other information available.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Hi,

Thanks for the quick responses! I wondered if it was a generic instrument made to be branded by several different companies.

Would you happen to know if a Fishman or Schatten pickup would be OK for this kind of mandolin? They seem fairly similar to me and both have decent comments from users. I can't afford to spend too much but something around their price bracket plus a pre-amp would be affordable.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm sure someone will jump in that experience with those pickups. I always mic my mandolin.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Thanks Mike

[Paul Hostetter]

Use a microphone, not a pickup. Unless a natural sound is unimportant, and feedback is not an issue for you.

[Matt Hutchinson]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the input. I play in a band which will generally be amplified and includes drums so I'm worried a mic won't be enough. I guess I can try it for a few gigs & see how it goes. I've tried it in the past with acoustic guitars and, generally, a pickup works best even if you have to sacrifice the sound to a certain degree.

[mandojimmy]

Hi. I'm in the Uk and over the past year have bought wo of these Turner's. The first was at carlisle Guitar show and was £99. I think it's the best £99 mandolin ever. Bound all round and well above average sound. Much superior to all the similar priced stuff. You should go the whole way and get the Fishman bridge pick-up which works the best of all.
Jimmy Powells

[Matt Hutchinson]

Thanks Jimmy. It certainly feels like a more expensive instrument to me and I'm definitely happy with it. I am tempted to get the Fishman to be honest as there will be louder gigs at some point where I will need a pickup of some kind.

Matt