entry level ensemble mandolin?

[schneider.guitar]

What is a good mandolin for ensemble playing in the 300-600 dollar range? Looking only for new instruments, not vintage for now.

[mrmando]

Mid-Missouri, for sure.

Not vintage, but not new either, would be a Flatiron pancake-style mandolin from the 1980s or 1990s.

[Martin Jonas]

Mid-Missouri is a good shout (or rather Big Muddy as they are now called). If you're looking to play in a classical ensemble, you may want to consider their violin scale models. They have a slightly shorter scale 13" length matching that of most bowlbacks as opposed to the standard model which has the 13 3/4" scale length introduced by Gibson and now near-universal in non-bowlbacks. Much of the classical repertoire is based on violin fingering which is optimised for violin scale.

Not a deal-breaker, though: many people play in classical ensembles with a longer-scale instrument.

Martin

[Northern Pike]

You can get a better deal by directly calling Mike at Big Muddy than going through a third party. $600 can purchase pretty much any new Big Muddy mando and a nice hardshell case. If you mess with the dealers you'll get a shopworn instrument with chip-board case for more money. I've ordered directly through them more than once.

The Rosewood model is very nice, yet don't order it without asking about the Walnut model, which kind of falls between Rosewood and Maple in tone. In addition to that, it is a beautifully figured instrument; it is an item you'll want to hang onto.

If you're willing to spend 300-500 dollars more, you could get a Weber Aspen. The body is somewhat broader and shallower than the Mid-Mos/Big Muddys, yet the sound is very good. I think Webers are overpriced, yet they are mandolins you will want to keep once you get good. The two Aspen models are flatbacks, like the Big Muddy.

[MandolinoNapoletano]

go on musikalia.it and you can get a typical neapolitan mandolin new with a maple back for about 600 that includes shipping of course... go and check it out.. don't go with flat backs though.. they'll never satisfy you! they sound muffled and should just be referred to as a guitar tuned like a mandolin lol.... they aren't real mandolins :D