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Thread: Looking for a Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Looking for a Mandolin

    Hey all,

    I am an avid guitar player and occasionally pick up the banjo and mandolin. I have an old Harmony mandolin that's not worth much more than wood for kindling. I don't know a great deal about mandolins but am wanting a decent one to play around with. Here's some of what I want.

    -I play a lot of different styles. A lot of rock, folk, and some bluegrass. I'm not necessarily looking for a bluegrass mandolin though.
    -I like ukelele tuning a lot (Hey, I'm a guitarist)
    -A or F style (it doesn't matter)
    -Under $500

    I've had my eye on a Gold Tone GM-50 and a Kentucky KM505. But I'm in no way attached to those, just saying to give you an idea of what I'm looking at.

    Much thanks.

  2. #2
    Registered User jefflester's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    The Kentucky KM505 would be an excellent choice.

  3. #3
    Destroyer of Mandolins
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    +1 on the Kentucky 505. A very popular choice for those in your price range.
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  4. #4
    Registered User Douglas McMullin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    If you have a Kentucky 505 in your sights it would certainly be a solid choice in your price range. A used Eastman 505 would be good competing option.

  5. #5
    Registered User man dough nollij's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    I second the Eastman 505. I got mine for $499 on sale at the Mandolin Store. Dennis got a bunch of them in and was selling them quick at that smokin' price. I asked him to play them all and send me the one he thought had the best tone. I got a particularly good one-- it sounds and plays great, and has been totally stable, even on the harsh continent.

  6. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by man dough nollij View Post
    ...it...has been totally stable, even on the harsh continent.
    And its owner?
    Allen Hopkins
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  7. #7
    Registered User 8ch(pl)'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    I would look for a used Mid Missouri (now called Big Muddy), should cost about $350.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    And its owner?
    Allen, that was just perfect!

  9. #9
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    I agree that a Big Muddy (Mid-missouri) would be a good choice. Also look for a Flatiron model 1N. Those are better than the Big Muddy (though also more expensive). I have owned both.
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  10. #10
    Registered User man dough nollij's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    And its owner?
    Except for random acts of staring into space and drooling...

  11. #11

    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by man dough nollij View Post
    Except for random acts of staring into space and drooling...
    Happy New Year Lee.

  12. #12
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by guitarpicker89 View Post
    -I like ukelele tuning a lot (Hey, I'm a guitarist)
    -.
    Are you planning to tune the mandolin as a uke?
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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  13. #13
    formerly Philphool Phil Goodson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Phil

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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    I would favor the Kentucky 505 but everyone has made good suggestions.

  15. #15
    Registered User kirksdad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    I have heard some great things about the Loars, a few of the models are about $100 above what you are looking to spend. I would advise playing as many mandos as you can in the price range, or check the classifieds here as there usually are some good deals. I just hope you don't catch a bad dose of MAS, if you do, there isn't anything we can do to help.........
    One day I'll stop all this crazy buyin', practicin', and playin'........course I'll be dead.......

  16. #16

    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Thanks for all the help guys. You brought up some names I'd never heard before. Definitely helps guide my scrounging around. I found out about the Mandolin Hut in Knoxville TN and it looks promising, lots of mandos in one place.

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    That's a great idea. If you're new to the instrument, there's nothing better than being able to compare a bunch head-to-head. Best learn some standard mando chords, though! (I don't think they'd appreciate you retuning all their stock!)
    Mitch Russell

  18. #18

    Default Re: Looking for a Mandolin

    Oh I know the basics of mandolin in standard tuning. It's just been recently that i decided to try some different tunings and i really like the lower sound of uke tuning. I play a mix of music so it will probably drift between standard for bluegrass and other tunings for acoustic/folk.

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