Searching for a new Mandolin - UK Based

**Ivan Kelsall** · Mar-12-2012, 2:18am

From JayA - "....I am not rushing to make this purchase.". Very sensible !. Have a really good look around,you never know what might turn up & with a limited budget,it's all the more important that your purchase is the right one.Certainly don't be put off buying a 'used' instrument as long as it's perfectly ok in all respects.You can buy a used 'better quality' instrument for the same as a new 'lesser quality' one much of the time. Remember that all the current Lloyd Loars were all 'used' when the current players bought them. Somehow it didn't put them off buying,

Ivan

**JayA** · Mar-13-2012, 1:29pm

Just a quick update:

Today I found myself heading in to London unexpectedly, so I made time to pop in to the Hobgoblin store in Rathbone St to take a look around. I wasn't necessarily looking to buy an instrument there and then, just see what was on offer.

I spoke to a very nice chap, and explained what style of music I liked, that my preference and personal liking was more for folk and classical than bluegrass, and to be honest up unto 8 weeks or so ago, I hadn't even *heard* of bluegrass!

I stated my intended budget for a Mandolin, and that ideally I wanted something that I could practice on, and become comfortable with, for a good few years, something with good tone, good volume, that could hit that sweet Italian folk sound but handle other styles, if ever I had need to play a tune or three.

The very first Mandolin he showed me was an Ashbury, with a round hole rather than f-hole style. He played it for a few minutes so I could hear what it properly sounded like before handing it to me to have a go. As soon as he played it I knew it sounded exactly as I wanted it to.

I tried a few other instruments, as he really encouraged me to do so and didn't attempt to rush me at all - he insisted I try other Mandolins to see the difference, and pretty much for the first time I was noticing the difference in sound with the hole styles. Other than a Phil Davidson Mandolin, which sounded so sweet, but which was almost three times my budget, nothing sounded like the Ashbury. Even I was making it sound good, playing basic chords, which until now I hadn't been able to achieve.

The upshot of all this being, despite my intention to take my time with a purchase, I left the shop a very happy customer and owner of a new Ashbury Mandolin. It sounds so nice, it really does, and knowing how it *can* sound is really motivating me to improve my skills so I can achieve that sound for myself on a regular basis.

I just thought I would thank everyone here for their input, and the suggestion of Hobgoblin. The staff were great, and it was good fun trying all the different Mandolins.

Many thanks.

Jay

**trevor** · Mar-13-2012, 1:40pm

That's great that you found something that ticks all the boxes for you.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Mar-14-2012, 3:32am

Excellent !!. Now you can joint the ''which strings/which pick/which strap /which case feeding frenzy''. Don't forget that if you have any questions about set-up etc.,ask away, & you'll get as many different responses as there are members - it's all good fun,
Ivan

**Beanzy** · Mar-14-2012, 11:34pm

Well done there. Can't beat the touchy feely approach to evaluating an instrument.
Do you know about the London mandolin 'self-help' group which Tosh Marshall set up?
They meet at Westbourne Rehersal Studios once a month.
I've not been along as I'm not up any weekends, but I've heard they're very welcoming and a really useful way to bring on your playing / give a focus to practice.

**JayA** · Mar-15-2012, 12:48pm

That's a great suggestion, thanks, I will check it out. Although I'm conscious of my many limitations in playing at the moment, listening to and playing with others will be a great help.

**Phil1580** · Jun-12-2012, 11:49pm

JayA....so did you get the AM-370? I have a brand new The Loar 500 that I love, but I eventually want to get an F4, and they seem tough to get for someone with limited funds. Pretty much the only ones I have looked at are Eastman 514(?) I think it is, and the Ashbury which is easily the cheapest F4 option I have found. Having had it almost 3 months can you elaborate on how you are liking it? I'm on the American side of the pond, but Hobgoblin has a US website with the Ashbury.

**JayA** · Jun-13-2012, 1:52am

Hi,

The model I purchased was the AM200:

http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/GR312...solid-Page.htm

If you view the standard sales page, the AM200 is about halfway down the page:

http://www.hobgoblin.com/local/mand-...sales-page.htm

There is a .wma sound file of the Mandolin being played by someone who knows what they are doing! So far I am getting on with it, I like it, it is comfortable, and has defended me from the dreaded MAS. I'm quite happy to stick with this as a learning instrument for a while yet.