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Thread: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

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    en kunnskapssøker James Miller's Avatar
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    Question Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Myself am partial to ovals for their inherent mellow sound and great sustain. Not knowing the various manufacturers, limited experience, & only having limited hands-on availability, what are one's best choices in the $400~$450 range?

    Do know a few used ones come up that have a good price on them. I keep searching for a good deal. Want something that will last a few years, have a good tone for playing with other acoustic instruments, didgeridoo, and solo.

    Looking for one to bring in the new year, and last a few years with a smooth rich tone.

    Thank you, again. And have a Merry Christmas!
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    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by IdahoTrailLizard View Post
    Myself am partial to ovals for their inherent mellow sound and great sustain. Not knowing the various manufacturers, limited experience, & only having limited hands-on availability, what are one's best choices in the $400~$450 range?
    I think that you have a range of options among used domestic flattops in that price range. I referenced Mid-Missouri / Big Muddy in your other thread, and I have also owned alternatives built by Gypsy (the late Walt Kuhlman), Redline, and Flatiron. The latter are among the best sounding pancakes I've played, and there are two on Reverb that come in at the low end of your budget. One is an early model that has the cache of being pre-Gibson buyout:

    https://reverb.com/item/7531832-flat...dolin-1sb-1983

    The other comes from a bit later but offers an adjustable truss rod:

    https://reverb.com/item/7526642-flat...et-1990-cherry

    There is also a slightly more expensive Cadet should Santa leave some extra mandolin money in your stocking:

    https://reverb.com/item/7444317-earl...lin-dark-brown
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    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Completely agree on the above - was watching the cherry Cadet until I went a different direction with my Californian.

    Have seen a couple of used Big Muddy/Mid-Missouri show up on-line in that range. Guitar Center had one recently, but it appears to have sold.

    And if you are willing to take a change on eBay, you can find used Martin A style mandolins in that range. Looks like the last 2 sold for under $400. (One had a crack)
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Flat top mandolins are not for everyone. Some prefer carved top mandolins. Both Kentucky and Eastman manufacture good student grade oval hole mandolins . Some models are within your price range new and more models used. Keep in mind Elderley Instruments , The Mandolin Store and The Folk Musician sites as good places to shop for well setup ready to play instruments. R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    You can almost get a new Morris flatop in your price range. They get great reviews. I’d stick with the Mandolin Cafe classifieds for something used, if possible.

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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by UsuallyPickin View Post
    Flat top mandolins are not for everyone. Some prefer carved top mandolins. Both Kentucky and Eastman manufacture good student grade oval hole mandolins . Some models are within your price range new and more models used. Keep in mind Elderley Instruments , The Mandolin Store and The Folk Musician sites as good places to shop for well setup ready to play instruments. R/
    Good advice above !

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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Best new and currently available oval in your price range is Kentucky KM-270
    https://www.elderly.com/kentucky-km-270-mandolin.htm
    Use promo code "SONG" to save 10%. Total comes to $337.50
    Here's a good case for $42.50 with code SAVE15
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...-mandolin-case

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    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    You guys in the US don’t know how lucky you are! I just priced up a KM-270, just shy of $800 this side of the pond!

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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by OneChordTrick View Post
    You guys in the US don’t know how lucky you are! I just priced up a KM-270, just shy of $800 this side of the pond!
    Believe me we do, but life is a trade off, and your way of life has certain distinct advantages. It is just a matter of how we pay differently for things.
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    Mangler of Tunes OneChordTrick's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by Br1ck View Post
    Believe me we do, but life is a trade off, and your way of life has certain distinct advantages. It is just a matter of how we pay differently for things.
    From where I’m sitting I’d be inclined to disagree but I suspect that it would become too political suffice to say that I enjoyed the year that I spent living in NYC.

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    en kunnskapssøker James Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Seen a really good looking and sounding (YouTube) mandolin available only in the UK since the seller said shipping to us in the USA would be astronomical in price. Was a fanciful looking one that came highly recommended - however I do not recall where I found it offhand last month. So y'all do have some region specific mandolins that a non-wealthy person can obtain from over on this side of the great pond.
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    en kunnskapssøker James Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    I think that you have a range of options among used domestic flattops in that price range. I referenced Mid-Missouri / Big Muddy in your other thread, and I have also owned alternatives built by Gypsy (the late Walt Kuhlman), Redline, and Flatiron. The latter are among the best sounding pancakes I've played, and there are two on Reverb that come in at the low end of your budget. One is an early model that has the cache of being pre-Gibson buyout:

    https://reverb.com/item/7531832-flat...dolin-1sb-1983

    The other comes from a bit later but offers an adjustable truss rod:

    https://reverb.com/item/7526642-flat...et-1990-cherry

    There is also a slightly more expensive Cadet should Santa leave some extra mandolin money in your stocking:

    https://reverb.com/item/7444317-earl...lin-dark-brown

    Not hear a FlatIron type before. Am guessing the name came from a cast iron pan or something shape? Will look on YouTube later and see what these sound like. I did message two of the owners to see if they YouTube samples available, and there was a Weber Y2K for a bit more than I want to pay on Ebay that I also asked for a YouTube play sample.

    Seen some Y2K in the past for great prices. Wished I had gotten the bug again earlier in the year. Have gained a lot of information reading over this forum and watching/listing to YouTube & Podcasts. That Moose guy lessons I find more useful that most, although there are no charts available to download anymore - Music Moose? I like his style in teaching.

    Thank you VERY MUCH for the feedback all. :D
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    I think the Eastman 404 and 504 at The Mandolin Store would be hard to beat. NFI. Check out the pre-owned section.

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    Down the road I go Trav'linmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Idahotrail, you need to look at the used 404 at The Mandolin Store. At the upper end of your price range and will be properly set up. I have owned a 404 for a while now and find myself playing her quite often. Be aware that the Eastman neck is not everyone idea of comfortable. I do prefer the shape myself. And like you, I enjoy the tone and sustain of an oval hole.
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    I have an Eastman md514 oval hole and it makes a pretty sweet deep sound which in very happy with. I think you can find one used for your budget
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    en kunnskapssøker James Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by Trav'linmando View Post
    Idahotrail, you need to look at the used 404 at The Mandolin Store. At the upper end of your price range and will be properly set up. I have owned a 404 for a while now and find myself playing her quite often. Be aware that the Eastman neck is not everyone idea of comfortable. I do prefer the shape myself. And like you, I enjoy the tone and sustain of an oval hole.
    For $50 more can get an Eastman 504 ~ Tempting, sooo tempting. Keep trying to tell myself to spend less though. This forum reminds me of MTO in ways, end up wanting to buy more stuff.

    Merry Christmas All
    Last edited by James Miller; Dec-25-2017 at 3:58am.
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    The advice I give to my students is to set a hundred dollars a month aside for 2 years and get something in the 2000, $2,500 range. While you can get something playable in the $400 range ultimately you won't be satisfied with it and you will end up spending a lot more money upgrading at a later point.

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    poor excuse for anything Charlieshafer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by themandocello View Post
    The advice I give to my students is to set a hundred dollars a month aside for 2 years and get something in the 2000, $2,500 range. While you can get something playable in the $400 range ultimately you won't be satisfied with it and you will end up spending a lot more money upgrading at a later point.
    Nice thought, but that assumes they will have an extra $100, and that one will stick with the mandolin long enough, and that when one gets to $2500, they won't want a $5000 instrument. Chasing upwards is fun, but to make that an essential part of playing turns a lot of students and parents off. There's some good stuff out there for around $400, and there are plenty of musicians touring with instruments in that price range in order to save their good ones from the rigors of the road. Sometimes less is more.

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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    James:

    Check out the Eastman MD304. I have a 305 and It sounds great.

  27. #20
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlieshafer View Post
    Nice thought, but that assumes they will have an extra $100, and that one will stick with the mandolin long enough, and that when one gets to $2500, they won't want a $5000 instrument. Chasing upwards is fun, but to make that an essential part of playing turns a lot of students and parents off. There's some good stuff out there for around $400, and there are plenty of musicians touring with instruments in that price range in order to save their good ones from the rigors of the road. Sometimes less is more.
    It also depends on what type of sound you are chasing. For an oval hole, I don't think one needs to have $2,000 to get a perfectly good "forever" instrument. I'm thinking more about vintage Gibson oval holes and most flat top instruments can be had well under that price range. Even used US made Breedloves are well under that price at present. The oval holes are less easy to find (only one on Reverb right now). They are out there and cheap for what they are.

    FWIW, both of my oval holes combined cost well under $2,000 so I have an obvious bias here.
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    en kunnskapssøker James Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Hmm... noticed something strange on these other mandolins compared to the Rogue's fingerboard.

    Above the double-dot on the fingerboard "G" there are 4 dots down the neck. Going up the neck (in tone) are
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    These others appear to have dropped the first ○ altogether!

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    https://www.elderly.com/acoustics/ma...2-mandolin.htm

    | | | | |○| | ○| | |○| |8| | |○| |○| | | | \
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    https://www.elderly.com/acoustics/ma...lin-gigbag.htm

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    I these are so called entry level mandolins why are they not marking the lower frets nearest the neck? This to confuse beginners or something?
    That one mark is not even on the edge, so guess for a more expensive mandolin these manufacturers must of forgotten that one section where most of us start out playing 2 fingered chords. Guess this means we'll have to drill a small hole on the side and fill with paint or something for a reference point??

    For a lower end of the market, the Rogue toy sure didn't forget that point.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  29. #22
    en kunnskapssøker James Miller's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Weber sure didn't forget it...
    Attachment 163422

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    I find this rather odd...

    Found some Loar on Reverb, they forgot the extra reference dot. Must be certain manufacturers that leave it out on "entry level mandolins" for some quirky reason or another.

    Fender did not forget.
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    Last edited by James Miller; Dec-25-2017 at 10:58pm.
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  30. #23
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    just pointing out, I don't ever recognize the fretboard markers on the fretboard. Now, the sideboard markers, I do notice them!

    I will agree there is variability in manufacturer's fretboard markers. There is also variability in the neck joint. Oval hole mandolins with a 15-fret neck joint are known as, "Hybrid" oval holes. Traditional oval hole mandolins have a 12-fret neck joint and transverse bracing. Hybrids are not like that. As such, they sound unique - not bad to some, but not the same as the traditional oval hole mandolin. It's a blending of the arch-top f-hole mandolin to the oval hole look, which does modify the sound.

    Your OP discusses oval hole sustain, which can be very real. That said, if somebody asked me about a first mandolin, I'd likely advise to get an arch-top f-hole mandolin. They are much more versatile than bluegrass. Heck, listen to what Thile is playing on his, "Bluegrass" box!

    Pheff gave good leads on pancakes. (Flatiron is a geologic structure next to Boulder and the character of the mountains in Bozeman is similar.)

    I love my pancake!

    I also love my oval hole Gibson A3. The paddle head Gibson mandolins are actually great bargains, if that's the direction you want.

    I do have two A5-type mandolins too, which is often what I play in large jams or perform (rarely and as a hack).

    If properly set up, a new Kentucky KM-270 is likely for getting your feet wet. Saving for a Collings MT or something of that ilk may be the end game though? Unless you get scroll envy!

    f-d
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  32. #24
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    Quote Originally Posted by UsuallyPickin View Post
    Flat top mandolins are not for everyone. Some prefer carved top mandolins.
    To be clear, I am one who prefers carved top mandolins, even among ovals. But there are also some who prefer independently built instruments to factory produced ones, American made mandolins to imports, and gently used offerings to new versions. Hopefully we can all agree that we prefer bigger budgets! But the OP will have to decide which of these preferences is most important in his price range.
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  33. #25

    Default Re: Real Starter Mandolin recommendations around $400~ range?

    One more suggestion would be a Howard "Sonny" Morris mandolin. He makes a flat top oval hole mandolin for around $550. slightly over your budget but worth considering. Sonny will post in the classifieds or on ebay. You might see if some one has a used one.

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