First Mandolin

**dobbo049** · Jun-19-2012, 10:13am

Kieran has actually been very helpful about the Loar mandolins on his website

If I wasn't now leaning towards the Kentucky, I would have brought from there, who knows, I still might. But these Loars are looking increasingly less attractive :/

**Fstpicker** · Jun-19-2012, 10:29am

I just purchased a very slightly used (in true mint condition) Loar LM-520VS mandolin locally. Compared to my LM-400VS that I just sold and was made in February 2010, this LM-520VS was made in (I believe) November 2011 and is in perfect cosmetic condition with no visible flaws whatsoever, and also perfect mechanical condition. Yes, it was set-up already, so it didn't have to have that done to it, thankfully. Seems like, at least in this particular case, the quality of the Loars have been much improved and definitely better made overall. I am extremely pleased with the sound as well, as it is every bit the equal of my LM-400VS that I just sold, and perhaps a tad more. And it has hardly been played by it's previous owner, so will only get better and better tonally.

Just wanted to offer this as many have mentioned the poor QC of a few of the new Loars, which I'm not doubting at all. However, perhaps they have turned a corner to some extent, and got their act together a little better as far as QC goes.

As already mentioned, all mandolins, including foreign or domestic ones, require a good set up before ownership regardless of the name.

I think a Kentucky 505 would be an excellent choice for a first-time mandolin from what I gather and the reviews I've read online, providing it is set-up before you get it. Kentucky has been making mandolins for many years, and they know what they are doing.

Jeff

**dobbo049** · Jun-19-2012, 10:35am

I don't doubt that most of them are great mandolins

I've herd nothing but good things about the sound, It just seems like every now and then a bad one slips through the lines, and I don't like the way they seem to vary soo much. I get the idea I would end up keep swapping it because I wasn't totally happy with it :P

**rgray** · Jun-19-2012, 11:38am

The Kentucky 505 is a great mandolin and was my first "real" mandolin. But given that you self-describe as "over fussy", I highly recommend you take a roadtrip to either find the mandolin you want or sample an assortment to help narrow down before buying sight unseen. I realize distances may be a problem but I believe you will achieve greater satisfaction. You might also find a great deal on a used mandolin that you would never have considered.

**John Kinn** · Jun-19-2012, 4:36pm

The last time I visited Hobgoblin they had a nice Kentucky KM 900. If it's still there, you could give them an offer.

**dobbo049** · Jun-20-2012, 11:09am

Ok so it doesn't look hobgoblin or the other place I found offer it with the case included, and neither seem to know what I'm talking about when I ask if it comes with a full set up.

**Fstpicker** · Jun-20-2012, 11:02pm

Originally Posted by dobbo049

Ok so it doesn't look hobgoblin or the other place I found offer it with the case included, and neither seem to know what I'm talking about when I ask if it comes with a full set up.

That's scary! I'd stay away from them if that is the case, unless you know a luthier you can take it too to set it up.

Jeff

**dobbo049** · Jun-21-2012, 1:49am

Certainly not in the way everyone does here anyway :/ the first one said "the suppliers set it up for us" (which means no) and hobgoblin said "we can set it up how you like" which I'm a bit doubtfull about too.

I think Kieran might be able to get me one in but he's on holiday at the moment so will have to wait until he gets back.

**trevor** · Jun-21-2012, 2:15am

Hobgoblin have a repair/set-up person at each branch but they carry so many different instruments the person at each store may be a specialist in bagpipes or concertinas...

**almeriastrings** · Jun-21-2012, 2:49am

I am not quite sure why "we can set it up how you like" gives cause for concern?

That is pretty much what I'd say to anyone needing such work. Obviously, I would expect the person then to specify what they like! For example, some specifics on string height, favourite gauges, etc. If I was the customer, I would ask about whether the fit of the bridge is checked, and how much adjustment is going to available.

**Johnny60** · Jun-21-2012, 3:32am

When I bought my very first Mandolin (a Savannah) it was "set up" by the guy in Hobgoblin where I bought it. It was awful. Intonation was shocking, action was high, it buzzed like a chainsaw and just wouldn't stay in tune - this was AFTER the set-up! I took it back a week later when it developed a huge split down the back, and got a Kentucky KM 162. I got my guitar tech to set it up for me and it's superb.

To be fair, maybe the Savannah was just a total Friday-afternoon "dog" and no amount of set up could save it?

**dobbo049** · Jun-21-2012, 3:58am

To be honest, I could probably have a good go at setting it up myself, I occasionally tweak all my guitars after all.

The only thing is, as I have tried to say, I have never played a mandolin before, so If someone asked me how I would like it set up, I honestly would have no idea. For example my electric guitars generally have the action quite low so I can move easily between notes on solos, riffs and melodies, where as my acoustic action is quite high so I can give the strings a good strum without getting any buzzing. So if they where to ask me how I want it set up, I wouldn't know, all I know is that the people on here have told me that mandolins generally benefit from a proper professional setup. Some people charge for it, and I've always been a firm believer in "you get what you pay for", so I would rather pay a little extra for someone who knows exactly what they are doing to spend a bit extra time setting it up properly.

I generally feel a bit more comfortable when someone says, ok well I will give it a full setup, I will do this, that and this for £50. Rather than someone who says, yeah we can do anything.

**NG53** · Jun-21-2012, 4:20am

Why not go for this one in the Mandolin Cafe classifieds - The Loar LM-400 w/ Ca Bridge And Allen Tailpiece - Used $449? He might let it go for $400.00

It sounds like a good deal - with the exchange rate between the UK pound and the US dollar. You should be able to get that into the UK for 285 pounds plus shipping and VAT. I would not worry so much about the colour of the sunburst. Just find the best instrument for the price you are prepared to pay.

**trevor** · Jun-21-2012, 4:23am

You shouldn't have to pay for a set-up. If its is not set-up to the point where it is easily playable and the intonation is correct it is not of 'merchantable quality' and you have a legal claim against the supplier. This does seem to be terribly hard work for you. It shouldn't be this hard..

Though any reputable supplier should do this as a matter of course without even thinking about it. I can't imagine sending out an instrument that isn't correct, apart from the ethical aspect it creates more work for me in the long run and hits my reputation.

**dobbo049** · Jun-21-2012, 12:33pm

Yeh I know I've turned this into a bit of a mission haven't I lol, but I think I'm set now in the Kentucky 505 and I'm going to leave it at that. Hopefully keiran can help me out when he's back from holiday, as I'm off too for a few days now

**Jimdalf** · Jun-21-2012, 3:17pm

Originally Posted by dobbo049

Ok so it doesn't look hobgoblin or the other place I found offer it with the case included, and neither seem to know what I'm talking about when I ask if it comes with a full set up.

That's a real shame Dobbo, which shop or point of contact did you use, if you don't mind me asking?

**dobbo049** · Jun-24-2012, 3:28pm

Originally Posted by Jimdalf

That's a real shame Dobbo, which shop or point of contact did you use, if you don't mind me asking?

Well the other shop was Andertons, they are a shop not too far from me and where i brought my last acoustic guitar, they are very good but as far as I know they arent experts on mandolins, the only one they had in stock they said was a display model and it did have a few signs of use.

I sent an email to the main contact one for hobgoblin, they are still an option but I was kind of expecting them to know exactly what needed to be done to set it up. Its also going to push me a bit over budget getting it from there.

I think my best bet is Keiran, I can benefit slightly from the euro exchange and postage is free so Im waiting for him to get back from holiday and sort me out a quote