yet another newbie asking for buying advice

[sammy baby]

Hi folks,

I'm a long-time violin/fiddle player currently looking at purchasing a first mandolin. I'm good enough at the violin that playing on a truly bad or poorly set up instrument will make me sad, but I'm also a cheapskate, which is making this pretty difficult for me. May I ask you lovely folk to help me out with a purchase recommendation? So far, I've been looking at the Martin Backpacker mandolin, since it's very inexpensive and the reviews I've read suggest that it's a serviceable instrument.

Other considerations:

• I used to play a lot of guitar, although I haven't really played regularly since high school.
• I love the sound of octave mandolins, although I figured there's no chance I can afford one.
• I would rent one first if I could find a place which would rent them.

Many thanks,
Sammy

[fatt-dad]

I can't imagine being happy with a Martin Backpacker. If your interests are learning to play fiddle tunes on the mandolin, you may be very happy with a Flatiron "pancake" model. They come in three models (1, 2 and 3). I'm very happy with my model 1 and they're like $500 or $600 used. Elderly often has a few in their inventory. Some folks also like the "Big Muddy" or "Mid Missouri" mandolins. They are identical, it's just the Mid Missouri company changed their name a few years ago. These mandolins are also flat-top models and provide a pretty good sounding bang for your buck.

In the arched top lineup, the prevailing favorites seem to be "The Loar," "Eastman" and "Kentucky." Never played any of these. Every once and a while you'll see a carved top Flatiron for under a grand.

Just so you know (and being your first post), flat-top mandolins are typically less expensive than carved top mandolins. The sound different too (neither a good or bad thing). Arched top mandolins typicaly come in A-model or F-model versions. The scroll of the f-model is decorative (i.e., provides little sound enhancement).

Most carved top mandolins come in oval hole or f-hole varieties. These do sound different with the oval hole having more sustain and the f-hole being somewhat more precussive.

Welcome to the 'cafe.

f-d

[J Mangio]

For a starter Mando, I'd give the Epiphone MM-20 at MF a hard look; have it set up with D'addario J-74 strings
and for around 200 bucks your off and running and with a Gibson lifetime warranty.

[Paul Busman]

Unless you find a used one, you can't get a Martin Backpacker. As far as I know they're not making them anymore.

[Pete Summers]

Kentucky has several A model, solid wood carved top mandolins for under $400, Rover RM 50 (if you can find it) is a pretty good starter mandolin for around $170. Of course, as everyone on this site will tell you, set-up is the key to enjoying any mandolin, even the $49 Rogue.

I'd consider buying from one of the sponsors of this site like the Mandolin Store, FolkMusician, Elderly, Janet Davis, etc, if you can't find stores locally. All have good reputations and do set-ups.

[allenhopkins]

Define "cheapskate" -- $5.95, $100, $400? Whaddaya prepared to spend? Makes a lot of difference.

The Backpacker was basically a dumb idea (you think mandolins are too big?), which is why they don't make 'em any more. "Serviceable" in that you could learn to play on it, but it's puny soundbox precludes getting much out of it acoustically.

Beware the "mandolin shaped objects" that clutter eBay, in a dazzling variety of colors. Look for a relatively recognized brand, like Rover, Kentucky, perhaps Epiphone. As you climb the price ladder, you start getting instruments made of solid wood instead of plywood; first the top, then all 'round, top, back and sides. Next rung up, carved instead of heat-pressed tops and backs, then hand-carved tops and backs. You're into several hundred buxx now, but quality steadily improves.

Entry-level octave mandolins are affordable -- if you have $5-600, that is; Gold Tone and Trinity College make respectable instruments, and there are used ones around. Estimate about twice what a "standard" mandolin of comparable quality would cost.

Don't be afraid to buy used, from a reputable dealer, or even from a classified ad if you have a friend with expertise to check out the instrument. Make sure whatever you buy is properly set up -- bridge height & location, nut height and slotting, truss rod tweaking if necessary, decent strings. Consider the need for a case, strap, tuner etc. as part of the deal.

[Tim2723]

Hi and welcome!

I don't have much to add to those excellent replies except to reinforce the idea that the Backpacker would not be the best choice for your first mandolin, even if you can find one. All the instruments mentioned are fine starters, but we could help you zero in on an optimum choice if we know your budget.

[Jim Ferguson]

I too discourage getting a Martin backpacker mando!!!! Spend $200-$300 & pick yourself up a nice Kentucky KM140s or 150........a nice sound for the $$$$.
Peace,

[JEStanek]

If you can spend up to $375 you can get a used Trinity College Octave Mandolin. You may also find some very decent used Mid Missouri (now Big Muddy) flat topped mandolins along with the advice others gave. I wouldn't recommend a Backpacker for a first mandolin either. They have no bottom end.

Welcome to the Cafe.

[sammy baby]

Thanks everyone for your responses! The Backpacker idea was based on a few of the reviews I read: I figured that in addition to its small size (okay, I know mandolins aren't exactly huge) they'd be a bit more rugged than the average instrument, and I therefore wouldn't feel too terrible about it if I accidentally, say, dropped it.

I'll look into a used Trinity Octave. My range is basically right around $350-400 (if I cross the 400 line, I think my wife may turn the new instrument into a hat, via blunt force trauma). After reading a bit more, I'm considering that the fingerings of a standard mandolin would likely be a lot closer to what I'm used to than an octave given the size difference.

Also, specifically to JEStanek - you're in Pottstown? I'm from Paoli.

Many thanks once again,
Sammy

[JEStanek]

Yes. My wife works in Exton. If you're this close, you can go to Bucks County Folk Music in New Briton, near Doylestown. They have Mid Mo/Big Muddy and other things on the wall there.

Jamie

[sammy baby]

Thanks Jamie - I'll do my best to swing by there this weekend.

[JEStanek]

It's a wierd vibe there. I always feel like they're annoyed that I'm there. When I asked another friend about that he said they do everyone like that so it isn't just you. Anyhoo... they usually have some mid mos on the wall and some other stuff. There may not be much in your price range but if you find you like the mid mo/big muddys you could post a wanted ad for a used one.

Since it's a haul from Paoli, you might want to call them first to see how much they have in the shop before driving all that way.

Jamie

[Tim2723]

I therefore wouldn't feel too terrible about it if I accidentally, say, dropped it.

You never feel good when you drop it. But if you're like me, you get used to it.

[Steve Ostrander]

and I therefore wouldn't feel too terrible about it if I accidentally, say, dropped it.

I thought we were talking about mandolins, not banjos

[fatt-dad]

mandolins are not too fragile (not to be rough that is).

f-d

[Bob Tedrow]

Loar Mandolins start around $500
Http://hmi.homewood.net

[Mike Snyder]

I own a Martin Backpacker. I would not have made that purchase if I'd ever been aroung one for long. There are much better options and you're getting good advise via this thread. Personally, I would keep an eye on the cafe classifieds for something vintage, say a Stradolin or a refinished or otherwise devalued Gibson A. I'm not crazy about what I'm seeing ala' Pac-Rim entry-level stuff these days. Good luck.

[CRMCRM]

<snip>Rover RM 50 (if you can find it) is a pretty good starter mandolin for around $170.

Just ordered a Rover RM 50 on Amazon for ~ $120. I plan to take it to Spruce Tree in Madison WI for a set up when it arrives next week.

CRMCRM

[Markus]

CRMCRM, let me know how that goes for you @ Spruce Tree.