First Steps When Buying A Used Mandolin

**Virginian** · Jun-25-2012, 1:50pm

I just recently bought a Kentucky 675 on eBay and should be receiving it in the next week. I've been playing on a terrible little Johnson for a couple of years now and saw what appeared to be a good deal, so I traded up.

In the meantime, what type of things should I look out for when I first get the unit? From other threads, I've gathered that I should probably (1) inspect the unit for damage/accuracy of item listing and (2) play it with the original strings (to check for damage). If the mandolin has been used for the past year-or-so, shouldn't it already be set-up?

(Forgive me if I'm in the wrong forum or double-posting. I'm not sure exactly where to ask these questions, but have referenced your site a lot for information and wanted to get your take on what I should do or expect to do. THANKS!)

**Fstpicker** · Jun-25-2012, 2:12pm

There is no guarantee of a set-up being done, unless it was specifically stated so. Even then, how good a set up it has can vary. Sometimes, you have to factor in the extra charge to have your local luthier do a set-up when getting a used instrument, and sometimes even on a new instrument if not purchased from a reputable dealer who includes a decent set up in the price. If you're lucky, it will be set up already. Hopefully so.

Jeff

**rgray** · Jun-25-2012, 2:41pm

Click here for a blog with mandolin buying tips written by Cafe member, nonprophet.

And welcome to the Cafe to a fellow Virginian just up the road.

**fatt-dad** · Jun-25-2012, 3:55pm

Dave Cohen (in the builder's database) has set up pretty much all of my mandolins. He's in Richmond (so am I).

Welcome to the Cafe!

f-d

**Virginian** · Jun-25-2012, 4:20pm

Thanks, guys! I knew set-up "was a possibility" (if not just flat-out probable) simply because I'm ordering something off eBay. Fortunately, I've been lucky enough to get some pretty good stuff/instruments off Craigslist (last instrument was a 1935 HN White cornet I got for around $100, including shipping... sounds beautiful). I'll cross my fingers that it comes already set, but just in case...

...I contacted a local shop in Fredericksburg called "Picker's Supply" in Fredericksburg. They said if it was just a simple bridge/strings kind of thing, it would just be around $30. I'm fully prepared to need more work than that, but hopefully I luck-out. I'll check out that place in Richmond, too.

Side note: I know it depends on the quality that I receive the unit in, but do you think $370 was a decent price for the Kentucky 675? It seemed like it might be, but I'd love someone to confirm my insanity.

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**Dave Cowles** · Jun-25-2012, 4:41pm

Originally Posted by Virginian

Side note: I know it depends on the quality that I receive the unit in, but do you think $370 was a decent price for the Kentucky 675? It seemed like it might be, but I'd love someone to confirm my insanity.

Unless it is half destroyed or a complete dog, you got a great deal, IMO.

**Folkmusician.com** · Jun-25-2012, 6:23pm

Very good deal for a KM-675. The images look great. That is an older version (at least 5 years, maybe more). Surprisingly clean for that age. The bridge may be bottomed out (not a big deal). Mainly you are looking for a neck that will adjust straight and no structural issues. Aside from that, anything else can be addressed with a setup.

**Fstpicker** · Jun-25-2012, 7:20pm

Excellent price!! Never seen that model for that kind of money for a long time. Hope it works out as well as it looks to be.

Jeff

**fatt-dad** · Jun-25-2012, 8:05pm

Pickers Supply is a great spot. I'm sure they have folks that can setup a mandolin.

Have fun!

f-d

**Virginian** · Jun-25-2012, 9:13pm

Good to know that atleast it appears to be a good deal. I have been paying for the wife to finish college and was thrilled that I found this listing that appeared to be a good buy... and even more shocked that she let me pull the trigger on it! Hopefully it's another eBay success story.

Thanks for all your help and I'll make sure to post pictures when it comes in.

**Mike Snyder** · Jun-25-2012, 10:37pm

If you have a few bucks budgeted for set-up, why not take it directly to your guy-of-choice upon arrival? You want to get the most out of your new purchase and at the same time be sure there are no problems lurking about that a newbie (no offense intended) might miss. Get the thing dialed in before you have a chance for buyers remorse. There are some awful-sounding instruments that only need good strings and a tweak or two to be decent players.

**Virginian** · Jun-26-2012, 8:58am

I'm going to take it by him, but I want to play it a little bit "out of the box" as sort of a "factory acceptance" (misnomer in this context, obviously). From a lot of what I've read on here regarding eBay purchases, you want to identify if there are any structural problems without modifying the instrument up-front so you have grounds to file a complaint. There was another thread I saw on here about a guy who did something as simple as change the strings on his instrument and eBay just closed out his complaint on the grounds that he "modified" the item.

...but, yes, I do plan on taking it to the shop regardless of the apparent quality. I'm pretty well versed on guitars and what to look out for there, but I'm sure there are a lot of aspects to a mandolin that differ when it comes to condition and true quality. That's one of the things I'm hoping to get better versed on with this web-community.

**multidon** · Jun-26-2012, 3:38pm

I am an ex-Fredericksburg area resident. I lived there for 20 years before retiring to PA (my home state). I can tell you that Picker's Supply would be a great place to have your mandolin checked out and it will be money well spent. While you are waiting to talk to someone you could check out their mandolin selection. Last time I was there (it's been a couple of years) they had some nice Eastmans, Webers, and a couple by local makers. It's only a matter of time now before you catch the dreaded MAS! (Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome)! Good Luck!

**Virginian** · Jun-26-2012, 4:20pm

Originally Posted by multidon

I am an ex-Fredericksburg area resident. I lived there for 20 years before retiring to PA (my home state). I can tell you that Picker's Supply would be a great place to have your mandolin checked out and it will be money well spent. While you are waiting to talk to someone you could check out their mandolin selection. Last time I was there (it's been a couple of years) they had some nice Eastmans, Webers, and a couple by local makers. It's only a matter of time now before you catch the dreaded MAS! (Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome)! Good Luck!

Before I can catch MAS, I must improve my FAS (Funds Available Status).

(zing)

**belbein** · Jun-26-2012, 4:39pm

Virginian: You can do set-up yourself. It's not hard, unless you have intermediate problems (like a badly cut nut or a messed up bridge). It will cost you about $30 out of pocket. First, contact Robster and see if you can get a copy of his book on set-up. It's great, every easy to understand, and step-by-step. Then you'll have to go by an auto supply store to buy some guages--$10. Then a new set of strings: if you're new to the mandolin, go light or medium, and personally, I'd go cheap on those, too, because you'll probably change them soon. You aren't going to need needle files or saws or a new nut or anything. I know it will make you cringe to do this yourself, but the worst thing that can happen is that you'll learn something about the geometry of the instrument and screw up and have to spend $30 on a set up. Chances are 493 to 1 that you will be able to do this yourself, and you'll be on your way to really owning that instrument. (Oh, and by the way--once you've put the money out, don't ever ask if it's a good deal. A "legitimate sale" is one with a willing buyer and a willing seller. A "bargain" is one where you've already handed over the oney and it's too late to do anything about it. Once you've put the money down, it's a good deal by definition.)

**Virginian** · Jun-27-2012, 8:15am

Well, the deal isn't over yet... I still have to receive the unit! The seller is being terrible at returning e-mails, but I've had that before on solid transactions (I digress).

That Mandolin Owner's Manual from Frets.com is addicting. I spent some serious time last night reading it before going to bed (gosh, am I already THAT far gone?) and really learned a lot about restringing, bridge placement, and string types. I'm actually going to go ahead and redo the 'set-up' on my beater and see how that turns out. That way if I mess up, I didn't do it on my KM-675.

(Another side-note: I know the 675 isn't a "fine" instrument like some of the Gibsons you guys talk about owning but... you know... it's "fine" to me at my level. Honestly, I listen to guys like Chris Thile and wonder if I'll ever be good enough to actually need an instrument THAT capable! Haha.)