Looking to buy a mandolin

**mullac51** · Jul-02-2012, 4:51pm

Hello, I'm looking to start learning the mandolin and I was wondering which mandolin would be the best for me. I was looking at the stagg M40s, would this be a good mandolin to start me off?
Thanks!

**John Gardinsky** · Jul-02-2012, 9:03pm

If you tell us your price range and type of music you are interested in you'll get more responses.

**allenhopkins** · Jul-02-2012, 9:36pm

Stagg is a European label; are you in Europe? Their mandolins are Asian-made, apparently, similar to instruments sold under other nameplates -- Rover, Rogue, etc.. The M40S is spec-ed as all solid woods, not carved so apparently heat-pressed. A-model, f-holes, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Available here for $150.

Yeah, no doubt you could learn on a properly set up Stagg M40S. It looks like a lot of other student-level instruments, better than some since it's all solid woods. Where you buy it makes a difference; if it's an on-line or mail-order distributor of the Musician's Fiend (yeah, I know I spelled it wrong; supposed to be a joke, heh-heh...) variety, that doesn't do dealer set-up, you would be well-advised to spend an extra few buxx to get it professionally prepared -- bridge height/location, nut height/slotting, truss rod tweaking if needed, new quality strings.

Doubtless you'll get recommendations for a better-known and generally liked brand like Kentucky, which also has some student level A-models competitively priced. Don't forget you'll need a case, and probably a tuner.

"Best for you"? That I can't say. What's "best" is to play a bunch of student-quality mandolins, new and used; and if you can't play them yourself, to drag along a mandolin-playing friend and let him/her play them and give you an opinion. But you're not risking a year's salary here, and buying a <$200 instrument that you don't like and replace, ain't the end of the world. Lotsa mandolins out there in that price range.

**trevor** · Jul-03-2012, 4:03am

Looks like you may be in the UK. In my experience Stagg aren't up to much. If you are looking for something that is playable and not going to put you off you won't find much under £15O IMHO. Even then I wouldn't know what to recommend, maybe others can advise. When I sold entry level mandolins I was always impressed with Kentucky, they start at around £200.

**mullac51** · Jul-03-2012, 4:59pm

What epiphone mandolins on the gibson website? are they any good because they one on there which looks very affordable like this one, http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Acou...one/MM-20.aspx

**mullac51** · Jul-03-2012, 6:12pm

okay I think i'm either going to buy the Epiphone mm-20 or the mm-30. Which one would you guys choose?

**John McCoy** · Jul-03-2012, 9:21pm

Originally Posted by mullac51

okay I think i'm either going to buy the Epiphone mm-20 or the mm-30. Which one would you guys choose?

Based solely upon what I can read online, I'd go with the slightly more expensive 30, expecting that--all other things (e.g., set-up) being equal--it'll sound a little better. The reason is that the descriptions on the Gibson Web site say that the 30 has a "Solid Spruce" top while the 20 has a "Select Spruce" top. Generally, if the write-up doesn't specify solid wood for the top, it's laminate ("plywood," but better than the familiar construction-grade). Quite simply, solid wood will impart a better sound.

But at this point, I also wouldn't rule out casting a wider net for other instruments in your price range--as far as we know the money's still in your pocket. Once it's gone, you have the instrument you have.

And I shall reiterate Allen's point about proper set up. It applies to all makes and all levels of mandolin. So if the difference in price also means the difference in "to be set up or not to be set up," get the one that leaves money enough for the set-up.

**allenhopkins** · Jul-03-2012, 9:27pm

MM-30 has a solid top, MM-20 is laminated. As a rule, and there can be all kinds of individual instrument variations, solid is better. Get it set up, either by the dealer or by a competent instrument tech at a repair shop.

Set-up's the most important. The design variants that provide better or worse sound, are sorta irrelevant to the rank beginner, since he/she won't sound very good anyway. But ease of fretting, accurate intonation, and proper adjustment are tres important.

So if you can only afford a "plywood" instrument, you can still learn on that. Amazing the unimpressive mandolins that people are able to learn on. If you progress at a decent rate, you'll be mandolin shopping for an upgrade in a year or maybe less.