new mandolin

**robsmith** · Jul-16-2012, 3:58pm

I am looking at spending £300 on a new mandolin.

What would you recommend for me???

**Ben Milne** · Jul-17-2012, 1:18am

I recommend playing as many mandolins as you can within your budget, and a few that are above your budget, to gauge what tends to be better for more money, then buy the one you like the sound of and feels good to play.

**Ivan Kelsall** · Jul-17-2012, 4:40am

Spending '£'s' seems like you're in the UK ?. Find one (or more) of the 'Hobgoblin' chain of stores.They sell mandolins in a range of prices,some of them,the 'Kentucky' range of instruments, are very good value indeed for the money.If you want a really fine instrument,then i'd go a bit higher in price & buy one that will see you right for years,the KM-505 model. I played one several months ago,& having 2 fine instruments of my own to compare it to,it came out very well indeed in terms of tone & playability,
Ivan

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**Richard Moore** · Jul-17-2012, 6:01am

Hobgoblin yes... they do carry instruments, new and secondhand, in that price range. There are also a number of independent shops, depending on your location, that often carry decent lower-priced instruments.

**JeffD** · Jul-17-2012, 8:45am

Originally Posted by robsmith

I am looking at spending £300 on a new mandolin.

What would you recommend for me???

I woudl reccommend that you do it.

**houseworker** · Jul-17-2012, 9:38am

Originally Posted by robsmith

I am looking at spending £300 on a new mandolin.

What would you recommend for me???

The advice you were offered last time remains good. If you tell us where you are in the UK, and what mandolins you've tried since you last asked for recommendations, we may be able to offer realistic suggestions.

**robsmith** · Sep-01-2012, 10:00am

I have bought a Kentucky KM-162.

**robsmith** · Sep-01-2012, 10:02am

Originally Posted by houseworker

The advice you were offered last time remains good. If you tell us where you are in the UK, and what mandolins you've tried since you last asked for recommendations, we may be able to offer realistic suggestions.

only last time i had £500 to spend........

**houseworker** · Sep-01-2012, 10:26am

Originally Posted by robsmith

I have bought a Kentucky KM-162.

Glad you've found an instrument, hopefully it'll serve you well. Did you buy it from a store or via the internet?

**Capt. E** · Sep-08-2012, 2:16pm

I would recommend spending as much as you can afford and get a used instrument as well. If you can spend 700 pounds or more you will have an instument that will be easier to play and you can sell later for the same price when you upgrade (you WILL eventually want to upgrade). I like Kentucky, The Loar, Eastman, and the old vintage Gibson A's, especially a 1936-1941 model A-OO (a bargin in my opinion). Remember, a mandolin generally will sell for twice the price of an equivalent quality guitar.