Gretsch G9310 NY Supreme VS. The Loar LM-220-VS

**helric** · Jul-19-2012, 8:41am

Hi, I'm french and I play mandolin for a few years now on an Epiphone MM-30. It was a good mandolin for beginning but I want to buy another one with solid top, back and sides. I've seen two models and I really hesistate between these two : the Loar 220VS (solid spruce) and the Gretsch G9310 (all solid mahogany). Unforntunately they are no feedbacks on those on the web and I can't make my mind on them. What do you think ? I play alone and I most play traditionnal Irish music (jigs, reels, etc...). Thank you for your help and I know that they are good brands to buy but you know, in France there is no choice in mandolin brands.

**OldGus** · Jul-19-2012, 9:26am

I recommend the LM220. I have played one of those. It had good balance between chords and lead runs, good tone, and also had pretty good tuners but it doesn't always come with a case so you might have to buy one separately.

**helric** · Jul-19-2012, 10:09am

Thank you for your answer. Does the Loar you tried have a loud sound ? And what do you think of the handcraft quality ?

**OldGus** · Jul-19-2012, 12:40pm

It's a little hard to remember, I'd say it was adequately loud and a good basic mandolin. The quality was very good for the low price. I think I liked it better than the used Kentucky KM900 that was next to it although that one needed a setup. That one hasn't sold but the LM220 is gone, they are a great value. The KM900 sounded better on chop chords but didn't hold the same volume on lead runs in my opinion and in this example. The LM220 was more well rounded in volume and response, chops well and has better tuners, I like this model and might pick one up myself but I already have a high price custom A5. I'd say it carries a bit of a violin tone vibe with the Englemann top lending to a nice mellow sound. It's the best I have played in that price range.

**helric** · Jul-19-2012, 2:46pm

The description you make of the sound is very interesting. This Loar 220 seems to be a great mandolin for a medium player like me ! This is the kind of instrument I'm looking for. Thank you for you feedback. Have you heard or seen the new all mahogany Gretsch ?

**OldGus** · Jul-19-2012, 5:25pm

Since you stated volume as a concern I would stray away from that one. I wouldn't expect much volume from a mahogany topped mandolin. The closest I've played was a Bean Blossom about five years ago, it was pretty good for the price at the time but I would go for the LM220 myself. It's a great mandolin for the money in my experience.

**helric** · Jul-19-2012, 5:53pm

Sure, you're right. Mahogany wood sounds smoother and softer than the spruce but the sound is sometimes richer. I think it depends a lot of the strings you use. I don't know exactly wich strings fit better for playing irish but the sound must be percussive/punchy and sensitive. I usually play with D'Addario J74 and I love them on my Epiphone with massive spruce top. I guess those strings wouldn't sound as loud on a mahogany mandolin but perhaps the sound would be more subtle (?).

**Folkmusician.com** · Jul-19-2012, 6:42pm

I have not seen a Gretsch G9310 in person, but having some experience with all Mahogany mandolins, I would point you toward the LM-220. Like OldGus, I feel it is a great deal. In my opinion it is currently the best mandolin at the price point.

The tone on the Gretsch should be more subtle, or you could say muted.

**helric** · Jul-19-2012, 7:30pm

So I think I'll go for the Loar. Thank you for your advices ! By the way, what is the advantage of making mandolin with mahogany ? I know that mahogany is a beautiful wood with a mellow sound but is this quality compatible with mandolin playing sound ? If you play alone, at your home, mahogany can be a great choice so why do they make mandolin with mahogany if this wood isn't a good choice for this instrument ?

**OldGus** · Jul-19-2012, 10:15pm

Mahogany is an excellent tone wood, the advantages are the ones you cited but the disadvantages are the ones we cited. I think an all mahogany mandolin will be a double whammy against volume but it could have great tone with the right craftsmanship. That being said I think the craftsmanship and tone will be better on the LM220. Mahogany sounds good on banjos and dreadnaught guitars but they are much larger generally louder to begin with. Mandolins gain their edge by being higher pitched and cutting through(although some are open and loud) which I think mahogany would generally hinder rather than help. There are some exceptions, I don't think this Gretsch will be one though. I am all about alternative woods, try a walnut mandolin if you get the chance, but at the low end price I would keep it basic like "The Loar".

**helric** · Jul-20-2012, 4:29am

Yes, that is what I think. Mahogany isn't really for mandolin, this wood make the sound muted on this instrument. And that isn't the size but the pitch as you said. On Ukuleles (lower pitch), Mahogany is a great wood and lot of ukulele players loves the tone of mahogany. But I'll go for the "The Loar" mandolin with its solide and loudy spruce top and maple back and sides ! I'm looking for a loud and clear sound !

**jaycat** · Jul-20-2012, 8:00am

Originally Posted by OldGus

. . .Mahogany sounds good on banjos and dreadnaught guitars . . .

Oh yeah! My Guild D25M is the nuts. Clear as a bell and as loud as you want it to be.

Bonne chance, helric, et bienvenue au Cafe!

**helric** · Jul-20-2012, 9:07am

Originally Posted by jaycat

Bonne chance, helric, et bienvenue au Cafe!

Merci pour ces quelques mots de bienvenue en français jaycat !

**helric** · Jul-24-2012, 4:33pm

A friend let me play today his Kentucky KM-172 and I must say that I was very impressed with this instrument. I found the sound loud and mellow and I must admit that I love that ! Does anyone knows how the Loar 220 sounds compare to the Kentucky 160/171 series ? I'm very curious to see how you think this series of Kentucky hold the comparison with the Loar !

**Folkmusician.com** · Jul-25-2012, 6:53pm

The Kentucky 170 series has a much warmer, tubby sort of tone that is characteristic of the Oval hole mandolins. The LM-220 basically has a standard mandolin voice to it. The X bracing does not sound much different than Parallel bracing. The 160 series is great, but given the choice I would go with the LM-220 myself. If you like the oval hole tone, then the 170 is a top pick.

**barney 59** · Jul-25-2012, 10:42pm

I've played a couple of the old Gretsch New Yorkers and they were OK I thought. Kind of in the category of the better Stradolins as far as quality goes and they had their own distinctive sound, but not a mandolin that you could hear across a field if that is what your looking for. They were solid and a little heavy and played nicely. I've thought that I wouldn't mind having one. Now there is this retro-reissue that has recently shown up and all I've seen is the photos and advertisements and it looks like the old Gretsch but is it the same? The price is either really reasonable or suspiciously low.

**helric** · Jul-26-2012, 6:44am

Originally Posted by Folkmusician.com

The Kentucky 170 series has a much warmer, tubby sort of tone that is characteristic of the Oval hole mandolins. The LM-220 basically has a standard mandolin voice to it. The X bracing does not sound much different than Parallel bracing. The 160 series is great, but given the choice I would go with the LM-220 myself. If you like the oval hole tone, then the 170 is a top pick.

I love the sound of this ovale hole mandolin, It fits well the irish/celtic music I love to play.

Originally Posted by barney 59

The price is either really reasonable or suspiciously low.

This product is new and there aren't a lot of feedbacks or reviews for now. It's difficult to say if this is reasonable or suspicious ! Time will tell

So, I give me a little more time to make my choice. Choosing an instrument isn't an easy game to play sometimes ! ^^ Thank you for your answers and great feebacks, they help me !!

**helric** · Aug-16-2012, 6:29am

Hmm, unfortunately I can get the Kentucky I wanted so I think I'll change for a LOAR 220 (perhaps 300). I won't be able to see or play it before I command it so I'd like to know if thoses Loar mandolins need a set up or if they're quite right from the factory. have anyone any experience of these mandolins "out of the box" ?