Re: My Kay Mandolin
If the Guitar Center near you is like most Guitar Center stores, they won't know a thing about mandolins and anything you play there won't even have a rudimentary setup (at my "local" store, the one mandolin there had been tuned like a 12 string guitar short a few strings).
It'd be best to find some place with at least a couple brands of mandolin so you have SOME basis for comparison. For your price point, you are probably looking at a used mass market Eastman, The Loar or Kentucky - they really do have different sounds. At the level you are, it's better to find the general mando tone you like, get it set up to your specs and then think about things like changing the bridge or getting a different nut, because those are more tweaks than game-changers.
There was a Cafe thread on mandolin stores in Indianapolis:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ianapolis-area
I'll probably put a Cumberland on my Kay and change the nut (it needs a new nut anyway and I have a Tusq nut) - but mine is being radiused and refretted, so I have it torn apart anyway.
Last edited by Mo Soar; Aug-26-2012 at 9:44am.
Reason: added
1918 Gibson A, "Lillian";
1940s (?) Kay A style f hole - currently down for a refret and fretboard re-profile, my first attempts (with guidance) at lutherie.
1981 Washburn M7SN (2 point);
2011 Eastman 504, "Belle";
2012 Lafferty mahogany octave mandolin;
2012 Emando (Saga), "Hank"
1 husband, 2 dogs, 4 chickens.
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