upgrading to a new mandolin

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

Hello friends,
I think it is time for me to upgrade to a new mandolin. :))
I currently play epiphone mm50E, wich is a havy instrument.

I have a little bit more than a $ 1000. Since I live in Turkey there is not much choise around. So I have to make the best choise shoping on the internet.

While looking around the internet I've seen Eastman MD615 wich I can afford. But I have never seen or played it.

I am not in to bluegras much, I like to play classical and napolitan. But again I love the look of F style with F holes.

Do you think md615 will do it? Or do you have other suggestions?
Thanks.

[renoyd]

Since you have a little bit more than $1K, you could consider a Kentucky KM-1000 which, IMHO, is a significantly better choice, especially regarding the sound. If you would consider no scroll, the KM-900 or KM-950 are also excellent choices. All are a bit bluegrassy voiced, but of course you can still play anything on these!

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

so far there are KM-1000 , MD-615 and a used MD-815. MD-615 is ahead because it has factory installed pickups. Any other ideas?

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

I have seen a Kentucky KM1500 on the classifields for a couple of hours and it disapeared. I think one must be a quick hunter on that page.
Please help me to get a real mando.

[OldSausage]

Just go to the classifieds and type "Kentucky" into the search box (top right of page). There are a couple of 900's and a 1500.

There's a Flatiron Festival A on there too for $900. Most of the mandolins on the classifieds are up for a good long time (obviously). No need to rush into buying anything, there are lots of nice ones out there in your price range.

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

the one I saw was km-1500 for $995. I'll keep on looking. Thank you

[haggardphunk]

Id keep saving and get into the $1500 price point. That's just me though. I have an MD305 and this will keep me happy until I can drop $2-5k

[SincereCorgi]

Good advice in this thread so far. I'd be very patient and buy a used instrument, preferably from a respectable dealer like The Mandolin Store or Elderly that can offer a sensible trial policy and is familiar with international shipping. You can get a great mandolin for around $1000, but if you can stretch to $1600 or so you can start finding some excellent USA-made instruments like Collings and Weber.

[EdHanrahan]

... KM-1000 ... the KM-900 or KM-950 .... All are a bit bluegrassy voiced, but of course you can still play anything on these!

Mr. Loar designed the F-5 with classical in mind, as Bluegrass only came along several decades later. So being "bluegrassy voiced" is not at all a bad thing for classical. Or for very much else!

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

I think I will go for a used one. What would you say for Md-915? is it a real madolin?

[pheffernan]

I would suggest that you look for a used offering from a European seller on the classifieds so as to save on shipping and potential import fees. One that quickly catches my eye is the Kentucky KM900 in Germany: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/80008. It even comes in under budget! If you must have an F-model, then there is this Eastman MD815V slightly above budget in Spain: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/77892. It was posted July 22nd, so it might no longer be available; if it is, the seller might be willing to negotiate.

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

I forgot to mention that I am goint to San Gabriel CA. On january for visiting my host family. So int. shiping is not a problem I can take it with me on my way back.
I was an AFS student on '90-'91 in San Gabriel. After 25 years I have a chance to visit my host family. :). That's why I am so exited about buying a new mandolin. If any of you lives near I would love to meet.
As far as know there are no good music stores for mandolin near La. Thats why I am looking over the net. And I am very exited. :)

[EdHanrahan]

As far as know there are no good music stores for mandolin near La.
I'd certainly give a shot at McCabes in Santa Monica, about 30 miles from San Gabriel.
http://store.mccabes.com/home.php?cat=261

And maybe catch one of their in-store concerts!

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

I finally made up my mind and purchased a used eastman md-915 from Morgan Music. Alvin really helped me to stay in my budget I also purchased a LR baggs radius pickup. The mandolin is at Gianna violins. Steve is seting her up, replacing the bridge with a CA bridge and applying his mandovoodoo blueprint. I think this instrument will go with me forever.
But I have to wait till January 18 to touch it. God give me patience.
thank you Alvin, thank you Steve.

[haggardphunk]

Jan 18? why?

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

I am coming to USA on January 18.

[haggardphunk]

oooo ok. That makes more sense now. I dont think i would have the patience for that. I commend you.

[jhaza]

Nice choice. Eastmans are great.

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

I wonder who is the preowner of her. Anybody here sold an eastman md915 lately to Morgan?

[bohemianbiker]

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it.

Do you play with an orchestra or band? Or with other musicians playing the tanbur or oud? I'm curious if or how mandolins might be used in Turkish music. bb

[Orkun Hiçyılmaz]

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it.

Do you play with an orchestra or band? Or with other musicians playing the tanbur or oud? I'm curious if or how mandolins might be used in Turkish music. bb

thank you. yes I play in an orchestra. it is a mandolin orchestra. We play mostly european songs and some turkish songs.
I played a couple of times with an oud but since both instruments are soloists there is not much to do except duets. here is a sample
https://soundcloud.com/orkun-hicyilmaz/nihavent-longa
https://soundcloud.com/orkun-hicyilmaz/nihavent-longa

[Mike Snyder]

Alvin is a top-class fellow and I owe him a debt of gratitude a decade old. Morgan Music has become a major player in fine acoustic instruments. They always have interesting stuff in stock and take care of customers like customers want to be taken care of. If I'm a buyer, I check with Alvin first.