Johnson Mandolins

[Angio333]

http://themandolinhut.com/johnson_mandolin_ma_120_black.htm

Thanks!

[Eric F.]

Well, the mandolin itself seems to sell in the $135 to $150 range, so you are getting the accessories for $50 to $65. The mando is all solid woods, which is good. I have no experience with the Johnson mandolins, and others here have reported both positive and negative experiences.

For what it's worth, which ain't much but you're getting it free: If I were buying my first mandolin mail order and looking to spend less than $300, I would buy it from a known, big, reputable mandolin retailer - Elderly and Gryphon come to mind, but there are others. I would make sure that retailer set up and adjusted the mandolin for me before shipping it. I'd get a cheap gig bag off eBay and a tuner, and I'd invest in lessons. You can make a strap with a boot lace if you want to save some money. You can download tabs and exercises off the Cafe for free. Picks are cheap and you can get something adequate at any music store. Note the ad does not mention what brand of tuner, strap, etc.

On the other hand, it might be nice to get it all in one big package from the UPS guy!
I guess I'd suggest just getting something in solid wood and starting to play. You'll either find out that you don't want to play the mandolin (unlikely) or fall victim to MAS soon enough anyhow and in a couple of months be asking what's the best instrument for about $1,000. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[JEStanek]

I have a Johnson all laminate oval hole. Get a shop to set it up after you get it and change out the strings and you have a decent mando to start or camp with. For sure.

Jamie

[B. T. Walker]

My Johnson mandolin is just fine. In fact, the model you're considering might make a good starter. It came From Mandolin Hut set up and ready to play. I looked at the procedure for set up, and somebody somewhere did a good job. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

The starter mandolin I got from there a few months later for my daughter was an unplayable POS (it was not a Johnson, but a very poor pacrim with action so high Mr. Monroe wouldn't call it manly, but King Kongly). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

Their record of satisfaction with this customer is 50/50. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

[RJ Rummie]

If you can wait, I would save up your money to get a good mandolin to start out with, if you are sure you are going to stick with it. If you think this might be a whim, go with the johnson. Otherwise, save up your money. I bought a Johnson from here a few months ago, thinking it would be a while before I wanted to upgrade, and now that I've played some high end mandos, I really wish I could have started out with one.

Im not knocking Johnsons though, I still like mine