Kentucky's and morgan munroe's

[Curtis]

They seem like the best bet for the $4-500 range. Is that a fair assessment? I am a 3 week old beginner at this point (but not new to music) and have a $70 something or other. Probably within the next couple months I'll make the step up to that price range and if something shows up on eBay that's a bargain I might snatch it.

So what's the skinny on these two makes? Any pitfalls to avoid?

[Rocky Top]

I've got a Kentucky KM-140 A-style and a Morgan Monroe MCM-CB F-style. For that price range, they're hard to beat, IMHO. I would recommend one of these- <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/MORGAN-MONROE-VINTAGE-SATIN-FINISH-MMS-8W-MANDOLIN-1_W0QQitemZ140150563488QQihZ004QQcatego

ryZ10179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/MORGAN-....iewItem</a>

It's a little more than what you're talking about spending, but as they say, you get what you pay for. Best of luck to you!

Edit: I've heard that these are great too- http://www.alvarezgtr.com/prod_page.php?SeriesID=6&ItemID=178

[Curtis]

Is it safe to just pick one up on eBay from a vendor with good feedback? I am in Miami. Not really mando capital of the world and I'm not aware of any stores with much of a selection if any of mandos to try out.

[Steve Perry]

I am a 3 week old beginner at this point

Dayum... #3 weeks old and already playing the mandolin!? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif # Even better... #3 weeks old and already surfin' the net!

Kids these days!...


Just kidding! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Steve Perry

[JEStanek]

If you get one off E-bay you'll most likely need to do a good bit of set up work to make it comfortably playable and properly intonated. If you can do it yourself, great. If you send it out expect to spend ~$40-100 depending upon who does it. When you consider that, you may just want to buy from an on-line dealer (like the Café sponsors on the Home page) who will set it up prior to shipping. The difference in price becomes negligible.

IMO, the best bet in the $400-500 range is a used Eastman A style mando. All hand carved with a hand applied varnish finish. You'll get more mando for your money used, and even more if you don't require the scroll.

Jamie

[Curtis]

That's the sort of advice that's great. I don't care about a scroll or not but versatility is important since I'm not sure what I'll end up playing mostly. Bluegrass is great but I'm also a jazz musician by training and would like something that is a jack of all trades as opposed to the perfect chop mando.

[Curtis]

Umm. . . could I get a link to the sponsors page? I see builders but not sponsors such as retailers with instruments and technicians. . . sorry I must be stupid. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Curtis]

I'm definitely getting the mando bug. . . I think I found the sponsor links you talk about. Are they small logos on the right side of the main page?

Has anyone bought from Folk of the Wood? They offer free setup. That caught my eye.

As far as the Kentuckys and MM go anyone got specific models they like keeping in mind my desire for versatility and the $500-ish price range?

[jefflester]

Has anyone bought from Folk of the Wood? They offer free setup. That caught my eye.
Be *very* cautious of Folk of the Wood. They may have recovered by now under new ownership (haven't heard much lately), but they have a poor reputation for customer service. Our forum here is full of complaints.

Searches on "Folk AND Wood" in post title. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=Search&CODE=02&SID=46d8349113753fb6)

Searches on "FOTW" in topic title (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=Search&CODE=02&SID=46d834ee3edb5142)

[earthsave]

http://www.elderly.com

http://www.fqms.com

http://www.janetdavismusic.com

I'd buy from these three vendors sight unseen and trust that I get a playable instrument.

[Curtis]

Excellent thanks for the retailer advice. I'm guessing that with the way I'm going I won't be able to put it off too long before I get one.

Any model ideas for Kentucky and MM?

If I find a great used A oval hole is it going to be usable in other situations?

[Chippster]

Kentucky A models that start with a '3' are a good starting place. While it seems most of those on this board favor F hole mandos, oval hole is good too. THey're just different. I recommend you go somewhere and play a bunch of them! These inexpensive Pac-rim products may be made very consistently, but there are differences. I've got a Kentucky 340 that is amazingly loud with a nice depth. It sounds BETTER than the Mike Kelly F-model that i gave up in trade and the Kelly was much more expensive. The trader thinks he got a super deal and when he looks in the mirror, he sees the fancy scrolls and thinks he 'done good' (i'm not going to tell him otherwise). Also inquire from the start what kind of setup is available. If they say "these mandolins are setup perfectly, adjustment is unnecessary and at extra charge" I'd steer clear. Setup is an individual thing, not a 'right/wrong' concept. Now there are aspects of setup that are either right or wrong, like nut height. Other things like action and bridge height are subjective and setup needs to change if you want lighter or heavier strings. For a new mandolin player, the lighter the better. The most important thing with a new mandolin, IMHO, especially a new player ... is to find an instrument that is easy enough to play, so the inevitable sore fingers won't happen right away! Just my opinion.

[MandoSquirrel]

http://www.elderly.com

http://www.fqms.com

http://www.janetdavismusic.com

I'd buy from these three vendors sight unseen and trust that I get a playable instrument.
Haven't yet done business with them, but I'd put "themandolinstore (http://www.themandolinstore.com/)" in that list, also.

It's always a good idea to check the classifieds here, also; great deals, great folks.

[lastchair]

That's the sort of advice that's great. I don't care about a scroll or not but versatility is important since I'm not sure what I'll end up playing mostly. Bluegrass is great but I'm also a jazz musician by training and would like something that is a jack of all trades as opposed to the perfect chop mando.

Then you'd probably like the Eastman 805D two pointer f-hole. #I have one of these, and it's nimble, bright, jazzy sounding. #(Crisp and happy sound, not fat sound, not like a guitar). Jethro Burns played a two-pointer (not an Eastman). #I got mine at Gianna Violins. #Yes, I know it says "Violins", but they now do mandolins too. #In fact, that's how I got interested in mandolins because I'm one of their violin customers. #Steve will play the mandolins over the phone for you, really nice guy. #http://www.giannaviolins.com

[Curtis]

OK I'm looking at the Kentucky KM 505 which I was told from Janet Davis Music is a newer model with a radiused fretboard and a bit nicer finish. JDM comes in quite a bit cheaper than the mandolin store and fgms I guess doesn't carry Kentuckys.

Shipping and hard case I'm looking at $491.10 which is right in the price range. The 3xx model was only $50 less.