Beginner looking for a decent mandolin

[MJP1983]

I am looking to buy a mandolin for under $300 mainly for personal use and maybe some home recording. Can anyone suggest one or direct me to such a resource? I've seen a lot of them on ebay for that price range and also at my local music stores but I thought I'd do a bit of research first. Thanks for any help!

PS: I plan to play bluegrass type of music so would this mean I need an F style mandolin?

[JEStanek]

Ideally something used. Get an A style with F holes.Once it's recorded no one can see or hear the lack of scroll! New, consider the all solid Kentucky brand ideally with a 14 fret neck to body reach instead of the 12 fret. I would avoid the e-bay mandolin in favor of one that comes from a dealer fully set up. The difference in price is what you would have to spend to have it professionally shop adjusted anyway (assuming there is a price difference!).

You could also look at the classifieds. If you can get closer to $450 you can get a very nice Eastman A style used that will be hand carved with a much thinner finish than practically all other Asian imports in your price range.

Good luck,
Jamie

[MandoSquirrel]

Used, no scroll is your Only decent chance at that price.

Stradolin's can be quite good for that price!

[bennyb]

Hi mjp,
For some mando cafe looks at this subject, try here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=44351;hl=mandolin+and+ under), here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=13;t=44601;hl=mandolin+and+ under), and here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=32611;hl=mandolin+and+ under). For more results, I searched for "mandolin" AND "under". No offense intended.

Good luck, bennyb

[MikeEdgerton]

Take a look at this Kentucky (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kentucky-KM340S-Artist-AModel-Mandolin?sku=518032). Shipping is free. Add a 29.00 A style case and you're in for just a tad over the 300.00 and you've got a decent starter mandolin. Obviously I have no financial Interest.

[Caleb]

Take a look at this Kentucky (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kentucky-KM340S-Artist-AModel-Mandolin?sku=518032). Shipping is free. Add a 29.00 A style case and you're in for just a tad over the 300.00 and you've got a decent starter mandolin. Obviously I have no financial Interest.
Great suggestion. I have that exact mandolin, except for mine has "KM 350S" on the inside label, though when I bought it I was told it was as KM 380S. At this point, I'm really not sure what it is, I only know it's hard for me to put it down and the tone and feel (after setup) is incredible. I highly recommend the Kentucky line, as not only an intro, but also as a serious instrument to make music with.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[fiddlefaddle]

Check out the Rover RM-75. I have one and they aren't bad for $375, from Eldery. I did have to have mine set up by a luthier though, since they are not set up all that well out of the factory. But now it sounds great. Check them out.

[mickey.cole]

I have the rover rm75 also plays well sounds good for the
price

[Steve Ostrander]

I think that the Kentucky KM-140 A style is a good value and sounds pretty good. I've seen them on sale for $250. But the KM 380 that Mike suggested may be a better mando for a little more money; I'm just not familiar with that model.

[earthsave]

Check out the Rover RM-75. I have one and they aren't bad for $375, from Eldery. #I did have to have mine set up by a luthier though, since they are not set up all that well out of the factory. #But now it sounds great. #Check them out.
Interesting. I would assume Elderly would have that thing already setup properly before selling it. That's been my limited experience with them. I've bought two inexpensive mandos from them and they both came with a very good setup.

Back to original Q....
You do not need an F-style, but at this price you cannot expect much in regards to getting bluegrass sound. If you are only recording with it, you might be able to manipulate the sound to sound fuller and less tinny and thin.

[Seafood]

Kentucky 150S, all solid wood and the biggest bang for the mando buck. You can find them used for less than $200.

[Tig]

Elderly has the Kentucky 150 new for $225 w/free shipping. It's a nice little mandolin but (I hate to say this) I did have to get some setup work done after I received it.

[Seafood]

Two of my kids have the Kentucky 150S and both had to be set up. But about 70% of all stringed instruments do.

[MandoSquirrel]

I expect at that price, the profit margin is not enough to cover including a free proper set up. They'd probably do a reasonable deal for an add on? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif