View Full Version : Looking for a Mandolin
guitarpicker89
Dec-22-2009, 5:57pm
Hey all,
I am an avid guitar player and occasionally pick up the banjo and mandolin. I have an old Harmony mandolin that's not worth much more than wood for kindling. I don't know a great deal about mandolins but am wanting a decent one to play around with. Here's some of what I want.
-I play a lot of different styles. A lot of rock, folk, and some bluegrass. I'm not necessarily looking for a bluegrass mandolin though.
-I like ukelele tuning a lot (Hey, I'm a guitarist)
-A or F style (it doesn't matter)
-Under $500
I've had my eye on a Gold Tone GM-50 and a Kentucky KM505. But I'm in no way attached to those, just saying to give you an idea of what I'm looking at.
Much thanks.
jefflester
Dec-22-2009, 6:39pm
The Kentucky KM505 would be an excellent choice.
Tim2723
Dec-22-2009, 7:46pm
+1 on the Kentucky 505. A very popular choice for those in your price range.
Douglas McMullin
Dec-22-2009, 8:13pm
If you have a Kentucky 505 in your sights it would certainly be a solid choice in your price range. A used Eastman 505 would be good competing option.
man dough nollij
Dec-23-2009, 3:38pm
I second the Eastman 505. I got mine for $499 on sale at the Mandolin Store. Dennis got a bunch of them in and was selling them quick at that smokin' price. I asked him to play them all and send me the one he thought had the best tone. I got a particularly good one-- it sounds and plays great, and has been totally stable, even on the harsh continent. :mandosmiley:
allenhopkins
Dec-23-2009, 6:01pm
...it...has been totally stable, even on the harsh continent.
And its owner?
8ch(pl)
Dec-26-2009, 6:24am
I would look for a used Mid Missouri (now called Big Muddy), should cost about $350.
LKN2MYIS
Dec-26-2009, 6:35am
And its owner?
Allen, that was just perfect!
Capt. E
Dec-28-2009, 10:17am
I agree that a Big Muddy (Mid-missouri) would be a good choice. Also look for a Flatiron model 1N. Those are better than the Big Muddy (though also more expensive). I have owned both.
man dough nollij
Dec-28-2009, 1:51pm
And its owner?
Except for random acts of staring into space and drooling...
Eddie Sheehy
Dec-28-2009, 1:56pm
Except for random acts of staring into space and drooling...
Happy New Year Lee.
-I like ukelele tuning a lot (Hey, I'm a guitarist)
-.
Are you planning to tune the mandolin as a uke?
Phil Goodson
Dec-29-2009, 11:43am
:popcorn:
Canister
Dec-29-2009, 5:21pm
I would favor the Kentucky 505 but everyone has made good suggestions.
kirksdad
Dec-29-2009, 5:45pm
I have heard some great things about the Loars, a few of the models are about $100 above what you are looking to spend. I would advise playing as many mandos as you can in the price range, or check the classifieds here as there usually are some good deals. I just hope you don't catch a bad dose of MAS, if you do, there isn't anything we can do to help.........
guitarpicker89
Jan-04-2010, 1:35am
Thanks for all the help guys. You brought up some names I'd never heard before. Definitely helps guide my scrounging around. I found out about the Mandolin Hut in Knoxville TN and it looks promising, lots of mandos in one place.
onassis
Jan-04-2010, 9:03am
That's a great idea. If you're new to the instrument, there's nothing better than being able to compare a bunch head-to-head. Best learn some standard mando chords, though! (I don't think they'd appreciate you retuning all their stock!)
guitarpicker89
Jan-04-2010, 12:39pm
Oh I know the basics of mandolin in standard tuning. It's just been recently that i decided to try some different tunings and i really like the lower sound of uke tuning. I play a mix of music so it will probably drift between standard for bluegrass and other tunings for acoustic/folk.