Good beginner mandolin for $500-$600?

[Martin Stevens]

I've been teaching a kid guitar for a few months. I took him up to Wintergrass where I teach at the kids academy and he fell in love with the mandolin. His grandma wants to buy him one so we can do mandolin lessons too but I don't know what to suggest in this price range.

What is the best bang for the buck for this type of money? If he loves it I'm sure they will upgrade someday so it doesn't have to be performance worthy or anything. He's a responsible kid and takes care if his "big baby" taylor if that needs to be taken into account as well.

[Hardesty]

I am enjoying the Rover RM75 I just picked up. They retail in the low to mid 4's. I got mine barely used for $250... I could not pass it up at that price. I have be very happy with it. I drag that little thing everywhere with me.

[Sandy Beckler]

Kentucky 380 S

[Dr H]

The Washburn M1S isn't a bad choice for a first instrument, in the $300-400 range, and they're easy to find.

[Martin Stevens]

How do you guys feel about KENTUCKY KM-505?

[Jeff Budz]

Eastman 315 if you can find one, else a 515.

[Payit Forward]

How do you guys feel about KENTUCKY KM-505?

Good choice.

Anything from Kentucky, Eastman, Loar or JBovier in that price range is a good choice.

[rgray]

How do you guys feel about KENTUCKY KM-505?

Great mandolin. I love mine. You can buy one new for less than $500 with a good setup from several of the Cafe sponsors and the rest of the budget can then be used for incidentals.

[Nonprophet]

There's a nice Morris A5 w/case in the classifieds right now (NFI) for $650 shipped.....

NP

[CES]

KM 505 is a great little mando. The radius is barely noticable and the fret wire is traditionally small.

I prefer the Loar series necks personally to both Eastman and Kentucky, though obviously that's a very subjective/personal observation. The Loar has a little more radius and larger fretwire, and a slightly chunkier profile. I loved the LM 700 I played (which is out of his range)...the LM 400 is the A shaped brother to the 700. If I were shopping in this range and couldn't find a Breedlove Quartz used (I've passed on a couple in the classifieds...it's rare but they do occasionally pop up at that price) the LM 400 would be my choice in that range.

The LM 400, KM 505, and Eastman's mandolins will be good enough to carry him for quite a while. If you're really looking entry level, try out some of Kentucky's other less expensive A styles.

EDIT: Oooooh...yeah, for got about Morris's...great little mandos for the price, USA made, etc...

[Payit Forward]

The Loar has a little more radius and larger fretwire, and a slightly chunkier profile...

The A style Loars like the LM400 all have flat fretboards. They are great mandolins in this price range.

[Martin Stevens]

I've called around and a local store has about 7 mandos (including some Kentuckys). I'm gonna go down there Wednesday and see what's up.

Thanks for the tips.. I'll let you know what I find out.

[Keith Witty]

The Loar LM 500

You won't regret it.

[AKmusic]

The A style Loars like the LM400 all have flat fretboards. They are great mandolins in this price range.Mando for the money. I'd agree with the above. The LM400 is the A style LM700. I love my 700.

[Fstpicker]

Mando for the money. I'd agree with the above. The LM400 is the A style LM700. I love my 700.
As a very satisfied LM400 owner, I agree 100% with you!

Jeff

[Martin Stevens]

Went to the store today. The only two that were even worth buying IMO was a Kentucky A (can't remember the model # but it was definitely the worse of the two) and a Kentucky 630.

The 630 was nice enough for us to do lessons on but not worth the $560 price tag + paying for a case (all they had were 100$ F style cases), which makes it more than my student's grandma's price tag. I'll have to figure something else out.

[yankees1]

Eastman 505

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Just to second the suggestion for a 'The Loar' A style, such as a LM400, 300 or even a 220. All of them have had great reviews from other happy owners, and I was more than happy with the LM400 I had. And the great thing is they are readily available from most dealers.

If you can find a Eastman 305 (A style economy) or 315 (F style economy), those would be excellent choices as well.

[ToneSter]

Last week ended 40+ hours of research for the best deal for $500 to $600
In order of choice:
Jbovier $599 A style
~ no case http://www.themandoshop.com/jbovier.php
they are waiting on an order and may be in next week, everyone else is selling these with a case for $750 & $850 ~ this is a great Mandolin for the price!

The Loar LM400vs $499 w/case but most stores are out of stock~ this is the one I purchased ~ reason - price, wanted the Jbovier

Eastman MD505 $599, not sure on the case as I did not like these because of the small V neck but they have great tone.

The Kentucky 505 $479 w/case ~ http://themandolinhut.com/loar_lm_400_vs_mandolin.html

where ever you purchase make sure they do a set-up and not just put new strings on, both places I listed do a full setup.
you do not want to get an F-style in this price unless you search for something used on ebay and then it is still iffy.

[George R. Lane]

I would contact Robert at Folk Musician, he carries Kentucky and Loar. He sets up every instrument before shipping it out.

[AKmusic]

I just wish they made an LM400 with an oval hole. I'd snatch it up without any hesitation.

[Andy Alexander]

A good used Stradolin will only set you back $200-400. They are really well built and many have solid spruce tops. You will have no trouble getting your money back when you are ready to move up. Check out the classifieds here.