Best cheap Emandos and Aco-elec mandos

[FadeOutAgain]

I'm in the market for a new mando, id like it to be electric or acoustic-electric. any cheap suggestions would be appreciated. my budget is 300$ give or take.

[biologyprof]

I recently purchased Epiphone's MandoBird VIII ($249), their all electric solid body 8 string offering. They also have a 4 string version, MandoBird IV ($199) but I liked the idea of having 8 strings like my other mandolins. I felt that the 4 stringer would sound more like an electric guitar. I also have their MM-50E ($699 currently I believe) which is an F model acoustic/electric. I may have been lucky in getting these instruments for both Epiphone's are fine playing and good sounding instruments. The MandoBird is in the price range that you mentioned. This past week I played a 3 set pumpkin patch gig. For comparison I played the MM-50E for the first set and then played the MandoBird for the second set. I was having so much fun with the Bird that I kept it out and played it for the entire third set. The neck and strings have a great feel to them It's a very smooth and comfortable player. Although the MandoBird has what I believe to be a well know issue with the E string I was able to bring it out a bit more with a Braggs Para-DI. After a little more research I'm going to swap out the stock pickup for maybe one half of a P bass pickup. Anyway, I'm very pleased with the way the MandoBird plays, feels, and sounds. I'm quite happy to have added this Bird to my flock. I think you'd be very happy with one. Have fun on your search!

[Ed Goist]

Biologyprof, FYI, I know that both Steve Ryder (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ozxR02CPSc) and Pete from Almuse (http://www.almuse.co.uk/mandolin_pickups_mandobird.html) make highly touted replacement pickups for Mandobirds.

[biologyprof]

Ed, thanks. I was hoping for some info on that. I'll certainly check them out. Do you have any experience with the MandoBird that could add to what I said to help FadeOutAgain with his quest? I really like it and I'm willing to spend the time and $ to replace the pickup to make it even better. Thanks again Ed.

[Ed Goist]

Though I have no personal experience with the Mandobird, they have a surprisingly good reputation here on the Cafe. By the way, here is a great thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?68495-Mandobird-Regrets) about the Mandobird and suggested modifications thereto.
A couple of other e-mandos in the under $400 range that seem to get mostly good reviews on the Cafe are the Eastwood Mandocaster (http://elderly.com/brand/90N_eastwood.html) & The Kentucky KM-300E (http://www.folkmusician.com/Kentucky-KM-300E-4-String-Electric-Mandolin/productinfo/KM%2D300E/).

[Tim2723]

Ed and the Professor have listed the solid-body electric options. In the acoustic-electric field there are several entry level offerings. This one by Epiphone is rather popular and uses a piezoelectric pickup:

http://www.amazon.com/Epiphone-EE30ASGH1-MM-30E-Acoustic-Electric-Mandolin/dp/B0002H0Q8C

Here's a model that uses a magnetic coil pickup. This one has the Fender label, but you'll find this same basic instrument with lots of names on the headstock:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN0955205032

You mentioned both solid-body and AE mandolins, but which you'll choose will depend largely on your intentions for it. They are very different critters, those.

[toddjoles]

If you go the acoustic-electric route, keep in mind many of these have plywood tops and are very lacking acoustically and electrically the PUPs aren't all that great either.

[Tim2723]

Todd is quite correct. Remember that $300 limits you a lot for just an acoustic mandolin. By the time electronics are added for that price there have to be certain other compromises as well. Keep realistic expectations in this price range.

[Martin Jonas]

A couple of other e-mandos in the under $400 range that seem to get mostly good reviews on the Cafe are the Eastwood Mandocaster (http://elderly.com/brand/90N_eastwood.html) & The Kentucky KM-300E (http://www.folkmusician.com/Kentucky-KM-300E-4-String-Electric-Mandolin/productinfo/KM%2D300E/).

I'm amazed how expensive the KM-300E is now: I got mine for $214.99 only three years ago (see this (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?41214-Kentucky-300e) thread). Good mandolin, though, especially at the price I paid.

Martin

[Tim2723]

I agree completely with Martin. That Kentucky model is a great buy for the money, IMO, but do bear in mind that the KM-300E is a four-string, solid-body model. Those can be made significantly better for the same price as an acoustic model with electronics added. It's important to compare electrics to electrics and AEs to AEs. They are fundamentally different by design. You can get a lot more for $300 in a solid-body than you will ever get in an acoustic-electric. To get the same build quality and electronics in an AE model might well double the price at least.

[Eddie Sheehy]

The Mandobird VIII is a gem for the price. For A/E the Ovation MCS148, the Fender FM62SCE, and the Godin A8, are all good buys. If you want a step up, check out Jermans, Manns, Ovation MM68...