Printable View
Hi all, newbie here. Bought my first mandolin on amazon warehouse deals. A km 150. Original packaging damaged but mandolin in perfect shape. Positioned the bridge tuned it up and sounds great. Good place to watch for deals especially if you don’t have the prime card yet which takes $100 of first purchase.
Kentucky KM-150 Standard A-model Mandolin - Sunburst https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OQC75K..._O8PjFbKWWG2Y1
I would rather own this all solid woods 1930's Vintage STRADOLIN https://ebay.us/Iatg5f and you could get it for $395 (I asked / he wouldn't take $350).
I like the Kentucky KM-150 but I love Stradolins and their made in America and it has the advantage of a Raised Fretboard Extension (those will spoil you).
It's all personal preference... New vs. Vintage, American made vs. Chinese and the variation in the tone of each.
I get a kick out of playing an 80 year old Mandolin. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
All the teens and twenties Gibson A-models (A5 notwithstanding) had the integrated fretboard. My A3 is over 100 years old. I am spoiled!Quote:
Originally Posted by your_diamond
f-d
I have a 98 Kentucky KM200S I got in March (1st mandolin - couldn't find a suitable used KM150 at the time, but that's what I wanted) and a 40's Strad-O-Lin I got in July. Both are well set up now. The Kentucky has only come out of the case once since they came back from being looked over and tweaked. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my old Strad-O-Lin, how it looks, how it sounds, how easy it is to play, the vintage-ey coolness of it. Just opening the case makes me smile. Great for newbies as I can attest.Quote:
Originally Posted by your_diamond
That one mentioned above is the one with the tuning pliers however :)). That said, mine had one really tight tuner as well, but since it was lubricated, it's been fine.
Sue
Lubrication usually fixes tight tuners. ALSO, THE PRE-WAR STRADOLINS HAVE A STRAIGHT SLOT SCREW HOLDING THE TUNING GEAR ON THAT CAN BE ADJUSTED. It's rarely a problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sue Rieter
As far as teens and twenties Gibson A-models go... they are Lovely, but I hear some 1930's A-models occasionally had raised fretboard extensions (I want one of those).
Sue, Enjoy that SOL. Mike P.S. My cat does the same thing. lol
I'm not sure where the Amazon ones are sourced from, but Elderly has a good price too, and it includes a nice bag, and it will come with a setup:
https://www.elderly.com/products/ken...m-150-mandolin