Upgrading my mandolin

[fergmaun]

I have a Mandolin by Blue Moon Model number: BM-05 I would like to upgrade.



Any one recommend reasonable price mandolin in Ireland or UK the A style with oval sound hole.

Wood used for
Neck
Fingerboard
Top
Bridge
Back
Sides

Nut/Saddle
Tailpiece
Geared tuner

Specifications
Nut width:
Width at 12th fret:
Scale length:
Max body depth:
Body width:
Number of Frets:
Overall body length:

Cheers

Fergus

[BrianWilliam]

With regards to price, define "reasonable".

[Jill McAuley]

I'd contact Tom Cussen down in Clarinbridge, Co. Galway, to see what he has in his shop - he's always got a variety of mandolins on the wall and may have something second hand that would be a step up from your Blue Moon.

[fergmaun]

With regards to price, define "reasonable".

Around £100 to £500 price range

[sbhikes]

I think it's best to go to a shop and just try them all out. Also, any time you meet another player, ask to try out their mandolin, too.

[mandroid]

Maybe a Banjo Mandolin for loud Pub Sessions?

[fergmaun]

Was thinking about this Mandolin Gold Tone GM-50 A Style.


Or a mandolin similar looking to my Freshwater Irish Bouzouki



Cheers

Fergus

[derbex]

I have heard some decent new Ozarks that would be in your price range, as would a second hand Hathway or Freshwater. The advice to try out is the best though, there seem to be several music shops in Belfast that have mandolins in your price range.

[fergmaun]

Found this link on the forum http://www.johnalveyturner.co.uk/page5.html mandolins for sale.


I like the look of this one
Price £195 anyone know anything or about this mandolin or even recognise the maker.

Cheers

Fergus

[derbex]

Hmm, I have seen that before, maybe ebay, maybe their site. I don't know anything about it, but if Mike Cameron, who was the luthier there last time I visited, has done the setup and checked it over then it should be playable, it would be worth checking that it has had a setup.

[NEH57]

I have 100% seen that before somewhere recently, I recall that Saturn and Moon logo......probably Ebay or Gumtree.....not much help, I know......but it may have been the same one, so a one off.

Odd that it would have no name.....and they would have looked.

(Snap...)

Nb....the fret markers look distinctly 'wobbly' which may 'not' be a sign of outstanding craftsmanship for the long term.

[billkilpatrick]

All depends on what it (they) sound like but I like that Washburn F-5. Good hunting.

[Ron McMillan]

I know you put a top limit of 500 pounds, but if you could squeeze the budget a bit higher (approx 700 pounds) a hand made Jimmy Moon standard series mandolin would be in a completely different world of quality from others mentioned here. While the others might be temporary stepping stones, the Jimmy Moon could be a lifetime keeper, despite being cheaper than many Eastmans or Kentuckys in the UK.

[Paul Busman]

Just curious, but what is there about your current mandolin that makes you want to upgrade?

[Kalasinar]

Just curious, but what is there about your current mandolin that makes you want to upgrade?

I'm somewhat curious too. I've seen one of these in County Music in Canterbury, marketed under the name of 'Brunswick'. Didn't get a chance to actually play it, but I remember it being quite heavy. I'd considered buying one for my best friend some time ago but went with another brand instead. It would be interesting to hear about the mandolin, as my research at the time didn't turn up much.

Edit: As for some recommendations, I've seen lots of praise for the Kentucky KM-150 here on the forum. Might be worth a look, Hobgoblin and TAMCO sell Kentucky mandolins. Hobgoblin also deal with Hathway mandolins. There's Dave Hynds in France too - does a lot of restoration work on bowlbacks, domebacks and flatbacks, and he makes instruments. I would have recommended an Eastman MD304/305...but it's beyond your budget.

[JeffD]

Just curious, but what is there about your current mandolin that makes you want to upgrade?

And/or what does it lack that you want?

Good stuff to consider when thinking of an upgrade.

Now, if instead of an upgrade, you are just wanting another mandolin....

[derbex]

I guess you have upgraded your strings on the Blue Moon, it can make quite a difference on those.

[fergmaun]

My first and only mandolin was the Blue Moon Model number: BM-05 I bought in September 2014 for around £60.00.

As I was a beginner player I wanted something at a reasonable cheapest price to start on.

Now I want to step up to a new Mandolin.

I did the same when starting on the Irish Bouzouki.

Began on the Irish Bouzouki by HORA" Romania which is label with Tonewood TBZ100-S now called Blue Moon BB-15 Irish Bouzouki

Years later upgraded to the Irish Bouzouki made by Dave Freshwater.

Cheers

Fergus

[Rodney Riley]

So basically MAS setting in It hits us all.

Just takes longer to set in with some. Didn't take almost 3 years for it to hit me. Happy hunting.

[fergmaun]

What is the different between the Eastman MD304 mandolin and the PILGRIM VPMA60 REDWOOD SERIES A-STYLE MANDOLIN.

Both look very similar



Cheers

Fergus

[Lowlands Blue]

Generally you can't really compare the quality of these instruments based on looks. I've seen nice looking mandolins that would sound best if used as firewood.

Instead compare things like the type of wood, hardware used, if its hand or machine made. Price will also give you an indication. You tend to get what you pay for

Eastman's have a good bang for your buck reputation, but I don't know much about Pilgrim.