I want to buy my first mandolin

[Artmusic]

Thank you for your answers !
It was advirtised as in a "very good condition".
I wrote an email to amazon and already sent it back.
The last 2 chords were impossible to tune.
It was not setup but I prefered the old cheap mandolin I 'm playing for the moment than this one.

Right now, I have to choose another mandolin (for playing mostly irish and trad tunes)
And again, I'm hesitating between:

This one : 600€ with gigbag and setup
http://vincimusic.fr/mandoline/1129-...600007460.html

and this one : 459€. I will have to add 90€ for a case + setup which means it's 550€ total
https://www.thomann.de/fr/the_loar_l...60_0#bewertung

I know the oval hole is recommended for irish music. It's just that, looking at all these mandolin pictures, I realised I really love the F shape.
I also like a bright sound...

To be honest, if I could I would buy the both of them !

[multidon]

You are not alone in your love for the F style shape. Your choices are both good ones but remember Thomann does not set up so add that cost in. And will you be able to find someone who knows how to do a mandolin set up? On the other hand the Eastman from Vinci comes already set up. Don't worry too much about F style or A style, oval hole or F hole on your first one. Anyone can play anything on anything. I play Irish/Celtic on my F style and it raises no eyebrows.

I like Eastman instruments. They have great build quality, lots of hand work. The Loar is more of a factory product, and I've seen good quality examples and poor ones too. Quality control is an issue with them. If you get a good one though, you do pretty well. A good one properly set up is most likely the most bang for your buck, to use an American phrase, in an F style.

[Bill Cameron]

Artmusic, I am an Eastman fan and would agree with all who are steering you in that direction. But since you mentioned the Seagull, I presume the S8 model, I bought one over a year ago and find it a very nice instrument. Very handy to travel with, but it also has enough volume and sound quality that I wouldnt hesitate to use it on a gig. Not the loudest, but loud enough. I am curious what you would be paying for one in France--mine was $370 Cdn, new, after I haggled a 10% discount. Certainly good value in that price range.

[Artmusic]

@multidon : The Loar won't be set up but I found a professionnal who can do it for 40€. If I add the set up + the hard case, the total coast of THE LOAR will be 550€ against 600€ for the Eastman with the setup.
I can't find other F shape mandolins under 600€...

@Bill Cameron : The seagull seems really nice and I love the guitars from the same brand :-). In France, the natural model (the cheapest one) is 459€ (whithout the set up). It's approx 680 Cdn ( taxes included). Since Seagull is a canadian brand, maybe that's why it's cheaper there.

I also think that the Eastman seems to have a better built quality.

[Jill McAuley]

For the difference of 50 euro I would totally go for the Eastman. Regarding the professional who could set up the Loar - are they a guitar luthier or are the a luthier with experience setting up mandolins?

[Artmusic]

@Jill McAuley : the professional is a guitar luthier who is used to work on mandolin. He restores mandolins but doesn't have any to sell for the moment.
Thank you for your feedbacks. Everyone seems to prefer the Eastman and I am going to listen to your advices :-).
It's a shame the Eastman MD 315 is out of my budget because this one is a real beauty !!!

[Bill Cameron]

Definitely the Eastman--and I would reccomend pricing a 505 A-style, the sweet spot in terms of pricing/features in the whole Eastman mando line imho.

As far as the Seagull goes, I have the natural model, it is just as good as the slightly more expensive ones. But I would not pay that much for it. It is an interesting instrument in that it is very thoughtfully designed to be an affordable manufactured instrument with good quality materials and hardware. Most entry-level instruments just try to look like all the others (but cheaper). My S-8 is straight factory setup as far as I know--since the bridge is, unusually, fixed in place, custom, and non-adjustable (there is an adjustable truss rod) I think it was actually designed to be playable off the rack and not need a detailed setup.

[Artmusic]

Unfortunatly, the Eastman 505 is almost 900€ and out of my budget.
I'm looking at the 304 or 305 right now

[Johnny60]

Hi Artmusic - it's worth getting in contact with Trevor at Tamco (the acoustic music company) in Brighton UK. He stocks Eastmans and his price for an F Style 300 series (315) is £749. He also has 505s in stock at £799. He has a great reputation and your instrument will arrive fully set and playable. I have no financial interest here and have never bought from him. However, I have played several mandolins from people who have bought from him and they've been beautifully set up. I'd recommend giving him a try. His prices are good, and his service and reputation are both excellent.

I've never met you luthier, so can't comment one way or another about his work. What I will say is that 40€ does seem a very good price - are you sure that he'll set the intonation, check the fret ends and do any levelling that's necessary, check that the bridge is fully seated and in the right place, set the neck relief, set the height on the bridge, check the nut slots are wide and deep enough and stick on some new strings all for 40€? If so, that's a bargain!!

Good luck with your hunt, and let us know how it turns out.

Cheers

John

[Artmusic]

Thank you Johnny60 !

I thought The Acoustic Music Company was closed because it's been a week i'm trying to check their website but it's not working.

I had a small change of plan since I am going to try a Breedlove OF NT Crossover tomorrow. It's 2 hours away from home but on my way to a meeting.
It's in mint condition since the person (a guitarist) wanted to try playing the mandolin but stopped because it didn't have the time to learn a new instrument correctly. it's from 2014. Told me it's been in his original box for a long time.
It's 450€ and I can try it and buy it or just decide to go for the Eastman with no regret.
I don't know if 450€ is a good price for this mandolin ?
I read good reviews on Breedlove.
Picture below



Edit : i've just learnt the 2014 models are laminated back and sides...
Maybe it's best if I buy a brand new model from Eastman !

[multidon]

I would pass on that Breedlove. Not impressed with the quality of the China made Crossover series. Newer ones are all solid wood but be wary of the older ones with laminate. And even the newer ones have no adjustable truss rod. That makes them harder to set up to player preferences. Sticking to your plan to acquire an Eastman would be wise.

I note that the prices available to you seem higher than in the USA. We can easily buy Eastman 304 or 305 for around 499 dollars ( about 437 € at current exchange rates). I know that there are US dealers willing to ship internationally, but I have no idea whether you would come out ahead or not once you add in your taxes and import fees. Plus, you just may not want the hassle. It may be worth looking into, though. I know for a fact that Elderly Instruments and The Mandolin Store, just to name two, sell internationally.

[rfd]

for a first time mandolin, a decent build and exceptional playability should be the principle requirements. this is true for any acoustic stringed instrument. i would buy new and with a guarantee, and try-before-buying is important but not an absolute. it will undoubtedly be of asian origin, unless yer pockets are deep and jingle a bunch.

if the price is right, i'm impressed with the quality of the asian crossovers. all the asian mandolins are in a camp by themselves, though clearly some will appear better than others. extremely few, or none, will be in the league of an onshore build, however most will do quite nicely. aside from playability, all the rest is in the subjective eyes, ears and hands of the beholder.

[Artmusic]

@Johnny60 : I think you were right about the set up because I checked on the Moloney Music website and it's 90€ for a full set up. I am not sure the guitar luthier will be as good...

@multidon : Yes, I am trying to get a solid wood instrument so no Breedlove from 2014 for me ! I think I checked and contacted all the website. If I want to order outside the EU, I can't buy an instrument with a rosewood part. When I add taxes and 30 to 40€ that are alway add at the end (administrative costs), it's almost the same price than in France.
I am thinking about Moloney Music for my order. They seems to be specialists.
I wrote to them because they advice on a full set up for the THE LOAR mando and not the Eastman.
I could get the model THE LOAR LM 500 with a full set up or the model EASTMAN 305 with a basic setup and it would be the same price.

It's so complicated here to find a mandolin

[Kalasinar]

You've picked two decent options there. I think whichever mandolin you choose of the two, so long as it is set up correctly, will be an excellent starter instrument. Personally I think you will get more quality with the Eastman, however this won't be your only mandolin purchase if you really get into it. I'm sure in time you will eventually want to upgrade anyway. For now you just need to get your first mandolin and start your adventure

[RodCH]

I have a pocket mandolin that was made in the south of France by David Hynds. I don't recommend that you start with a pocket version, but you should find out how close his shop is to your location. I recommend you do not show up without an appointment but I find his work first rate and he is a good guy to deal with.

[RodCH]

I have an Eastman in my collection and my wife is always trying to get me to sell it. She says it sounds tinny. And I suspect her ears are better than mine.

[almeriastrings]

Thank you Johnny60 !

I thought The Acoustic Music Company was closed because it's been a week i'm trying to check their website but it's not working.

http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/...andolins-.html

Those prices do include a pro setup....

[Artmusic]

I have a pocket mandolin that was made in the south of France by David Hynds. I don't recommend that you start with a pocket version, but you should find out how close his shop is to your location. I recommend you do not show up without an appointment but I find his work first rate and he is a good guy to deal with.

Right now. I am still waiting for amazon to proceed to the reimbursement of my kentuchy mandolin.

I looked at dave mandolins and they seems really good.
I had a bad experience with a luthier once and I am a bit scared but I should ask him some questions.
I can read the first price is 400€.
He's 5 hours driving from where I live so I won't be able to go and visit his wokshop.

Thank you RodCH !

[Artmusic]

Hello Everyone,

Just to tell you I received my Eastman 304 today ! I ordered it at Moloney Music in Ireland and love it very much. I wouldn't have chosen this model without your advices so thank you very much !
I started with some Irish tunes and a Bach bourrée. It's perfect !