A very nice intermediate mandolin & why I got it.

[Ralf Czerny]

In reality I have owned about six different mandolins and I'm still just a beginner but I can play most of the chords, a few songs and a lot of "noodling" on the neck. I have finally found the Mandolin I want to keep and I thought it might help others if I shared my buying decision.

I did not want a beginners Mando only because I wanted something nicer but here was my criteria:
1. Solid Wood throughout.
2. A nice striped Maple back (My Father was a violinist and I always loved the Backs of the violins.
3. Any style; A, F, or something else.
4 Something that could reasonably be an heirloom

The ONLY one I could find that matched my criteria was an Ibanez 700AVS I found one far below the MFRP and it exhibited some really great features;
While it is an F-Style it does not have the pompadour head like most F styles (I found the pompadour style to be prone to breakage and not particularly to my liking)
It has an absolutely wonderful tone and exceptional sustain.
Solid wood through and a nicely figured striped maple back.


The only drawback was one of the tuners on the e string was unusable - this maybe who the price was so low. But I called Ibanez support and they sent me a new set - really exceptional customer service.
I suppose I am not sophisticated enough to understand the differences in tone others have mentioned but to my ear it's sounds fabulous when played softly or when driven. With it and a really nice case I'm still way under the retail price.

[tmsweeney]

Glad you like it and are happy playing it, that implies you will play it more often and there will be more mandolin music in the world, a win win I'd say.
I also understand the need to move up from a beginners model.
Now you have moved into the stage of mandolin where you are not just playing tunes but pushing tone out of the instrument.
Enjoy!

[Ralf Czerny]

Thank you Sir, that is very gratifying!

[Jim Garber]

I don’t know that particular mandolin but you listed a very sensible set of criteria in choosing it. Congratulations and here’s to your continuing on the path to learning this wonderful instrument.

[Ralf Czerny]

Attachment 206211


Here is a photo. I really love the color - again more reminiscent of the violins

[Jim Garber]

Sorry, Clunk,,, this didn’t work.

I assume it is like one of these:

[JiminRussia]

Congrats on a great choice. I know exactly how you feel. My “first” mandolin and the only mandolin that I own now is an Ibanez 522. A long time ago in a galaxy not very far away I was a bluegrass mandolin/banjo fanatic that got burned out and quit completely for more than 20 years. It’s a long story. In any respect in early 2020 I wanted something to relieve the crushing boredom of being under house arrest by the Covid virus for the next few years, so I bought a guitar. In fact I bought several before landing on “the ONE”, and later a mandolin. I stumbled upon this Ibanez 522 and took a chance on it because it ticked all of the boxes for me, (make that “box”) it was inexpensive, one of those “open box” deals from an on line vendor. I wasn’t expecting much, but after a thorough set up, I was amazed, shocked, delighted at what I had. 20 or 25 years ago, the last time I fondled a mandolin, an entry level mandolin wasn’t even in the same universe as this little mandolin. I had gotten it right the first time! The craftsmanship was good. It was much better that I anticipated. The only thing that I could criticise on it was the way too heavy gloss finish. I love high gloss on all my instruments, but it does have limits. Yes, it’s laminated and no it doesn’t project like a multi-thousand dollar mando, but my cat, my only audience thinks that it is quite loud enough. The sound was astounding for a beginner mandolin at this price point. Mine has the dark violin finish that I really like. Maybe someday in the future I may upgrade, but it will be a while and probably never. I’m 76 now, so it’s unlikely that I will “outgrow” this little guy.