My E-mando

[Lt.Sam]

E-Mando
Finnaly i find an electric mandolin that i like tell me what you think and im also intrested in playin some jazz so what kind of strings would be best for it


Sam

[Unseen122]

Looks nice you should use Auction Sniper I have won most stuff that way.

[mikeomando]

It looks nice, I wonder how it plays. I think it's bad luck to tell everyone you like a mando that is still up for auction. One of these vultures on the cafe will go after it. It's hard to tell what strings will sound like on it until you get it in your hands.

[Lt.Sam]

Wait now im intrested in having a jazzy sound to it would you recomend a 4 string instead or is it possible only to use 4 on it when it can use 8??


Sam

[mikeomando]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You can easily take four strings off of an 8-string and play it as a 4-string. Gives you a little more space to bend notes, too, and you can play around with where you want to put each string becasue you have a choice of two slots for each one. Works much better on an electric, but also possible on an acoustic.

[Tom C]

The head stock is butt-ugly. The fingerboard does not look tapered or very little. For $200 ,the price is very reasonable where it may be worth a shot.

[b.pat]

I'd be very careful. There have been some very disparaging things said about this builder's work on these boards.
# # # # # # # # # # # B.Pat

[Lt.Sam]

i see the head is ugly but whats neat is that it that this looks like its very easy to take apart so i can always swap parts

what is so bad about this builder on the board?

Sam

[recklessmando]

A mandobird just showed up on the cafe classifieds for 200 bucks.

[Lt.Sam]

o let me take a look and thanks .. i looked at in for 200 dollers i would get some thing that some one had modified no choise of color when i could buy Mando bird
mando bird with whatever color i wanted and a gig bag for 200 $ i think this is my best choise over all what do you guys thinks about it?


Sam

[delsbrother]

Sheesh, people are getting 200 bucks for a used mandobird? Anyone want one of mine? (I have two; was thinking of painting one; now I'm chickening out)

Paging Mr. Mandohack..

[Lt.Sam]

What are they that bad of an electric mandolin?

Sam

[delsbrother]

No, it's just they aren't that expensive to start with.. You could get a new one (at least until recently) from reputable sources (like on this board, or from Elderly) for less than $200. You might have to wait, though. Both of mine were less than $200, new. But I suppose with supply/demand they're worth whatever someone's willing to pay.

I'm happy with the cost v. build quality on both of mine - just not sure if I really need them both.

[Lt.Sam]

So ... since i want a solid body mandolin and electric this would be the one to get then in the 200 - 300 range?

Sam

[delsbrother]

Whoops, just reread your post - you understand the new ones aren't that expensive. Plus you can get them in different colors... uh, theoretically (i.e. whenever the boat docks). It all depends on how long you want to wait.

The whole joy of Mandobird ownership is it's a neat little mando for very little money. I think if someone said I had to pay $300 for a Mandobird I'd start looking at the Kentucky instead.

I've never seen one of those ebay emandos in person, so I can't speak to whether it's as good a buy as a Mandobird or Kentucky. Remember, for $200-300 it won't be a Loar either.. Both of them will require some setup work. Whether the ebay one is setup correctly, who knows?

I think if you're after perfect emando playability right out of the box you might have to spend a little more money. Blue Stars are a little more, Schwabs, Ryders, etc. are around $1K.

[mrmando]

Go to emando.com!

[mikeomando]

Hey mrmando, How were the Olympics?

[thistle3585]

There were 2 KM-300s that were on ebay for $159.00 that were never bid on. You might check and see if they were relisted.
Or you can always buy one of Mastersounds mandos.

[Lt.Sam]

Are they better?

Sam

[thistle3585]

Sam,
I have a friend who has a mandobird, KM-300 and a mandocaster. He doesn't like the mandobird at all. He complains most about the neck and poor "playability". He is very impressed with the Kentucky, for the money. He said he had the opportunity to play a Schwab and said it compared to the mandocaster, but those are $1000+ instruments. Currently, he is having another four string built. I briefly played the Kentucky and liked the feel of it. Out of curiosity where in Ohio are you? Just wondered how close we were.

[Lt.Sam]

Toledo By the University of Toledo.. Hmm So how much would a Kentucky cost? Because i have to wait till oct 12 to get my new mandolin (stupid parents). So im still looking for the best that i can get for the most reasonable price 350 or lower....

Sam

Somthing like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....49&rd=1

[thistle3585]

I would email this person Expired ebay auctionand see if they still would be willing to sell it for the asking price.

[drooartz]

I've been pretty happy with my new KM-300e. Paid about $240 including shipping. I've got a review of it in this thread:

Kentucky KM-300e review

[Lt.Sam]

OK i sent a email to them asking about it i think this one is better then a mandobird and better quality so we shall see what happens and ill email the guy on ebay see whats up with that mandolin

Thanks

Sam

[delsbrother]

Beating a dead horse here, but IMO the Kentucky is NOT a better "quality" instrument than the Mandobird. They are both about the same quality, i.e. sub $300 mandolins. To make comparisons about playability in inexpensive imported mandolins (well, actually for ANY mandolins) without actually playing them is folly. My two Mandobirds came set up radically differently, for example. A little bit of work and all was fine. As far as materials, one Mandobird has finish issues, the other does not. My Kentucky was kind of in the middle. I'd say the fretwork on the Epiphones was a little better than my Kentucky. I got rid of the Kentucky because (obviously IMO) it was just fugly (and I usually like weird looking instruments). Plus it did nothing my Mandobird(s) didn't already do, for less money.

About the only thing I agree with in the "'Bird bashing" above is the Mandobird necks are quite thin. No doubt about it. I have small hands, so it's not an issue. If you have big fingers, it might be a deal-breaker.