[FIRST MANDOLIN] The Loar, Eastman, Kentucky?

[colorado_al]

If you must have the F-Style, Here's an Eastman MD315 for £450
http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/98188#98188

[MrEma93]

I think I have enough information for now... Now I have to take some time to reflect and take the plunge! Thank you all for precious advices!

Here you go.
Eastman MD505 used from the classifieds £400:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/98525#98525
Bought from and setup by TAMCO

even if I'm not for used stuffs, it's definitely to be taken into consideration!

UPDATE: Last question... What about purchase guarantee and product warranty?

[pheffernan]

If you must have the F-Style, Here's an Eastman MD315 for £450
http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/98188#98188

Good eye, Al! I was going to suggest keeping an eye on the classifieds for a used instrument in Europe so as to suppress costs. With a 400 Euro savings over new, I'd be all over that MD315 were I the OP!

[Folkmusician.com]

UPDATE: Last question... What about purchase guarantee and product warranty?

If you are buying new, most US based brands will not be under factory warranty outside the USA. It falls on your local distributor and solely depends on their policy. For those that do honor warranty, you will have to cover shipping to and from the USA (very expensive, and risk of problems with customs, lost package, etc).

[MrEma93]

If you are buying new, most US based brands will not be under factory warranty outside the USA. It falls on your local distributor and solely depends on their policy. For those that do honor warranty, you will have to cover shipping to and from the USA (very expensive, and risk of problems with customs, lost package, etc).

I didn't explain it well! I was talking of the secondhand market on this forum!
I can buy used stuff... But... If they don't ship the mandolin? If the item arrives broken or otherwise not conform to the description?

[soliver]

I've been very happy with my Eastman MD305,... I imagine the 505 would be an excellent choice!

[Eric F.]

Luca, most sellers on the Cafe offer an inspection period during which you can decide to return the mandolin - at your expense - if you don't like it or find it is not as described.

There are rarely any problems, but it does require a leap of faith. Sometimes a phone conversation can go a long way toward making you feel comfortable about a transaction.

Be sure the seller purchases insurance when shipping the instrument, and if it arrives broken you can file a claim for the money. How easy a process that is will depend on the shipping company.

Buying used is almost always less expensive, but there are many advantages to buying new, especially for a first instrument.

In bocca al lupo!

[MrEma93]

Luca, most sellers on the Cafe offer an inspection period during which you can decide to return the mandolin - at your expense - if you don't like it or find it is not as described.

There are rarely any problems, but it does require a leap of faith. Sometimes a phone conversation can go a long way toward making you feel comfortable about a transaction.

Be sure the seller purchases insurance when shipping the instrument, and if it arrives broken you can file a claim for the money. How easy a process that is will depend on the shipping company.

And if I pay and seller doesn't ship the item?
I'm very very wary because I had bad experiences in the past..

Buying used is almost always less expensive, but there are many advantages to buying new, especially for a first instrument.

Pros to buying new?

In bocca al lupo!

Crepi! And thanks for reply!

[Eric F.]

Pros to buying new:

You're buying from a dealer, so you should have no worries about not getting what you ordered. Peace of mind is worth money when buying something expensive online.

The instrument should have no problems or physical blemishes. You get to make the first scratch or bump on it.

The dealer, if it has a technician, can do a "setup," which means an inspection and adjustment of various parts of the mandolin that influence playability.

Some dealers carry used instruments, of course, and that might be a good option too.

[Br1ck]

I just bought my first mandolin, an Eastman MD 505, and my feeling is that for someone new, buying from a good dealer who does a setup is worth the money. I wouldn't know a good setup otherwise. Now I do, and shopping for another mandolin will be easier.

[MrEma93]

You get to make the first scratch or bump on it.

I think exactly the same way as you do!

[dschonbrun]

And if I pay and seller doesn't ship the item?
I'm very very wary because I had bad experiences in the past..



Pros to buying new?



Crepi! And thanks for reply!

Luca, Using Paypal will give you a recourse. As the seller has to put in shipping information, and you can typically get your money back from Paypal if the product doesn't arrive.

Best,
David

[Ge23ev]

This thread is probably not active anymore but I'm going to ask anyway. Why don't you just buy a top quality bowl back Neapolitan style and get started with that since you're in Italy ? Id do anything to get my hand on a proper Neapolitan mandolin