$199.00 solid F style mandolin

[MikeEdgerton]

The specs say that this comes with Grover tuners. I'm looking forward to just messing with this thing.

[dhergert]

The tuners are very smooth, more smooth than those that are on my F9 (2002).

And another interesting part is the tailpiece...

-- Don

[Mike Stewart]

I finally decided to just buy one of these as a mandolin to keep at work.

I don't personally know you, Mike, nor do I know your habits or willpower. But when you were saying earlier how you were dropping it in the cart to see if MF was still selling them, I asked myself, "wonder how long he'll last before clicking that 'checkout' button?"

[MikeEdgerton]

I actually do have willpower but I realized I had a need. That's what MAS is all about. That and and I can mess with it

Several years ago there was this great closeout on Fullerton mandolins really cheap. They were real sleepers. I bought one, decided I didn't like it and sent it back. I've seen them sell for 4 times what I paid for that thing. I should have kept that one to keep under my desk.

[MikeEdgerton]

The tuners are very smooth, more smooth than those that are on my F9 (2002).

And another interesting part is the tailpiece...

-- Don

What kind of tuners are on your F9?

[dhergert]

I actually don't know the brand, but the buttons (white) are molded (or glued) on. No button screws. I am not the original owner, but it looks to me like these tuners were original equipment, there are no unused screw holes or re-fit indentations in the back of the peghead. This was the first year that the F9 was produced; since then the newer F9 models do have tuners with button screws. Again, I don't know the brand that are on them now either.

Btw, I just ordered a second MKLFSTB from MF, this for a close friend who also wants a backup/travel mando. He has a few Kettler mandolins that he really likes, but like me he wants something that sounds good that he can travel with, and can play in harsh conditions without worrying. He heard mine yesterday and just called me about getting one today.

Mike, from an ethical standpoint, should I be thinking about a special donation to Café, since it was here that I found out about these mandos? I'm willing if that is the fair thing to do.

Actually, strike that question -- I'm doing it anyway. I appreciate Café and all the folks that support it.

-- Don

What kind of tuners are on your F9?

[MikeEdgerton]

I would guess they were Schaller tuners. Post a picture and I should be able to verify that. Those are usually pretty decent tuners.

[dhergert]

Here they are...



They may need a little gentle oiling. I haven't touched them except to tune with them since I got the mandolin in 2012. Your suggestions?

-- Don

[MikeEdgerton]

Those are Schaller tuners. Take a look at Paul Hostetter's tuner maintenance page:

http://www.lutherie.net/tuner.maintenance.html

[Robert Mitchell]

Thank you Mike for starting this post,,I've been following,,and just pulled the trigger.
Order went through fine,,so now I'm waiting.Looks like a great deal!!!!
BTW,,,,Music 123 asks $499.99

[MikeEdgerton]

Music123 is owned by MusiciansFriend. Same company

I got the shipping notice on mine last night.

[Robert Mitchell]

didn't know,,let us know what you think of the mandolin ..when you get it.

[dhergert]

My new (#2) MKLFSTB order just shipped from MF. I had a number of other items that had to be collected. Should be here tomorrow.

I'll be doing the setup on this for my friend, he wants it just like mine, so I expect to be lowering the action at the nut and bridge, dressing the frets if necessary, setting the bridge for intonation, changing the strings, etc... My friend also wanted a tone guard, a tuner and a strap, plus some extra tuners and straps for his Kettler mandolins, so those will be coming in soon. He's got a spare case at home, so we won't need to order that. More fun.

-- Don

[Ellsdemon]

Got mine yesterday, and I'm loving it. I'm still learning to play and I wanted a serious upgrade from the A style that I bought sometime ago. I love the sound and the flat finish on it. I wouldn't be able to tell you much detail on nut, and fret boards, etc. compared to way more expensive Mando's but this is awesome. I've gone to a local shop and played around with Mando's that were $5K+ and my inexperienced ear wouldn't be able to tell too much difference. The sound comes out loud and what I call "twangy/bluesgrassy". The tailpiece does look to be a pain in the but when changing strings since you can't seem to get direct access to the hooks to maybe put tape on it so they don't come out when threading on tuners. But not impossible.

Very grateful for whomever posted the start of this thread, I would not have been able to upgrade so much and at a price that I didn't have to beg my wife to much. Thank you.

[dhergert]

Having changed the strings on this mando with its custom MK tailpiece, and then also changed strings on my F9 with its standard Gibson tailpiece, I'd say actually the MK tailpiece is no worse while changing strings than the Gibson tailpiece is. As far as strings coming loose from the tailpiece while stringing up the mando, in my experience this happens randomly with both tailpieces.

Oh, and the MK tailpiece can use ball-end strings, a capability which I use since I use custom string sets for my custom mando tunings.

I do suspect that there is a beneficial tone difference with the heavier cast MK tailpiece, but I haven't switched it or other tailpieces around with either of my F-style mandos to prove that.

-- Don

[Mike Stewart]

Mike, from an ethical standpoint, should I be thinking about a special donation to Café, since it was here that I found out about these mandos? I'm willing if that is the fair thing to do.

Actually, strike that question -- I'm doing it anyway. I appreciate Café and all the folks that support it.

So that you know, you prompted me to drop my first dollars in the hat. I've been mostly lurking for a couple of years, benefitted from Mr. Edgerton's knowledge in the past when trying to date my A-50, and benefitted in other ways from others. Now I saved a few hundred on a mandolin (Edgerton again, hmm) that some say plays better than its price, so time to kick in, I guess.

Oh, I'll be leaving work early tomorrow so that I'm here when UPS drops it off. Told work I didn't want it to sit out in the rain. Hope they don't check the forecast. 😄

[dhergert]

Well, my #2 order came in today, the one for my friend. Another great MK mando, sounds great from the box. I'll be dressing the frets, adjusting the nut and bridge and changing the strings on this mando also; this friend is used to Kettler mandos and buttery action so I'm giving this new MK the same treatment as mine.

The build of this 2nd MK is very good, and extremely similar to my first one, but there are some very subtle but noticeable differences, enough to indicate that they were not totally made by a machine and maybe not even by the same person. And the wood grains and flame patterns are also different, enough to verify that they are definitely not photographic simulations. Real solid wood here.

Oh, and no missing screws on these tuner buttons. Everything is here. Other than a couple of high frets, I really can't find anything that would have qualified this MK as a restock.

Mike, thanks again. Great buys!

-- Don

[MikeEdgerton]

Did the boxes look like they were repacked?

[Jacob]

Did the boxes look like they were repacked?

Mine appeared to be in original unopened packaging.

[MikeEdgerton]

I suspected that might be the case. Even better.

[Mike Stewart]

For those of us a little thick in the head, are you suggesting these were never restocks to begin with? That would explain why they appear to have so many of them.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm suggesting that they are calling them that so they can sell them at the price they are selling them. It was probably a program with MK to get rid of excess stock.

[Bill Snyder]

I ordered one. Never purchased from Musician's Friend. Will they email me tracking information when it ships.

[MikeEdgerton]

You should get an e-mail when the order is accepted and another one when it ships. Should is the keyword. I never got the shipping notice but I checked the order on their site and got a tracking number. Mine should arrive tomorrow.

[Mike Stewart]

You should get an e-mail when the order is accepted and another one when it ships. Should is the keyword.

I think that they say on their website somewhere that they'll send shipping notice. Of the few times I've ordered from MF, they've never sent one, including this time.

But as Mike said, wait a day or two, go dig through their site to find the "order status" link. Enter email and order number, sorted.