electric or body pickup ?

[Chris Kuczynski]

I originally bought a very cheap electric mandolin to learn. As I have gotten more skilled I'm realizing the limitations of the instrument I have and want to move up in quality. I play with an electric band so I will need to have some kind of reenforcement for my sound.

As I trade up, should I spend the money for a better quality electric or an acoustic and by a body pickup. If the suggestion is the latter, can any one recommend a good body pickup for mandolin?

Thanks,

[Mandobart]

It all depends on stage volume. If you play with electric guitar, bass, drums and the on stage volume is high (meaning you can't easily talk to your bandmates while playing) then a solid body e-mando is what I recommend. Fortunately we have you covered here on the forum as does forum member Martin.

If you don't need full electric you could use a fixed mic on a stand, an internally mounted mic, or a pickup. Now you've opened up a subject that you could mine threads from the equipment forum for weeks. All options have merits, pros, cons, ardent supporters and dedicated detractors. The advanced search function in the upper right of this page will provide you with hours of distraction from actual practice.

[mandroid]

Yes, If the Stage sound level Is Too High a pickup attached to the soundboard-Top

Of an Acoustic Mandolin and you essentially have a Spruce diaphragm Microphone
to hear itself in the speakers ..

and so Is a Feed back loop participant.