Greetings from Poland! I am a violinist who is interested in making the transition to mandolin. Mostly to fulfill a dream of being able to pretend to be like a medieval bard.
There is a brand here in Poland called Ever Play that I'm trying to find out about, particularly the quality. All I can find is that they are Chinese and they seem to make a large number of different instruments -- but almost all instrument makers are Chinese these days it seems. I saw the thread about Chinese mandolins, but not certain if this is the same thing.
They bear a striking resemblance to Rogues in photos, but there are different models: M1-BK, MM-201, and they even have an electro-acoustic. Prices for the basic model are roughly similar to the Rogues, and the others are of course more expensive. Their most expensive model has a solid spruce top!
Their basic model claims to use spruce, maple, rosewood, and that Asian nato wood and have a gloss finish.
Is there some massive factory in China where they produce mandolins and then put different brand names on them to sell in different countries? If I buy one of these will I just be getting a Rogue?
I would appreciate your advice about these, because I could instead just buy an Ibanez or a Fender but at a much higher price. There's also a brand called Gewa that makes some Portuguese style mandolins and Stagg which I believe I read some say to avoid. Kentucky is unfortunately not a brand that's available around here.
I want to make sure I buy an instrument that's not going to make me hate learning and sound like rubbish -- I can make it sound like rubbish on my own, I am sure.
Thank you for your advice.
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