Help me find a mando for my 10 yr old daughter

[nultylynch]

The title pretty much sums it up. In my house, right now, I have a Collings MT (my baby) and a Rogue. My daughter is starting to play, but she finds the Collings much easier to play (no kidding). My Collings has a wide nut (1 3/16), which I think is part of the ease. (she might be 10, but she's 5'5" with adult size hands)
The Rogue has been set up well, before you ask.
What should I look for for her, am looking to keep it under (preferably way under) $300.
I have a line on a Breedlove Crossover OO (she is playing Irish music, but I do on my MT) for 300 shipped. This has the benefit of a wide nut and a radiused fingerboard (she's coming from fiddle).
Maybe a Kentucky KM250, for about the same price (an slightly older one...Post-truss rod, but pre-radius).
Maybe an Eastman, if I can find one...but the narrow neck has me nervous.
Anything I'm not thinking of? She will be playing it with other trad musicians, so a more traditional look would be beneficial.
Thanks!

[MikeEdgerton]

One of the main issues I see here is that if you buy an instrument that she hasn't had a chance to play you're going to be in the same situation you are in now.

[Gunnar]

A used Kentucky would probably be great. Also look into the possibility of a flat top mandolin, a used red valley or big muddy (mid MO) can be found for very reasonable prices, and also Sonny Morris' mandolins sell for just over $500 new.
Best of luck!

[Gunnar]

Oops double post.

Flat top mandolins do work well in ITM

[Simon DS]

Yes, I’d get her to choose it, at ten years old it’ll help her to bond with it, find some sort of emotional attachment for the instrument (belonged to a friend before etc) don’t limit to 300 (!) and get the action set super low. Above all it’s her choice (within reason).

[Timbofood]

Let her use the Collings, when I sold instruments it was the kid whose parents saw the value in getting a better instrument so the problem would not be quality of the equipment.
That said, why don’t you want to share? You can’t play both at once, share what you have, see how she goes then get her something good. Save the $300 for now.
Can the rogue be tweaked a little for her?

[Br1ck]

I’d very much double you budget and find a used Flatiron 1N. Twelve will turn to fifteen in a heartbeat, and by then true quality and yes, status, will matter. If your goal is to have her be a life long player, this is the best way to go. The Flatiron will sound very different to your MT, but not qualitatively worse.

I say this coming from someone who invested twelve grand in a cello while playing a $500 guitar, and later spent $4500 on a viola, both when my daughters were in the eighth grade. Maybe I was too supportive as both are now professional musicians, but supporting them at something they were good at was one of our most important parental achievements.

[stevojack665]

Kentucky KM-150 for $325 with hardcase. New condition and good setup:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/145503#145503

[ccravens]

The Breedlove you have a line on sounds perfect to me.

[stevojack665]

The Breedlove you have a line on sounds perfect to me.

The Breedlove Crossover series is not that great. Pressed top and back, not carved. Also have a think poly finish that deadens the sound.
If you're looking for an oval hole mandolin, look for a Kentucky KM-270, or KM-272.

[stevojack665]

Another Kentucky KM-150 with case for $300
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/145708#145708

[nultylynch]

Thanks for all the ideas. I got a line on a KM-276 (wide nut, radius fretboard). Plus the oval hole will fit in much better in the celtic circles.

[B381]

Another Kentucky KM-150 with case for $300
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/145708#145708

A 150 is hard to beat....one of the most played out of my 4.....loud, easy to play and great sound.

[stevojack665]

Thanks for all the ideas. I got a line on a KM-276 (wide nut, radius fretboard). Plus the oval hole will fit in much better in the celtic circles.

Excellent choice!
I have a Kentucky KM-272 which is the same instrument in a different color. I love how easy it is to play and it has a rich even tone. Of all of my mandolins, including a Collings MT2-O, the KM-272 is the favorite of my 11 year old to play.
I bet she'll love it!

[Mandobart]

...I say this coming from someone who invested twelve grand in a cello while playing a $500 guitar, and later spent $4500 on a viola, both when my daughters were in the eighth grade. Maybe I was too supportive as both are now professional musicians, but supporting them at something they were good at was one of our most important parental achievements.

Ok everyone else thought this too, don't say you didn't. It is meant in fun as a musician joke. "They're both professional musicians? Good thing you got used to supporting them early on...."