I have the option of selling my KM150 for what I originally paid, and am considering getting an Eastman 305 or 505 instead.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade for a beginner/intermediate player? Or should I save my money for an Ellis A5 down the line?
I have the option of selling my KM150 for what I originally paid, and am considering getting an Eastman 305 or 505 instead.
Is this a worthwhile upgrade for a beginner/intermediate player? Or should I save my money for an Ellis A5 down the line?
I started playing mando less than a year ago, and at the suggestion of the folks at the Mandolin Store, purchased an Eastman 305 over the KM150. I have been playing stringed instruments for many years, and have a Martin D16 guitar, and a Pisgah 12" Dobson open back banjo, both of which I chose for sound quality and craftsmanship. I am more than happy with both of these criteria on the Eastman 305 mando. I don't envision that I will need to upgrade this instrument, at least not in the foreseeable future. Tone and playability are good, and the craftsmanship is well above average. Good luck in your quest for your new mando, personally, I can recommend the Eastman without reservation.
In my mind, you are considering a lateral move to the 305 and at best a modest improvement to the 505 if you find that the neck profile or tone more pleases you. I would save your money for an upgrade, which does not have to be the level of an Ellis to satisfy. The $1000-$1500 window will open a world of opportunities to you in the used A5 market.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
What pheffernan said. Save your money for the great leap forward, the first of which is a used small-shop mandolin in the neighborhood of $1,000 to $1,500.
Thanks for the reply! Could you recommend any particular models or makers to look at in that price range?
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
If you split the difference between the Ellis and the Kentucky you broaden the options to brands like Pava (made in the Ellis workshop) Collings MT's
And Girouards.....
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/151665#151665
Many more examples in the classifieds.
NFI
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
This would be a big upgrade and a great value -
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153221#153221
What I'm after ultimately is a twin-point style mandolin, similar to the Ellis. If I can get something with 90% of the sound for 25% of the cost, I'd happily jump on that. I just don't know how to start looking, to be honest. Don't think there are any mandolin shops or makers near me (in San Diego), and shopping online seems risky.
You need to get your hands on as wide a variety of mandolin as you can and listen and feel. So many variables in mandolin world, and the best online advice and videos can only get you a little way toward figuring out what YOU like. (And what you like now may well be different than what you like after you’ve played your first step-up mandolin for six months or a year.)
If you don’t have good stores near you and are even considering mandolins like the Ellis A5, then a trip to Nashville would be a worthwhile investment, to compare your KM150 to a wide variety of mandolins in your price range.
(That being said, buying an MD305 wouldn’t be a bad choice. Even if (or when) you upgrade, the MD305 is a nice spare for time and places that you might not want to risk taking a more expensive mandolin.)
Doug Brock
2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles
Something like this might be as close as you are going to get.....
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152815#152815
Charles is well regarded here on the Cafe as are all of the other sponsors, you can buy with confidence.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
Fair enough. I do like the Ellis mandolins but if there are options worth considering in the $1k-$1.5k price range then I'll definitely check those out, too. Do you guys go and visit the specific luthier shops? Or are there reasonably big mandolin stores scattered around the country?
Some folks go visit luthiers, but I’ve not had that luxury. There are some good stores out there, but these days even a decent music store might only have a couple of good brands (typically Collings and Eastman). I have to drive three hours from Kansas City to one store that does have a better variety (Morgan Music). For me, the next step would be a ten hour drive to Nashville where there are several stores with large selections of mandolins that you can try. Depending on where you live, there are other good stores out there - Elderly (but currently closed due to the pandemic), The Music Emporium, etc. (Just look at Mandolin Cafe sponsors.)
Yes, there are nice choices in the $1000 to $1500 range, but you’re likely going to have to pay shipping if you want to try one out for a 48 hour trial period.
Doug Brock
2018 Kimble 2 point (#259), Eastman MD315, Eastman MDA315, some guitars, banjos, and fiddles
This two point from Cafe member Barry Kratzer (aka Bull Dog Mandolins) is in your price range
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kratzer-Two...0AAOSwGnpeVCGb
Small shop 100% American made.
NFI
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
A two-point is going to shrink the field considerably as well as raise the cost. The options that sprang to mind immediately were Phoenix, Old Wave, and Rigel:
https://reverb.com/item/22724008-rig...resso-con-pana
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
Yes this Weber....
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152642#152642
That is a great deal and will be a big step up from your Kentucky.
It should serve you well until you can afford an Ellis two point. I can totally relate to why you are drawn to the Ellis two point, they are beautiful.
Good luck with your search!
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
A couple of other two-points to consider, depending on budget, include the Pomeroy at Fiddler's Green:
http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co...omeroy-2-point
For half the price, there is this Morris in the classifieds:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/150016#150016
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
This Ratliff just got relisted as a bottom of the budget option:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153221#153221
Mark doesn't list an asking price but I'd imagine this one to be in range:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/152763#152763
Charley's suggestion would be on my list as well.
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
Right on, thanks for the advice guys. I have to say though that I don't feel great about the prospect of shopping for a mandolin on-line. May have to make a pilgrimage to one of the big resellers.
Always best when you can play them in person.
Charley
A bunch of stuff with four strings
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
Not all the clams are at the beach
Arrow Manouche
Arrow Jazzbo
Arrow G
Clark 2 point
Gibson F5L
Gibson A-4
Ratliff CountryBoy A
1924 Gibson A Snakehead
2005 National RM-1
2007 Hester A5
2009 Passernig A5
2015 Black A2-z
2010 Black GBOM
2017 Poe Scout
2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
2018 Vessel TM5
2019 Hogan F5
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