Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 66

Thread: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

  1. #1

    Default Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    I may be looking at picking up an A Style w/Oval for Irish/Celtic, Folk, Swing, etc. I'm not sure on a budget yet but may not be very big, somewhere around $600 probably. I'm just dipping my toes in to see what type suggestions I get. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warwick,New York
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    A Washburn Celtic oval hole A style.

  3. #3
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Big Muddy MW-0 has been favorably mentioned several times on the Cafe.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  4. #4

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    I own a Kentucky KM-272 and really like it. Bit of a hybrid A oval with a raised fingerboard and neck that attaches at fret 14. Not as amazing as my Collings MT2-O, but also 1/9 the price.
    $500 with setup and gig bag.
    KM-270 & KM-276 are the same just different colors
    https://www.elderly.com/products/ken...m-272-mandolin
    https://themandolinstore.com/product...hole-mandolin/
    https://www.elderly.com/products/ken...m-270-mandolin
    https://themandolinstore.com/product...hole-mandolin/

  5. #5
    Registered User northfolk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Lake Superior, WI
    Posts
    341

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    There are a few Red Valley Flat-tops currently in the Cafe classifieds.
    Thanks for your support?

  6. #6
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Another one to consider would be the Eastman 304 - The Mandolin Store lists one for $510, and coming from them you would know that it would be well set up:

    https://themandolinstore.com/product...oval-mandolin/
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  7. #7

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Thank you for all the replies! I'll check them all out and welcome more suggestions, thanks again!

  8. #8

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    I liked the looks of the Red Valley mandolins as well. But they are flat tops?

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,787

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    I used to have a Flatiron 1N that I liked. They can be found used in the $450-650 range from time to time. Great little instruments, IMHO. If you’re looking new the Eastman and Kentucky options mentioned would fit the bill.
    Chuck

  10. #10
    Registered User northfolk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Lake Superior, WI
    Posts
    341

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by Northwest Steve View Post
    I liked the looks of the Red Valley mandolins as well. But they are flat tops?
    I think flat-top ovals project better than carved topped ovals; IMO
    Thanks for your support?

  11. The following members say thank you to northfolk for this post:


  12. #11

    Smile Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Thanks again for all the feedback I've been steadily looking at all of these different mandolins and I really like all of them. I got to say though, it kind of irks me that holes are drilled to install pickguards on mandolins. It's kind of like seeing a Les Paul guitar with a pickguard... it just doesn't belong. But that's just my opinion and I'm sure that others with playing styles different than mine would greatly disagree with me.

    Has anyone had the same problem I have had with the advanced search feature on the classifieds? I can't get it to work at all. I enter in keywords and click search and it just takes me back to the full list of classifieds.

    Anyone know anything about the Gold Tone GM-50? I ran into it while debating on getting an octave mandolin instead.

  13. #12

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Leaning heavily toward the Kentucky KM272. I haven't ruled out the Big Muddy MW-0 if I found a good deal. I haven't seen the different options shown for the Big Muddy on their website but it's nice they offer them. My Morgan Monroe MMS-5W is a bit tight around the nut for my fingers and a slighted wider neck profile would be nice. I'll have to look at the stats between them.
    Last edited by ryevick; Apr-27-2020 at 12:12am.
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  14. #13

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by ryevick View Post
    Thanks again for all the feedback I've been steadily looking at all of these different mandolins and I really like all of them. I got to say though, it kind of irks me that holes are drilled to install pickguards on mandolins. It's kind of like seeing a Les Paul guitar with a pickguard... it just doesn't belong. But that's just my opinion and I'm sure that others with playing styles different than mine would greatly disagree with me.

    Has anyone had the same problem I have had with the advanced search feature on the classifieds? I can't get it to work at all. I enter in keywords and click search and it just takes me back to the full list of classifieds.

    Anyone know anything about the Gold Tone GM-50? I ran into it while debating on getting an octave mandolin instead.
    I'm not a fan of pick-guards/finger-rests on mandolins either. I just removed the one that came on the Kentucky. It does leave a screw hole, but it isn't an issue for me.

    Regarding the Gold Tone GM-50, they make decent instruments for the price.
    The GM-50 has a solid spruce top (likely pressed, not carved) and laminate back and sides. The Kentucky and Eastman mandolins will have solid carved top and back, solid sides (which is generally preferred)
    If you need to save $150 vs the Kentucky or Eastman, I'm sure it would work. Just make sure to buy it from a good dealer who will do the setup for you.

  15. #14
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crockett, TX
    Posts
    1,058

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    I know you are leaning towards the Kentucky, but I will join 2 others in this thread to suggest the Red Valley.

    Here is one in your price range:


    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153488#153488
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  16. #15
    Registered User mandolinstew's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warwick,New York
    Posts
    637

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    J Bovier flat top at reverb

  17. #16

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by stevojack665 View Post
    I own a Kentucky KM-272 and really like it. Bit of a hybrid A oval with a raised fingerboard and neck that attaches at fret 14. Not as amazing as my Collings MT2-O, but also 1/9 the price.
    $500 with setup and gig bag.
    KM-270 & KM-276 are the same just different colors
    https://www.elderly.com/products/ken...m-272-mandolin
    https://themandolinstore.com/product...hole-mandolin/
    https://www.elderly.com/products/ken...m-270-mandolin
    https://themandolinstore.com/product...hole-mandolin/

    What is the nut width on your 272? I'm reading that some are 1 1/4" and some are 1 1/8". I still haven't done it, I've been really busy but I'm going to be comparing nut widths of the Kentucky, Big Muddy and Red Valley. Wide is good.
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  18. #17

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by ccravens View Post
    I know you are leaning towards the Kentucky, but I will join 2 others in this thread to suggest the Red Valley.

    Here is one in your price range:


    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/153488#153488
    It's going to be a few weeks before I pull the trigger, I'm just doing my homework right now but Red Valley will for sure be on the short list.
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  19. #18

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    Another one to consider would be the Eastman 304 - The Mandolin Store lists one for $510, and coming from them you would know that it would be well set up:

    https://themandolinstore.com/product...oval-mandolin/
    That is a pretty mandolin.
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  20. #19
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Co. Mayo, Ireland
    Posts
    3,569

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by ryevick View Post
    That is a pretty mandolin.
    Re: that Eastman 304 I linked to in my earlier post - I notice you mentioned preferring a wider nut width - if that's the case the Eastman mightn't be one to have in the running as they're not known for wide nut width.
    2018 Girouard Concert oval A
    2015 JP "Whitechapel" tenor banjo
    2018 Frank Tate tenor guitar
    1969 Martin 00-18




    my Youtube channel

  21. #20

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    Re: that Eastman 304 I linked to in my earlier post - I notice you mentioned preferring a wider nut width - if that's the case the Eastman mightn't be one to have in the running as they're not known for wide nut width.
    Yeah I noticed that. It wasn't one I was considering, I just really like the appearance/design.
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  22. #21

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by ryevick View Post
    What is the nut width on your 272? I'm reading that some are 1 1/4" and some are 1 1/8". I still haven't done it, I've been really busy but I'm going to be comparing nut widths of the Kentucky, Big Muddy and Red Valley. Wide is good.
    1&1/8" nut width on Kentucky 200 series. Radiused fingerboard though. I find it to be quite comfortable.
    https://www.sagamusic.com/products/p...px?item=KM-272

  23. #22

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Kentucky is still in but I would like to hear thoughts on Red Valley vs Big Muddy?
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  24. #23
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    I bought a 1922 Gibson A for $600. in the 80's (So, a Time Machine would be handy)
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  25. #24

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    On a side note, I didn't realize The Mandolin Store was located where it is in Tennessee. I drive by there fairly often... that's nice.
    Morris A4
    Morgan Monroe MMS-5W
    Fiddlerman Concert Violin

  26. #25
    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Sunny PNW
    Posts
    399

    Default Re: Looking For A Decent A Style w/Oval

    Quote Originally Posted by ryevick View Post
    I drive by there fairly often... that's nice.
    Or dangerous...depending on your self-control

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •