Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 35

Thread: Narrowed it down to three

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Narrowed it down to three

    Hi all,

    I'm so glad to find this forum.

    I saw on MusiciansFriend that I can get an interest-free for four years for mandos over $500 for the next couple of weeks. I love this and have done this many times with other guitars.

    I've narrowed it down to three:
    Kentucky KM-508 Artist A-Model,
    The Loar LM-520 traditional f-model, or
    Epiphone MM-40L which is an f-type with an oval sound hole.
    OR if there is an incredible intermediate mando I should look at beyond these...

    What would you get? They are all comparable price-wise. I'm still learning on the mandolin but have been playing guitar for 40 years. I would be mostly using it for fun: home recording and playing with friends. I'm not a Musicians friend fan but to pay $15 a month over time is a great deal. Thanks in advance.

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Just plan on getting someone to set it up. If you think you can do it yourself get Rob Meldrums book on setting up the mandolin. You can PM him here and it is free. You can search the forum for his guide. A mandolin does NOT setup like a guitar so beware of that. Most guitar techs don't properly know how to set up a mandolin.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to pops1 For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    South of Cleburne, North of Hillsboro, Texas
    Posts
    5,089

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Those are good terms on the purchase!

    Quote Originally Posted by DevinG View Post
    What would you get?
    Kentucky KM-508 Artist A-Mode
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
    ----------------------------------
    "Life is short. Play hard." - AlanN

    ----------------------------------
    HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
    Newbies Social Group | The Song-A-Week Social
    The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
    - Advice For Mandolin Beginners
    - YouTube Stuff

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mark Gunter For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Pittsburgh Bill
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    1,067
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    I second the Kentucky as per Mark.
    And as per pops1 do not depend upon a guitar tech to set it up. Usually under a $100.00 depending upon where you live.
    Big Muddy EM8 solid body (Mike Dulak's final EM8 build)
    Kentucky KM-950
    Weber Gallatin A Mandola "D hole"
    Rogue 100A (current campfire tool & emergency canoe paddle)

  7. The following members say thank you to Pittsburgh Bill for this post:

    DevinG 

  8. #5
    Registered User Trey Young's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Carrollton, GA 30117
    Posts
    576

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Another vote for the Kentucky.

  9. The following members say thank you to Trey Young for this post:

    DevinG 

  10. #6
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Marietta, GA
    Posts
    1,745

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Dittos here, I prefer any Kentucky model over both The Loar and Epiphone.

    The Loar used to be good quality but I'm not a fan of the more recent ones.
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

    Soliver Hand Crafted Mandolins and Mandolin Armrests
    Armrests Here -- Mandolins Here

    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
    to lose sight of the shore, ...and also a boat with no holes in it.” -anonymous

  11. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to soliver For This Useful Post:


  12. #7
    Registered User Bob Buckingham's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Greer, SC
    Posts
    898

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Kentucky

  13. The following members say thank you to Bob Buckingham for this post:

    DevinG 

  14. #8
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Thanks pops1,
    I'm in Southern California. I would likely get it set up at McCabes in Santa Monica. Anyone have a So Cal set up recommend? I will definitely reach out to Rob Meldrums. Do you know his user name here?
    Thanks again!
    devin

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    Just plan on getting someone to set it up. If you think you can do it yourself get Rob Meldrums book on setting up the mandolin. You can PM him here and it is free. You can search the forum for his guide. A mandolin does NOT setup like a guitar so beware of that. Most guitar techs don't properly know how to set up a mandolin.

  15. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Thanks everyone! I will likely go with the Kentucky. If anyone in Southern California has a recommendation of where to get a set up please let me know. I will also reach out to Rob Meldrums for his set up guide. Thanks for your thoughts.

  16. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Albany Oregon
    Posts
    69

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    I had both Kentucky and Loar, I found The Loar sounded and played better.

  17. The following members say thank you to Richard G for this post:

    DevinG 

  18. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Thanks, Richard G.

    Which models did you go with in this comparison?
    Best,
    devin

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard G View Post
    I had both Kentucky and Loar, I found The Loar sounded and played better.

  19. #12
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Willow Spring, NC
    Posts
    563

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    https://youtu.be/RavUMQYgnK8

    Check out The Loar 520 in action.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  20. The following members say thank you to J Mangio for this post:

    DevinG 

  21. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Thanks for the video, J Mangio. It looks like a great mandolin. Still, a lot of folks are saying A model and Kentucky are better. I'm still learning.

  22. #14
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,045

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Yet another vote for the Kentucky. I find them to be consistently good.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  23. The following members say thank you to Eric Platt for this post:

    DevinG 

  24. #15

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Another +1 for Kentucky.

    Eastmans are also very good instruments.

    Every Loar I’ve seen here in the UK has had a really thick neck and very thick varnish, with runs and drips in it. Could have been B stock, of course, but they weren’t advertised as such.

  25. The following members say thank you to Johnny60 for this post:

    DevinG 

  26. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Quote Originally Posted by DevinG View Post
    I will also reach out to Rob Meldrums for his set up guide. Thanks for your thoughts.
    He simply uses his name, Rob Meldrum, on here, no different user name.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  27. The following members say thank you to pops1 for this post:

    DevinG 

  28. #17
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,787

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Another vote for the Kentucky. Loar used to make some very nice instruments, but changed their business model a few years back, and their newer offerings are less consistently good than Eastman and Kentucky, IMO. They still put out some winners, but, based on what I’ve seen at our local guitar center, a few more duds than they used to. If ya’ just gotta have an F style, I’d vote for the Eastman 315. I bought one to use as a “beater” about 5 years ago that I only recently sold during a downsize move. It compared favorably to a Collings MT that I owned. The Collings was definitely better and more complex tonally, but the Eastman had maybe 85% of the tone at 1/4 of the MT’s price. I chose to keep my better mandolins over the Eastman, but if finances dictated that I could only have one mandolin under $800, I would have been happy with the Eastman.

    Just food for thought. My keepers were a Skip Kelly A5 and a Rigel CT-110, so I’m not a “gotta have a scroll” guy, though I’ll probably get one eventually...
    Chuck

  29. The following members say thank you to CES for this post:

    DevinG 

  30. #18
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    South of Cleburne, North of Hillsboro, Texas
    Posts
    5,089

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    A lot of it comes down to personal preference. You didn’t ask “which should I buy” (no one should tell you that ) but you asked “What would you get?”

    I would get the Kentucky, because I’ve played “The Loars” and don’t like them compared to the Kentucky 500 series. Also not a fan of the Epiphone mandolins, though I have owned and loved several of their guitars over the years. I’ve owned Eastman, and I dislike their neck profiles.

    if I couldn’t play and compare the individual instruments in person, I’d have to go for the Kentucky on faith.
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
    ----------------------------------
    "Life is short. Play hard." - AlanN

    ----------------------------------
    HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
    Newbies Social Group | The Song-A-Week Social
    The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
    - Advice For Mandolin Beginners
    - YouTube Stuff

  31. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mark Gunter For This Useful Post:


  32. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Hi pops1,

    I found him and received the pdf. It's doesn't look too complicated. Much appreciated.

  33. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Thanks, Chuck.
    I will see if I can find and Eastman 315 locally to try it out.

  34. #21
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2020
    Location
    Long Beach, CA
    Posts
    38

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Thanks again, Mark.

    I might not be able to see them in person. May head out tomorrow if there's anything nearby.

  35. #22
    Registered User Jon Hall's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Nacogdoches Texas
    Posts
    1,295

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    I would go with the Kentucky. If both are new instruments and are priced comparatively the same, I cannot imagine that the F style is of the same quality as the A model. In the Kentucky line there is roughly $600 difference in comparable A models and F models. I'm not very familiar with The Loar but I seen and played a lot of Kentuckys and Epiphones; the Kentuckys were superior to the Epiphones.

  36. The following members say thank you to Jon Hall for this post:

    DevinG 

  37. #23
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    San Rafael, Ca
    Posts
    700

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Im not sure I would use McCabes for mandolin setup.
    They are more Guitar centric.
    Im sure they would be able to do it, but there are others with more experience with mandolins.

    I have used Nowell at Livingtree Music.
    He are in the San Fernando Valley.
    He is really good with Mandolins.
    Excellent even.

    http://www.livingtreemusic.com
    Mandolins: Northfield 5-Bar Artist Model "Old Dog", J Bovier F5 Special, Gibson A-00 (1940)
    Fiddles: 1920s Strad copy, 1930s Strad copy, Liu Xi T20, Liu Xi T19+ Dark.
    Guitars: Taylor 514c (1995), Gibson Southern Jumbo (1940s), Gibson L-48 (1940s), Les Paul Custom (1978), Fender Strat (Black/RWFB) (1984), Fender Strat (Candy Apple Red/MFB) (1985).
    Sitars: Hiren Roy KP (1980s), Naskar (1970s), Naskar (1960s).
    Misc: 8 Course Lute (L.K.Brown)

  38. The following members say thank you to CWRoyds for this post:

    DevinG 

  39. #24
    Resident Hack
    Join Date
    Jul 2020
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    295

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    I’ve owned Eastman, and I dislike their neck profiles.
    Can you tell me a little more about the difference in the neck profiles between the Kentucky vs. the Eastmans? Is this consistent up into the higher-end models?

  40. #25
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    South of Cleburne, North of Hillsboro, Texas
    Posts
    5,089

    Default Re: Narrowed it down to three

    It’s a feel for me. I think the Eastman has a more “C” shape neck, but honestly I never spent time actually comparing the profile cross sections, the comparison for me is in the feel.

    When I bought the MD315, the first thing I noticed was an inability to catch some notes cleanly on tunes I was very familiar with, so I checked scale length and nut widths on my other mandolins and ruled that out. So I decided that I would play nothing but the Eastman in order to adapt to it. I played it for about a year before I got a Collings. Collings was fantastic.

    So I decided to sell my Washburn beater and go with a Collings and the Eastman. I pulled out the Eastman and the Washburn, restrung and cleaned them, and played them. That’s when I fully realized that I hated the way the Eastman felt compared to both the Washburn and the Collings. So I sold the Eastman and kept the Washburn.

    I’ve since sampled other Eastman mandolins of various price points and octaves and I don’t care for the feel. This puts me in a small minority here.
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
    ----------------------------------
    "Life is short. Play hard." - AlanN

    ----------------------------------
    HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
    Newbies Social Group | The Song-A-Week Social
    The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
    - Advice For Mandolin Beginners
    - YouTube Stuff

  41. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Mark Gunter For This Useful Post:


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
  •