I'm U.K based and am currently looking at buying a beginner mandolin for myself. I recently purchased a vangoa from amazon for around £80, which was returned after a couple months (very very poor quality with multiple issues). Currently I'm looking for mandolin with a max budget of around £250. I'm aware Kentucky and eastman are go to for beginner mandolins, unfortunately I can't find a reasonable supplier of kentuckys in the U.K and eastmans are quite over budget.
I'd like a mandolin which is either A or F shaped with F holes. I'll mainly be using the mandolin for folk and folk punk music. I'd love any recommendations which fit the above criteria. Currently I'm considering the below and would like to know which would likely be the better mandolin
Ozark 2455 - https://www.eaglemusicshop.com/prod/...in-gig-bag.htm
The Loar LM-310F-BRB - https://www.thomann.de/gb/the_loar_lm_310f_brb.htm
I'm leaning slightly more towards the loar at the moment due to the hand carved top and unlaminated sides, the main thing bringing me towards the ozark is that eagle music also provide a set up. I'm not experienced enough to do my own set up at the moment, and with lockdown guitar shops are closed. Plus, I'm not really sure how expensive these set ups usually are.
I'd like to know people's thoughts. Which is better, or is there an option available in the U.K which I might be better off with?
I'm very excited to get involved in this community and with mandolin. I really appreciate your time in reading and/or responding to this
Bookmarks