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Thread: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

  1. #26
    Registered User Kevin Briggs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

    Quote Originally Posted by haggardphunk View Post
    I started on an Eastman 305 and fell in love with playing mandolin due to that specific mando. I still play as Eastman but a nicer one. Welcome to the forum!
    Another vote for used Eastman 305. Hard to beat!
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  2. #27
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    Default Re: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

    My vote's on Eastman 305 or Kentucky 250. It's worth looking at both, as mine feel and play differently. You may prefer one or the other. If you find a used one, you might get the same sound for less $$s.

  3. #28

    Default Re: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

    I ended up getting that Kentucky KM-270 from the amazon warehouse. I actually found it and bought it before finding this post. I was in the market for a mandolin for both me and my son to take lessons and learn the instrument and while I was searching on Amazon, found this warehouse deal. Given the price, 244, I had serious doubts, but since I know amazon's return procedure is very easy I gave it a shot, and am I glad that I did. The description stated that only the box was damaged, but the box had no damage really, but there was one thing that was wrong, and likely why the price was reduced so much. The pickguard had broken off where it is glued to the metal clip. Stupidly, whoever repackaged it at amazon did not secure the pickguard, which has two little spikes on one end of it. Thankfully, however, it didn't move any during all the shipping as the little spikes grabbed onto the soft interior of the Kentucky gig bag and never moved and didn't end up scratching anything. Other than the pickguard, the mandolin was flawless. I took it to a local mandolin repair shop and he did a setup for me and told me that it was in really good shape. I definitely hit a home run with this deal and I am super excited to be learning to play the mandolin (my son's first instrument, and my first stringed instrument.)

    If anyone else out there ever sees a warehouse deal at amazon, I wouldn't hesitate to try it. If it arrives unscathed, it is a win. if it is beaten up, then the return process is easy and free. Now, I just need to catch a good deal on a good entry level smaller guitar. Actually, have my eye on an FS800 that is a warehouse deal lol.
    Last edited by srogue; Jul-10-2022 at 10:06pm. Reason: spelling errors

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  5. #29
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

    Good for you. I love a bargain. You & your son are in for lots of fun
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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  7. #30
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

    Quote Originally Posted by J.C. Bryant View Post
    There is a Big Muddy in the Cafe ads at the moment. I think they are great mandolins aand work very well in most kinds of playing. A GREAT mandolin to start with for sure.
    This one would be a great starter as well(and finisher, JeffD):

    https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/In...n-117681217.gc
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  8. #31
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Best Beginner Mandolin on a Budget?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    This one would be a great starter as well(and finisher, JeffD):

    https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/In...n-117681217.gc
    Oh yes, easily. Could be someone's forever mandolin.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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    funny....

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