A Good Intermediate Mandolin

[O'Cearnaigh]

Hello everyone, I've been playing mandolin for a year+ now and I believe it is time for a better instrument than what I've got (Kentucky 150 model with no tuss rod) It has come down to two instruments: an Ashbury AM-50 here and a Michael Kelly AO here Any input on how these two match up, or don't, is much appreciated!

-Dan

[mrmando]

I don't think either of these would be that much of an improvement over the Kentucky. Save your pennies for an Eastman or a Big Muddy. Or an old Flatiron.

[Steve Ostrander]

How about a Kentucky km505? Or an Eastman md505?

[stratton7584]

Maybe you can keep saving and buy you a breedlove of brand new they are 1000 dollars but i bet you can find it alot cheaper used.i have a breedlove kf and it has an amazing sound as do all breedloves.

[stratton7584]

I meant a breedlove ko. Sorry.

[Steve L]

Dan, are you in the UK? I seem to think Ashbury is a brand sold over there and not here in the states. I'd see if you can get in touch with Trevor at the Acoustic Music Company and get his advice on upgrades in your price range.

[O'Cearnaigh]

Dan, are you in the UK? I seem to think Ashbury is a brand sold over there and not here in the states. I'd see if you can get in touch with Trevor at the Acoustic Music Company and get his advice on upgrades in your price range.

Nope, I live in the states (WV, hello & thanks to stratton7584) I was looking at the Ashburys sold by Hobgoblin Music in MN. I was also looking hard at an Eastman MD504. I'm at a bit of a dilemma I suppose; between a lower priced instrument (Ashbury) that while saving me some cash, might not be much better than what I have; the Michael Kelly that I've heard is a good instrument for the money but the difference in price between it and the Eastman is only around $130. I should probably say that I'm a college student and can't really afford to drop $1000+ on an instrument at the moment. The Eastman would be at the very tip top of my price range. Thanks for the advice everyone.

[Steve L]

Eastman ovals turn up used here on a pretty regular basis. This is a pretty safe place to buy. I would watch the classifieds and you should be able to snag one at a pretty good price.

[mrmando]

Yes, speaking from experience, you can get a used Eastman for $600 or thereabouts.

[Tim2723]

Hi Dan and welcome!

Is there a specific reason you're looking to upgrade after only a year? You mentioned the lack of truss rod. Has your Kentucky's neck gone haywire?

I'm a big Michael Kelly fan, but unless your instrument is really holding you back my advice would be to keep playing and practicing, have lots of fun with the Kentucky, put the money toward your school needs, get your degree, then forget about small upgrades and buy a really top rate instrument as your reward. Mandolins come and go, but an education is forever.

[Laird]

I also started with a used Kentucky 150, then saved up and moved to a used Eastman 515, which is a great improvement. For under $1000, I'm not sure you can beat it. Someday my next step will be a Collings, but the Eastman's going to get me through a kid or two, I imagine.

[Jill McAuley]

Keep your eye out on the classifieds here - a few weeks ago someone posted an Arches flat top for $400, and Eastmans come up on a regular basis too. I wouldn't go for the Ashbury - you won't be moving up with that one.

Cheers,
Jill

[tburcham]

I agree with Stratten...Breedlove for the money (or a lot more money) is hard to beat!

[allenhopkins]

Q: Should I get my next ham sandwich with Swiss or provolone cheese?

A: You should save up until you can order filet mignon.

A Breedlove would cost approximately twice what the OP intends to pay. He says he's a college student and can't spend $1K on a mandolin. What he'd like to know is, Ashbury OR Michael Kelly OR perhaps spend a bit more on an Eastman? He'd probably be really happy with a Gibson F-5L, but let's try to keep our advice somewhat tied to the parameters of the question, OK?

Based on the questions asked, I'd say, either a better Kentucky, or an Eastman. At the very top end of the range, a used Mid-Mo/Big Muddy, if one's available.

[mandroid]

Play the one you have and learn more stuff on it , I say.. don't worry about it for a while,
give it a few more years.. improve the player.. lessons to play better is a good thing to shop for if the truth be known...

[Jill McAuley]

NFI on my part, but I just noticed that there's a used Eastman 504 due in at cafe sponsers The Mandolin Store - check out the link below:

http://www.themandolinstore.com/scri...idproduct=8962


Cheers,
Jill

[Eric F.]

Dan, you might want to keep your eye on this link: http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/rhaus1999

Saga routinely offers its blemished instruments on eBay at reduced prices and seems quite willing to accept low offers. After Jim MacDaniel pointed it out recently, a few people here scored ridiculously good deals on mandolins. There's not much there right now, but maybe the next shipment from China will hit rough seas or something and they'll post a bunch more cosmetically challenged instruments. Also, do not be afraid of buying used. A mandolin is not a car.

[Sam Bush Fan!]

get a breedlove they are great.

[Ryk Loske]

Jill just found your mandolin.

Given what you've said are your parameters and situation ... i'ld be all over that like white on rice.

Ryk

[Jim MacDaniel]

At the very top end of the range, a used Mid-Mo/Big Muddy, if one's available.

But aren't you recommending a Pastrami on Rye?

[Rob Gerety]

Jill just found your mandolin.

Given what you've said are your parameters and situation ... i'ld be all over that like white on rice.

Ryk

Me too. Nice mando, good price. That one will hold you for a good long time. I'm definitely in the buy used camp. Much better to buy used in most cases.

[Lefty Luthier]

Few, if any, of the volume produced mandolins can compare to those built by any number of AMERICAN luthiers. Many of us can produce an exquisite instrument, without tons of decoration, for under $2,000. Why waste your money on junk that will be outgrown in a year when you can get quality for so little more?

[Capt. E]

If you want an oval hole an Eastman 504 for $399 is very good indeed. If you want ff holes, then I would go with a Kentucky 505.

[Eric F.]

Few, if any, of the volume produced mandolins can compare to those built by any number of AMERICAN luthiers. Many of us can produce an exquisite instrument, without tons of decoration, for under $2,000. Why waste your money on junk that will be outgrown in a year when you can get quality for so little more?

Because he doesn't have the money? Also, while a KM-505 is not going to win a battle with a good hand-built instrument, it's not a piece of junk. Neither is an Eastman. Either one should serve a new player on a budget quite well.

[Laird]

Few, if any, of the volume produced mandolins can compare to those built by any number of AMERICAN luthiers. Many of us can produce an exquisite instrument, without tons of decoration, for under $2,000. Why waste your money on junk that will be outgrown in a year when you can get quality for so little more?

Yikes! The difference between $500 and $2000 (or even $1500) is huge to a college student. Also, I wouldn't call an Eastman or Kentucky 505 "junk."