Re: Help choosing a Mandolin? Rogue, Epiphone, Ibanez?
All three of my beginner mandolins (older, Korean Epiphone MM-30, newer, Chinese Epiphone MM-30E and newer, Chinese Kentucky KM-150S) which I purchased used in varying degrees of neglect, sound different. However, since they're set up well now, they all sound nice to myself and anyone who's heard them (though perhaps none of us know any better).
As far as I've been able to determine, none of mine are plywood (tops). At least two of them are indeed pressed. There is indications on all three of some kind of sanding and/or shaping during their creation.
The problem with pressed tops as I see it is that they afford a poor joint at the head block and tail blocks (there's an arched gap). At least one one of mine, there is no such gap. I have a nonuseable, used KM-140 w/ laminate pressed top mandolin here with a crushed top at the tail and with no indication of any impact. I'm fairly confident that the damaged ocurred due to string tension and a gap between the top and the tail block. I bought it real cheap as is.
Which one sounds the best to me depends on which one I've been playing primarily. For example, I put the Kentucky away for a few weeks and played around with the Chinese Epiphone. When I picked up the Kentucky again for a couple weeks, it sounded horrible at first and now sounds very nice, and now the Epiphone sounds off. They all sound different.
As far as oval vs. F holes go...all of mine are F holed mandolins and the celtic stuff I play sounds celtic to me.
1983 Flatiron 1N - Pancake/Army-Navy
2011 Eastman MD-315 - F-style
Rover RM-50B - A-style
2014 Satin Cherry, Gibson USA 120th Anniversary SGJ14
Godin Guitars' Art & Lutherie "Spruce" 6-string dreadnought. Hand made in Canada.
Bookmarks