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Thread: new mandolin

  1. #1

    Default new mandolin

    I am looking at spending £300 on a new mandolin.

    What would you recommend for me???

  2. #2
    In The Van Ben Milne's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    I recommend playing as many mandolins as you can within your budget, and a few that are above your budget, to gauge what tends to be better for more money, then buy the one you like the sound of and feels good to play.
    Hereby & forthwith, any instrument with an odd number of strings shall be considered broken. With regard to mix levels, usually the best approach is treating the mandolin the same as a cowbell.

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    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    Spending '£'s' seems like you're in the UK ?. Find one (or more) of the 'Hobgoblin' chain of stores.They sell mandolins in a range of prices,some of them,the 'Kentucky' range of instruments, are very good value indeed for the money.If you want a really fine instrument,then i'd go a bit higher in price & buy one that will see you right for years,the KM-505 model. I played one several months ago,& having 2 fine instruments of my own to compare it to,it came out very well indeed in terms of tone & playability,
    Ivan
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    Mandolin Botherer Shelagh Moore's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    Hobgoblin yes... they do carry instruments, new and secondhand, in that price range. There are also a number of independent shops, depending on your location, that often carry decent lower-priced instruments.

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by robsmith View Post
    I am looking at spending £300 on a new mandolin.

    What would you recommend for me???
    I woudl reccommend that you do it.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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    funny....

  6. #6
    Registered User houseworker's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by robsmith View Post
    I am looking at spending £300 on a new mandolin.

    What would you recommend for me???
    The advice you were offered last time remains good. If you tell us where you are in the UK, and what mandolins you've tried since you last asked for recommendations, we may be able to offer realistic suggestions.

  7. #7

    Default Re: new mandolin

    I have bought a Kentucky KM-162.

  8. #8

    Default Re: new mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by houseworker View Post
    The advice you were offered last time remains good. If you tell us where you are in the UK, and what mandolins you've tried since you last asked for recommendations, we may be able to offer realistic suggestions.
    only last time i had £500 to spend........

  9. #9
    Registered User houseworker's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by robsmith View Post
    I have bought a Kentucky KM-162.
    Glad you've found an instrument, hopefully it'll serve you well. Did you buy it from a store or via the internet?

  10. #10
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: new mandolin

    I would recommend spending as much as you can afford and get a used instrument as well. If you can spend 700 pounds or more you will have an instument that will be easier to play and you can sell later for the same price when you upgrade (you WILL eventually want to upgrade). I like Kentucky, The Loar, Eastman, and the old vintage Gibson A's, especially a 1936-1941 model A-OO (a bargin in my opinion). Remember, a mandolin generally will sell for twice the price of an equivalent quality guitar.
    Jammin' south of the river
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