Suggestions for First Mandolin Purchase

Brewbaker · March 11th, 2004, 06:13 PM

I'm thinking about buying a mandolin to use on some tracks I'm recording in my home studio. I've never played one much but figure I can pick it up well enough for some rhythm parts (I hope). Anyone have suggestions on a decent quality instrument?

Mark Davis · March 11th, 2004, 06:27 PM

After I saw NIckelCreek I decided to play mandolin.

Bought a nice solid woods mando cost around $650 played it about 10 mins and decided the neck was so thin I couldnt play it.

8 strings on a neck thats only 1" wide its very hard to play.

I would recommend you buy one at a store that lets you return it in 30 days.

I have a uke I can play fine its 4 strings on about a 1" wide neck but the 8 strings all jammed up so close together made it almost impossible for me to play.

ne4tt · March 13th, 2004, 08:02 PM

Check with the group at the Mandolin Cafe.
Good advice for beginners and advanced players.

The Folk of the Wood has new/used instruments.
Bought my Epi. MM30 used from them.
Fast shipping, excellent service.

The Epiphone MM30, mahogany body, Korean manufacture, is a good beginner's instrument.
There is one for $130 in the Mando Cafe's classifieds.

jamie

Brewbaker · March 14th, 2004, 04:25 PM

-e-

Bob Mc · March 18th, 2004, 06:50 PM

hey brewbaker; I split my time 'tween the Cafe and here.
(I actually play more mando then guitar anymore, shh)
I just got a low end Breedlove (in the Cafe wantads); they have a radius to the neck that feels great to us guitar guys.
Rule of thumb is; dollars go further with an A then an F.
As pretty as the F model is, they're labor intensive.
Mid Missouri makes great (in the US!) Celtic style models available with wide necks. I've seen them for under 300
but it'll be closer to 400. And speaking from experience,
avoid the MIK, MIC beauties unless you can play before you pay (not on ebay).
I'm no expert, but in the last 3 years I've been thru 11
(honestly) mandolins; PM me if you want to check specs or get a second opinion.

jkats · March 19th, 2004, 11:23 PM

Try a Kentucky mandolin for a decent instrument for between $150 and $250. You're in Cape Elizabeth, right? They had a couple of Kentucky mandolins at Buckdancers here in Portland last time I looked.

Smilin' Dave · March 21st, 2004, 05:33 PM

I play both mandolin and guitar. If you are serious about the mandolin you will have to spend a few bucks to get one that really works. You will get more for your money from an A style than from an F. Accoustically, they are not very different. Its mostly a cosmetic and style thing with the F.

I have a 1914 Gibson A4 roundhole and a Bill Bussman (Old Wave) A with F-holes. The round hole sound is well, rounder! with a very woody bass and the f hole style is brighter and louder. It gives that bluegrass style chop. Two tools for very different styles. I probably record with the Gibson most often, but reach for the Bussman when playing out, it cuts better at a gig.

A good mando will cost at least a grand, unless you are really lucky. I've never owned or found anything that really does it for less, they are tricky to build right and time consuming. The low end Rigel A natural is probably the best bet for the money and it would be easy to sell if you didn't like it. They can be found for around 900 to 1000 bucks I believe. Early century Gibson A models (A1, A2, A3 and A4) are very available as well and can be found for around 1200 to 2500 bucks.

Hope this helps, the mando is a great instrument and its always welcome in a jam, great if a violin player is around. I never thought I would end up a mando player, but I love it. Good luck!

Dave

Tim Bowen · April 2nd, 2004, 04:45 PM

Okay, so just how bad (or not) is the Fender FM-52E acoustic-electric?

http://216.239.41.104/search?hl=en&q...ctric+mandolin

I know, you get what you pay for & all that, but the budget's pretty slim. Any other acoustic-electrics worth considering in this price range? I just recently started playing mando, so an instrument fit for a virtuoso would be lost on me... I just need something I can practice with, & that's decent sounding enough to play a few tunes on at acoustic gigs. My partner has a nice mando that I cut some tracks with last night, so I'm covered on that end.

Bob Mc · April 2nd, 2004, 05:11 PM

and it sounded TERRIBLE; out of tune, poor note choices...
oh wait that was my fault

Seriously, it played OK but we had it plugged in my Deluxe clone and I don't think that was optimum. My limited technique didn't do it any justice either.
Heard better things about the Mandobird, but haven;t tried one.

Tim Bowen · April 2nd, 2004, 05:40 PM

Ha... Bob, I think you were describing my mando 'stylings'...

Mandobird? You mean this cute little thing?!

http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...ollectionID=11

Bob Mc · April 2nd, 2004, 05:51 PM

They used to be 4 string!
I DO like looking at that!

buglecorps · April 10th, 2004, 09:27 PM

Army/Navy Flatiron style one that they sell at Opry Mills.
More of a souvie than anything else..still it's playable IF you can play Mando..I find it to be nearly impossible to do any thing more than one finger chords, and a bit of melody..so tiny..I would try before you buy!

March 11th, 2004, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	Suggestions for First Mandolin Purchase I'm thinking about buying a mandolin to use on some tracks I'm recording in my home studio. I've never played one much but figure I can pick it up well enough for some rhythm parts (I hope). Anyone have suggestions on a decent quality instrument?

March 13th, 2004, 08:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
ne4tt Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,536 4 Photos	Check in at the Mandolin Cafe Check with the group at the Mandolin Cafe. Good advice for beginners and advanced players. The Folk of the Wood has new/used instruments. Bought my Epi. MM30 used from them. Fast shipping, excellent service. The Epiphone MM30, mahogany body, Korean manufacture, is a good beginner's instrument. There is one for $130 in the Mando Cafe's classifieds. jamie

March 14th, 2004, 04:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Brewbaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cape Elizabeth, Maine Posts: 258	Thanks--Mandolin Cafe is like TDPRI--only double strung ;-) -e-

March 18th, 2004, 06:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,615	how'd I miss this one? hey brewbaker; I split my time 'tween the Cafe and here. (I actually play more mando then guitar anymore, shh) I just got a low end Breedlove (in the Cafe wantads); they have a radius to the neck that feels great to us guitar guys. Rule of thumb is; dollars go further with an A then an F. As pretty as the F model is, they're labor intensive. Mid Missouri makes great (in the US!) Celtic style models available with wide necks. I've seen them for under 300 but it'll be closer to 400. And speaking from experience, avoid the MIK, MIC beauties unless you can play before you pay (not on ebay). I'm no expert, but in the last 3 years I've been thru 11 (honestly) mandolins; PM me if you want to check specs or get a second opinion. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

March 19th, 2004, 11:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
jkats Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Portland, Maine Posts: 221	Kentucky Try a Kentucky mandolin for a decent instrument for between $150 and $250. You're in Cape Elizabeth, right? They had a couple of Kentucky mandolins at Buckdancers here in Portland last time I looked.

March 11th, 2004, 06:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mark Davis Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 58 Posts: 12,741	After I saw NIckelCreek I decided to play mandolin. Bought a nice solid woods mando cost around $650 played it about 10 mins and decided the neck was so thin I couldnt play it. 8 strings on a neck thats only 1" wide its very hard to play. I would recommend you buy one at a store that lets you return it in 30 days. I have a uke I can play fine its 4 strings on about a 1" wide neck but the 8 strings all jammed up so close together made it almost impossible for me to play.

March 21st, 2004, 05:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Smilin' Dave TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 64	Re: Suggestions for First Mandolin Purchase I play both mandolin and guitar. If you are serious about the mandolin you will have to spend a few bucks to get one that really works. You will get more for your money from an A style than from an F. Accoustically, they are not very different. Its mostly a cosmetic and style thing with the F. I have a 1914 Gibson A4 roundhole and a Bill Bussman (Old Wave) A with F-holes. The round hole sound is well, rounder! with a very woody bass and the f hole style is brighter and louder. It gives that bluegrass style chop. Two tools for very different styles. I probably record with the Gibson most often, but reach for the Bussman when playing out, it cuts better at a gig. A good mando will cost at least a grand, unless you are really lucky. I've never owned or found anything that really does it for less, they are tricky to build right and time consuming. The low end Rigel A natural is probably the best bet for the money and it would be easy to sell if you didn't like it. They can be found for around 900 to 1000 bucks I believe. Early century Gibson A models (A1, A2, A3 and A4) are very available as well and can be found for around 1200 to 2500 bucks. Hope this helps, the mando is a great instrument and its always welcome in a jam, great if a violin player is around. I never thought I would end up a mando player, but I love it. Good luck! Dave __________________ If it sounds good, it is good.

April 2nd, 2004, 04:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 48 Posts: 3,300	Okay, so just how bad (or not) is the Fender FM-52E acoustic-electric? http://216.239.41.104/search?hl=en&q...ctric+mandolin I know, you get what you pay for & all that, but the budget's pretty slim. Any other acoustic-electrics worth considering in this price range? I just recently started playing mando, so an instrument fit for a virtuoso would be lost on me... I just need something I can practice with, & that's decent sounding enough to play a few tunes on at acoustic gigs. My partner has a nice mando that I cut some tracks with last night, so I'm covered on that end. __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

April 2nd, 2004, 05:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,615	Only played one and it sounded TERRIBLE; out of tune, poor note choices... oh wait that was my fault Seriously, it played OK but we had it plugged in my Deluxe clone and I don't think that was optimum. My limited technique didn't do it any justice either. Heard better things about the Mandobird, but haven;t tried one. __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

April 2nd, 2004, 05:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
Tim Bowen Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Age: 48 Posts: 3,300	Ha... Bob, I think you were describing my mando 'stylings'... Mandobird? You mean this cute little thing?! http://www.epiphone.com/default.asp?...ollectionID=11 __________________ "Everyone is different in how they learn, but for me, it's turning the pegs and just playing." - BB

April 2nd, 2004, 05:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
Bob Mc Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mo'town NJ Posts: 1,615	whoaa They used to be 4 string! I DO like looking at that! __________________ All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out. Mark Twain

April 10th, 2004, 09:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
buglecorps Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Suburban Twang Town Posts: 753	I have the little.. Army/Navy Flatiron style one that they sell at Opry Mills. More of a souvie than anything else..still it's playable IF you can play Mando..I find it to be nearly impossible to do any thing more than one finger chords, and a bit of melody..so tiny..I would try before you buy! __________________ Loud is Good...