mandolin boy - Posted - 12/22/2011:  14:46:26

I think the best one would be a loar Lm700 . What do you think?

TI_USER - Posted - 12/22/2011:  15:16:08

Breedlove Quartz/American OF would be my first pick. Kentucky Km-1000 and Kentucky KM-900 would be up there as well.

Edited by - TI_USER on 12/22/2011 15:16:37

mandolin boy - Posted - 12/22/2011:  15:34:33

Dose a Lm700 and a km1000 kind of have the same sound ?

Ben Venuti - Posted - 12/22/2011:  19:15:11

A vintage Gibson A.
K1000's are pretty nice mandolins.

bcameron - Posted - 12/26/2011:  07:00:07

Depends what you are looking for, the vintage Gibson A's are lovely instruments, and many are still amazingly affordable, but if you have a more aggressive/adventurous playing style that demands an F-hole type instrument, the top-line Eastmans are within your price range there. (Personally I am very happy with an Eastman MD-505, you could buy 2 of them for under $1500).

TI_USER - Posted - 12/26/2011:  15:17:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by mandolin boy



Dose a Lm700 and a km1000 kind of have the same sound ?

---

I'm sure the Loar and Kentucky are somewhat similar, but I think I would go for the Kentucky.  I think they're more consistantly top quality instruments and have a fine professional sound.

bcameron - Posted - 12/27/2011:  01:31:11

I've never warmed up to a Kentucky for some reason--just don't hear as much character in their sound, especially the woody lower end, as the Eastmans in comparable price range.  But aside from Eastman, I'd second the Breedlove Quartz.

mandovoodoo - Posted - 12/27/2011:  02:40:36

Different players get different things out of instruments.

KM1000, KM900 tighter sound, focus, excellent construction
The Loar LM700 warmer, more open, not perhaps as crisp, not as precision in construction. Need Cumberland bridge in my opinion
Eastman MD905, MD815V - excellent handmade looking instrument. I like the bass/mid/treble balance on the high end Eastman.
Breedlove - I don't know the new line, but an excellent buy if you like that type of thing.

bcameron - Posted - 12/27/2011:  05:50:42

The couple of Breedloves I tried had tons of sparkly treble, and a great feel to them--comfortable neck/fingerboard and perfect intonation. Maybe a little less lower range beef. Granted, it's a mandolin not a bass or guitar, but to me I like to hear some depth in the lower register.

But your point is well taken Mr Voodoo. All the instruments we are discussing are good instruments from a technical checklist standpoint, so in the end it's the one that makes a particular player want to play it that is the "best". For that player.
Bill

teletodd - Posted - 02/18/2012:  04:40:39

Is spirit varnish preferable over nitro? I thought I recently saw a Kentucky km 1000 in varnish and I think 600 series and higher eastmans are varnish.

mandovoodoo - Posted - 02/18/2012:  13:52:13

Finish effects likely depend more on the way the whole finishing system is done, rather than material. But softer finishes can tolerate more buildup.

wwwjimbo - Posted - 02/21/2012:  18:02:25

Your best bet will be a used Gibson A9. You can get one for $900 to $1200 depending on what a particular seler needs at the time. The name Gibson has always been the most desired and thus your A9 will hold its value and probably increase in value. The others mentioned above will not do that.

bcameron - Posted - 02/21/2012:  18:49:15

There is considerable wisdom in Jimbo's words, at least in terms of future resale value.  Don't underestimate the value of a marquee-name like Gibson or Martin on the peghead of any instrument, ever. There are simply more people who will be interested from the get-go.  And I tried an A9 or two in my research--very nice, but I wasn't looking to spend $1600 Cdn for a new one.  But if you can get a used one in the range Jimbo suggests, thats a good buy, though you might be waiting awhile for that increase in value.  

I stand by my Eastman recommendation.   I understand they are due for a fairly substantial price increase in the coming year;  they have established the brand quality, and apparently Chinese labour laws have recently recognized the concept of paying overtime--and the Eastman mando dept supposedly consists of seven luthiers in any given year...they are kinda busy.  I am not too thrilled that they have just started a real "budget" line though, they will lose some of the panache they have established if they get too involved in that...(see "Martin, CF")

Jim Yates - Posted - 02/21/2012:  20:45:50

I've always thought that if you have a price limit, be it $500 or $1500, the best mandolin is going to be an A style.  In other words, a $500 A style will be a better mandolin than a $500 F style.  Likewise a $1500 A style will be a better mandolin than a $1500 F style.  I don't mean that As are always better than Fs, but at a given price point you can make that generalization.

I know, "All generalizations, including this one, are false."

TI_USER - Posted - 02/21/2012:  20:48:04

Another excellent choice is the Kentucky KM-900.  Everything I have heard about these has been nothing but glowing reviews.  I have heard a couple and they are excellent.  They're made in a separate factory along with the KM-1000 and KM-1500 and they are every bit a professional mandolin.

teletodd - Posted - 02/21/2012:  21:31:05

Would you get the km900 over a similarly price Eastman?

bcameron - Posted - 02/22/2012:  05:22:09

Jim makes a good point, technically, but I'm not sure it would be reflected in later resale value.  I think above $1000 the F-styles would hold their value better because of more demand for them in the bluegrass community.  

And I would personally avoid The Loar brand entirely, especially the higher-end ones, because when I read threads about them, most enthusiasts (not beginners, the ones who actually buy high-end instruments) think the use of the Loar name, though they acquired the trademark quite legally, is tacky and somewhat misleading on a brand which identifies primarily as "entry-level" instruments.  

If I was an instrument-building company and owned the use of the name "Loar", I would use it as a brand-within-a-brand on the highest-grade instruments, where it could signify the incorporation of some of Loar's innovations into the instrument--tap-tuning, graduated top, etc.  (F-holes don't count anymore, too ubiquitous) or even non-Loar-related but advanced innovations.  I think Gibson was nuts to let go of the rights to the name.  

Jim Yates - Posted - 02/23/2012:  10:43:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by bcameron

And I would personally avoid The Loar brand entirely, especially the higher-end ones, because when I read threads about them, most enthusiasts (not beginners, the ones who actually buy high-end instruments) think the use of the Loar name, though they acquired the trademark quite legally, is tacky and somewhat misleading on a brand which identifies primarily as "entry-level" instruments.  

If I was an instrument-building company and owned the use of the name "Loar", I would use it as a brand-within-a-brand on the highest-grade instruments, where it could signify the incorporation of some of Loar's innovations into the instrument--tap-tuning, graduated top, etc.  (F-holes don't count anymore, too ubiquitous) or even non-Loar-related but advanced innovations.  I think Gibson was nuts to let go of the rights to the name.  

---

A bit of thread drift, but this is something that confuses a lot of people and is not unique to the Loar name. 

The original Goya guitars made by the Levin company in Sweden were professional quality instruments, but the name Goya was bought by Martin and the quality of the Goya instruments dropped drastically. 

The Washburn instruments associated with Lyon and Healy are completely different instruments and have only the name in common with today's Washburns.  Today's Washburn Company makes some nice instruments, but they are very different instruments.

calace - Posted - 02/24/2012:  21:30:36

Well, I have had success with Paris Swing and Morgan Monroe. I purchased both from The Mandolin Hut in Tenn. The set up was fantastic. 

I would say avoid the Kentucky 805. I have seen it advertised for under 900 dollars. I purchased one from  the Mandolin Store in Arizona. When I received it the tuners were barely able to turn. The finish was dull. The playability was far below expectations. The bridge was not adjusted properly. It seemed that  instrument was shipped right out of the factory box without an inspection. Now, only months later the neck has warped slightl.  Considering how the mandolin  was shipped I would not be surprised if the neck was warped from the start.  

It is exciting to buy a new mando. I  just with you the best.

Joe Mangio - Posted - 02/26/2012:  10:50:50

What was the response from the Mandolin Store?

I'm thinking of ordering from them,but now I'm concerned.

They tout that they carefully inspect and set up all mandos before shipping.

Snowhere - Posted - 03/11/2012:  19:11:42

How about Weber? I was looking at upgrading to Weber's entry level A, which is still around $1500. I would rather support a USA made brand in general.

DannabisAx - Posted - 03/19/2012:  13:43:43

I've only heard scathing reviews of "The Loar" company and its mandolins.

Anyone know how they play?

JMalmsteen - Posted - 03/20/2012:  15:57:22

I played a really bad Loar mandolin. But, I have only played one. My Kentucky mandolin is great for the money, but once again, I have only played one. I played a protype from Gold Tone that was about $700 and it blew away my Kentucky. I played one that wasn't a protype and wasn't impressed. You really need to play the mandolin that you plan on purchasing. There will always be instruments that will blow you away and others that have quality issues.

Edited by - JMalmsteen on 03/20/2012 15:58:05

Hedgehog - Posted - 03/21/2012:  11:51:40

I've got a Loar LM-600, I knew it would need a decent set-up due to the fact that I got it as a second with finish flaws. The mandolin was exactly as advertised. After a bit of clean-up, a set-up guy set a couple high frets, put on a set of heavier strings on it, intoned it and I'm a very happy guy. The mandolin is great for me. I've played it against other far more expensive mandolins, honestly I came away more impressed with it than expected. It's popular to hate on the Loar right now and talk up the Kentucky Mandolins, I believe it all comes around in the end though.

citeog - Posted - 04/04/2012:  11:49:40

A used Collings MT can be sometimes had for less than $1500 (I believe there's one available on the Mandolin Cafe classifieds for $1350). If I didn't already have an MT, I'd jump on that myself. They are head and shoulders above all the imports.

Good luck.

Paul

citeog - Posted - 04/04/2012:  11:50:08

A used Collings MT can be sometimes had for less than $1500 (I believe there's one available on the Mandolin Cafe classifieds for $1350). If I didn't already have an MT, I'd jump on that myself. They are head and shoulders above all the imports.

Good luck.

Paul

citeog - Posted - 04/04/2012:  11:50:18

A used Collings MT can be sometimes had for less than $1500 (I believe there's one available on the Mandolin Cafe classifieds for $1350). If I didn't already have an MT, I'd jump on that myself. They are head and shoulders above all the imports.

Good luck.

Paul

NicGel - Posted - 05/25/2012:  20:29:24

I have a Loar LM700 mandolin bought from Folk Musician. I would recommend it
to anyone looking for a good sounding easy to play instrument.
While the finish is not absolutely perfect like a KM-1000, it has a lovely
open sound. I can make it sound like Dave Grisman's tone. It is nice and
warm over the full range. I played a KM-900 in a shop recently.
It sounded really tight and the nut was too narrow for my liking.

I go for the sound and playability along with sound construction. Big
Joe highly recommends them. I have even bought a second-hand LM-600
and had him set it up for me. When I get it, I will post a thread what I think
of the merits of both.

Cheers

Nic

NicGel - Posted - 06/23/2012:  05:40:55

Like Hedgehog I bought a second-hand LM-600 The Loar Mandolin. Joe Vest checked it over and finished it off. It looked like a new instrument when it got to me. I did have a LM-700 mandolin but I sent it back after I found the shape of the top meant that the bridge was not aligned square with the fingerboard. It did have a great sound though.

I am really happy with the LM-600 mandolin. It sounds and feels great. In fact, I have made more advances in two weeks with it than ten years of playing other mandolins. When playing along with instructional videos there is not much difference between it and the middle of the road higher end Gibson mandolins. I can hear a difference when I hear a 1923 Gibson Loar mandolin being played well. I am never going to that much for a mandolin. You are better off getting one's technique improved on a good quality lower cost mandolin than paying a lot for one. And don't be fooled into thinking that other people's mandolins sound a lot better than yours - that is one way to heading towards MAS and that can be expensive. Just get that technique happening!

Leopold Cat - Posted - 09/07/2012:  22:21:50

Have you checked out the gypsy music a styles, I've been looking at them alot online lately, they start at under 800 and seem to look and sound really nice. I've heard really good things about them.

Streetglide - Posted - 09/10/2013:  12:35:10

Old thread but what the hey... I bought a "The Loar" LM-400 about a month ago because a friend who plays mandolin was coming to the USA for a visit and I wanted to pick with him. It is a most decent mandolin for what it is. They cut a lot of corners, but where the rubber meets the road this is a very good sounding mandolin. There's no recurve to the top, looks like it was dipped in lacquer instead of finished in the substance and the neck is a 2X4. Tuners are incredibly stiff; stock bridge is tipping slightly. But it sounds excellent with a lot of subtlety to the tone depending on how you pick.

I just now purchased a used Kentucky KM-1000 Varnish over at the cafe. I'm looking froward to that as I prefer F-style mandos. But the Loar will make a good travel box until I go farther up the food chain in the future.

ErikForGod - Posted - 09/23/2013:  08:52:45

Check out some "A" model mandolins....especially from some builders.....