cbbolling - Posted - 01/07/2011:  06:27:01

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I play some banjo and want to pick up the mandolin. What is a decent starter mandolin, I wanna play more old time then bluegrass. I'm looking for something that isn't a total waste of money but wont set me back to much money either. Suggestions?

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 01/07/2011:  06:59:25

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What's your price range? What ever you decide, keep in mind you typically can get more Mandolin for the money with an A-style, tho I personally prefer F's.

cbbolling - Posted - 01/07/2011:  10:08:00

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Idk what do i need to spend to get a decent one? and what is the difference between a's and f''s? I was told a's are better suited for old time but I have no idea.

paire-berline - Posted - 01/07/2011:  10:19:29

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For an oldtime starter try to find a round hole flatback such as Big Muddy( formerly Mid-Missouri) or a Weber flatback. If possible get a used one for under $500 with all solid tone woods. Check out Mandolin Cafe classifieds.

TSSN - Posted - 01/07/2011:  13:20:56

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I look back on my first one, which I got for $95 used at the local music shop. It was a dinky, plywood, imported POS, but it was a great beater to learn on. AND it served it's purpose. I determined if I was any good at it, and whether I was going to stick with it. Eight years later, I'm now on my third.

The temptation is always there to go whole hog. I like what paire-berline has to say, but I would even go well under $500. Unless you're *sure* you're going to do this for a while, start out humble. If you do stick with it, there will always be another mandolin that pleases your ear just a little more. ;^>

kmangelos - Posted - 01/07/2011:  14:40:28

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I second the advice above, find an old used a-style weber, flatiron, epiphone for $500 or less and start playing. Jam with as many folks as you can. Pick up an old Craig Duncan fiddle book and learn all the songs you can.

mandolinman31639 - Posted - 01/07/2011:  16:51:43

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The savanah 200 F-model is solid wood and is supposed to soud decent Instrument Alley has the for about $300.00

dmiller - Posted - 01/07/2011:  23:15:47

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You can't (repeat - - - you CAN NOT) go wrong with a Kentucky mandolin.
I've had two (over the years), and both were great for either old time or bluegrass.
The price is miniscule for the instrument you get. Good quality and workmanship.
Solid wood/ good tone/ easy to pick/ and "easy on the wallet" as well.
Here's a link - - - - make sure you hit the mp3 there to hear what it sounds like.

themandolinstore.com/scripts/p...duct=8525

(edited to add - - - -) they have other models besides this one that are just as good,
and priced in the same range. The F models cost more, but the A's sound good enough (imo).

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Edited by - dmiller on 01/07/2011 23:19:26

Pick One - Posted - 01/08/2011:  02:03:14

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Make sure you buy one with an adjustable truss rod. I have cheap import that is very hard to play because of a warped neck. A truss rod could have been adjusted early on and prevented this.

Jerry Schoenborn - Posted - 01/08/2011:  06:49:14

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I bought an A style electric off of ebay for under $100 shipped to me. I'm sure it has a plywood body hence the volume accoustically is not the loudest. Sounds great through amp or P.A. Fit and finish is very nice. I bought mine used so it had been set up by someone and plays nicely. Go on to ebay and type in "New York Pro mandolin"---- (I know). Really though, a nice starter instrument that is affordable.

WildBillNECPS - Posted - 01/08/2011:  08:10:41

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You might want to keep an eye on the BHO classifieds. That's where I picked up my used, but looks like new , beautiful Kentucky KM 675. It was about 500 bucks.

I had started on an old bowlback that I snagged for $30 at an auction. A great little instrument to start learning on and it got me hooked, but was a little difficult to play and the fretboard steps were somewhat off.

TSSN - Posted - 01/08/2011:  12:47:43

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quote:

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Originally posted by kmangelos

I second the advice above, find an old used a-style weber, flatiron, epiphone for $500 or less and start playing. Jam with as many folks as you can. Pick up an old Craig Duncan fiddle book and learn all the songs you can.

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Oh yeah. I'll second that Craig Duncan fiddle book suggestion. Try Alibris.

Steven Shostal - Posted - 01/08/2011:  13:08:14

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quote:

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Originally posted by cbbolling

I play some banjo and want to pick up the mandolin. What is a decent starter mandolin, I wanna play more old time then bluegrass. I'm looking for something that isn't a total waste of money but wont set me back to much money either. Suggestions?

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I was in your position. I play old-time and Irish fiddle tunes. Go for the A-style. More value for the money as it is a simpler shape than the F-style. No sound difference as far as I'm concerned. I went and ordered an Eastman. Check their website. eastmanmandolins.com/products....mandolins. The order ended up getting screwed up and it never arrived at the retail outlet after a month of waiting and in a fit of depression I bought a Collings MT-O from them. No regrets as I love this mando, but I would still recommend an Eastman. The Eastmans I've since seen and played are very good for their price. Just one opinion.

un5trung - Posted - 01/08/2011:  16:56:13

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A-style are a better buy than F -- in the latter one is just paying for the appointments, not the sound.

Used instruments are a better buy than new. While instruments bought online are generally cheaper (less overhead than a store) they are also a riskier buy. Are you getting what is advertised, is the neck straight, etc. Stores are more expensive buy you know what you are getting.

No matter where you eventually buy from try to go to a store with a big selection so you can compare various instruments.

Some brands are considered inferior to others, but that doesn't matter. First, general wisdom isn't always right, and second, it's just your first mandolin. If you keep playing you'll trade up, and by that time you'll know better what you want.

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Edited by - un5trung on 01/11/2011 13:49:43

fairportmando - Posted - 01/11/2011:  12:01:57

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The first mando I had was a plywood import, which was OK for awhile. My second was a Martin style A which are sold all the time on eBay for under $500. They are great for old-time music.

buddhuu - Posted - 01/11/2011:  16:11:36

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For a budget old time mando I doubt you'll beat the value of a Kentucky KM-172 or KM-174 (same mando just different colours).

It's an oval hole A style. Check out the soundclip and pics here: themandolinstore.com/scripts/p...duct=7508

I had one recently but sold it to fund a more expensive bluegrass axe. I kind of miss it already. They are a real bargain.

Edit to add: if you buy a budget mandolin, buy it from a decent specialist shop who include a set-up in the price. Chinese mandolins are fine these days, but out of the box they are in TRAGIC need of a set-up. Once set properly they play and sound great.

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Edited by - buddhuu on 01/11/2011 16:13:41

mandovoodoo - Posted - 01/11/2011:  19:43:49

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Low-end thin mandolins have been known to collapse. Including one of the brands mentioned above.

I wouldn't lump all Chinese mandolins together any more than I'd lump all Chinese violins or European violins together.

None of the inexpensive mandolins sound great. They often sound surprisingly adequate, but never great. Great costs a good deal in the mandolin world.

Relatively inexpensive mandolins offering surprising performance include:

Kentucky KM505
Eastman MD305 & MD505
Loar LM400

Some others hand in there, too, but those are the ones that seem to consistently rise up in folks' reviews. I've had them all through the shop and with decent setup they do rather well. I have a favorite, but who doesn't?

PD Kirby - Posted - 02/06/2011:  03:00:34

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I would consider the Loar LM400VS best Mandolin under $500.00 and mine sounds GREAT and plays like butter. IMHO

mandovoodoo - Posted - 02/06/2011:  04:07:55

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I doubt that any LM400 sounds great on an absolute scale. I heard a couple of great mandolins Friday at the SPBGMA convention in Nashville. They were not anywhere close to $400. A good deal over $4000, in fact.

Problem with price and performance scales that have a nebulous and distant top end.

Fortunately, few really need or can afford great mandolins. By the time the thing gets played next to a banjo and through a mike, much of the extra goodness disappears!

mandolinman31639 - Posted - 02/16/2011:  21:47:42

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I have a Kentucky 380
forsale in classifieds good condition price neg

mandovoodoo - Posted - 02/17/2011:  04:47:12

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Another option is the LM220VS Loar. They're very forgiving and quite nice to play. Not as good as an LM400, MD305 and so on, but very inexpensive.

JBovier - Posted - 02/21/2011:  11:25:45

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Take a look at the new JBovier models for 2011:
jazzmando.com/new/archives/001481.shtml

Also keep an eye on the "JBovier Custom Shop" (mandolins.ecrater.com) for models and features not available at JBovier dealers.

Ben Venuti - Posted - 02/24/2011:  12:55:36

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If you follow ebay you may notice some really great deals these days on vintage Gibson A models. A jrs, and plain A models a little scuffed sometimes as low as $500. A-40's and 50's sometimes at good prices. It's true that the higher grade mandolins such as A-2's and A-4's can bring bigger prices but even these seem to be selling for less than a year ago. The higher grade models don't necessarily sound better than their bargain cousins. You can play any type of music with an A model, they look good,smell good and have stood the test of time.

un5trung - Posted - 02/24/2011:  13:58:41

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Great point Ben. There's nothing wrong with starting out with new mandolins priced for that purpose, but if you can get a fine vintage instrumemt, and a piece of history to boot, go for it. The only caution I'd offer is that not that glitters on eBay is really gold. I see outright lies on eBay all the time, and one should buy with care.

Gerry Cassidy - Posted - 02/24/2011:  14:17:50

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quote:

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Originally posted by un5trung

Great point Ben. There's nothing wrong with starting out with new mandolins priced for that purpose, but if you can get a fine vintage instrumemt, and a piece of history to boot, go for it. The only caution I'd offer is that not that glitters on eBay is really gold. I see outright lies on eBay all the time, and one should buy with care.

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