Mandomuppet - Posted - 03/07/2011:  18:40:39

Hello all, I am thinking of buying a mandolin from The Mandlin hut online and was wondering if anyone had dealt with them before or had other recommendations.

Cheers Bruce

Brown Akers - Posted - 03/07/2011:  19:36:53

I have done business with Dennis and his crew @ The Mandolin Store in Arizona, as well as Stan and his folks @ Elderly's in Michigan and would recommend both companies without reservation. I have also purchased 3 mandolins from the Mandolin Hut when I started playing - are you purchasing to ship to Australia? I would go for the Eastman's or higher end Kentucky's rather than a lower end starter package from the hut for sure, but they do sell The Loar line of mandolins at the hut and they have had some fine reviews lately .....what's your price range? A style or F? What about the shipping situation? Dennis has some great deals on used mandolins alot (he'll take returns on mandolins he's sold for customers who want to upgrade, etc...) I can tell you to try and purchase the best mando you can reasonably afford because you'll keep looking around yes, you will - is the loar what your looking at @ the hut?

mandovoodoo - Posted - 03/08/2011:  03:15:24

Australia is no trouble. I've shipped lots of mandolins (Eastman and Loar) to Australia and a surprising number of guitars.

If you're getting an inexpensive instrument, "The Loar" models seem to be winning at the moment. LM-400 I'm very impressed with - the one I have now is really nice.

Have fun!

Mandomuppet - Posted - 03/08/2011:  04:47:37

Thanks for the reply guys, I was looking at the Loar lm400 or the Kentucky km505, It looks like the loar is in stock and the kentucky Isnt, so probably be ordering a loar. The Eastmans look nice too but are a bit pricier. I only found the Mandohangout 3 days ago, what a great place, thanks for having me.

Cheers bruce

Edited by - Mandomuppet on 03/08/2011 05:17:40

mandoray - Posted - 03/08/2011:  07:00:07

I bought my mandolin from them back in the summer. I bought a kentucky 150 since money was tight and I wasn't sure if I was going to like playing an instrument. I would rate the overall experience as average and I don't think I would buy my next from an online store.

Feel free to email if you want more details.

Ray

Mandomuppet - Posted - 03/08/2011:  15:51:29

Thanks Ray, pm sent.

South Hills - Posted - 03/14/2011:  05:20:55

I have purchased instruments on-line through Elderly's, First Quality, and Janet Davis and would recommend all three. Although I have never dealt with the Mandolin Hut, I have heard good things about them. I prefer to play before I buy, but sometimes that is difficult, depending what is available within a reasonable drive. Good luck shopping!

mandovoodoo - Posted - 03/14/2011:  06:10:24

As to playing, one can always get an instrument sent with return option or on approval. We do that regularly.

Mandomuppet - Posted - 03/21/2011:  06:06:35

My new mandolin arrived today, The Loar lm400. I ended up buying from Mandovoodoo and am very happy with the service and the shipping. A big thankyou to Stephen and Gianna.

Cheers, Bruce.

Mandolin Ant - Posted - 03/21/2011:  08:25:03

Enjoy Bruce. I'm sure you'll have a ball!