mandohenry - Posted - 08/12/2011:  09:26:05

Hello I'm looking to buy a new mandolin in the next couple weeks. I'm looking to spend between £350 and £450. So far I have found

Kentucky 505 for £360

Eastman 305 for £399

Gold Tone 55A for £355

If you know any other models you think would be better in this price range please post them. Any help is appreciated and if you are selling on of these new or used within th EU please contact me.

Regards 

mandovoodoo - Posted - 08/12/2011:  10:25:12

I like the Eastman MD305. 399 UK = $658 US. That is a lot of money. List is $495. I sell them at $397. Add 25% for a guess at whatever your customs does, $493. Shipping probably $70 tops, you're still at much less.

I had no idea the prices were that high in the UK.

The MD305 simply seems more crisp to me than the KM505, although the KM505 is very nice and warm sounding. I'm not familiar with the Goldtone. Doesn't usually show up in discussions here that I notice.

mandohenry - Posted - 08/12/2011:  10:34:14

Thank you for the feedback. Prices in the UK are in insane we normally pay about 50-75% more than the US. I have looked into buying from the US before but from what iv'e been told by other shops shipping would be $200 uninsured. tThen I worked out customs tax on a mandolin would be about $150 so by the end of it there's not much difference in price unfortunately.

mandovoodoo - Posted - 08/12/2011:  11:42:20

MD305 $397
Shipping $70 insured for $400 (I just checked)
Valuation for duty is $467

Commodity code 9202 basic duty rate is 3.2% = $14.94
VAT 20% = $93 (may be too high, might be on just $397, I don't know)
Excise tax - I don't believe it applies. Mainly cigarettes, alcohol.

$467 + 15 + 93 = $575

About my guess from before. I do end up shipping instruments to Europe regularly in spite of the import costs, and find the customers really like saving money. So there's some way that this works out reasonably well.

Have fun!

mandohenry - Posted - 08/12/2011:  11:53:40

Thank you for the info.
That's about £50 cheaper for me so I will definitely look into buying from you, I just have a couple questions.

If I buy from you does it include a hard case as well?
How long would delivery take?
Do you know how I would pay the VAT and other taxes?

mandovoodoo - Posted - 08/12/2011:  13:03:16

The MD305 comes with a gig bag. I have cases (or can get quickly)

Usually takes 7 to 14 days

I do not know how VAT and other charges are collected in Britain. Have never received anything there. Other UK citizens may have experience in the matter. I know the instruments get through, that's about it!

majorbanjo - Posted - 08/12/2011:  13:21:21

I highly recommend bying from Steve (mandovoodoo)...I've got a Loar LM 400 on the way to me in Germany from his shop...and I bought a fiddle from him a while back...the attention to set up he gives these instruments is worth the price of admission for sure; these instruments require a good set up to get to their potential; no one is better than steve perry at setting these instruements up to their potential........Good luck with your purchase.....Trey

mandohenry - Posted - 08/12/2011:  13:22:49

Ok that sounds good. Can I get it with a case as well and how would I pay you? Through ebay or your website etc.

mandohenry - Posted - 08/12/2011:  13:25:59

@majorbanjo Thanks for sharing; do you know how you pay tax when your instrument arrives?

majorbanjo - Posted - 08/12/2011:  13:31:46

I don't have to pay tax....mine come through an APO (Army Post Office) address.....I'm a US Military Lieutenant Colonel serving in Germany.......I emailed my credit card info directly to Steve fromthe contact information on his website..

giannaviolins.com/Information/...ctus.html


I don't know how secure this is....however I've always been a trusting sort of guy.....

Steve responded quickly and we closed the deal........

Good Luck.....Trey.....

The Doctor - Posted - 08/12/2011:  19:27:47

If you can get one there. I don't know what the mandolin market is like in the U.K. But I recommend the new Loars. I have a Loar LM-700 VS right now. And I LOVE it. But the Eastmans are REALLY cool too. So one of those two. I played an F2 model Eastman a couple months ago and I LOVED it!

mark - Posted - 08/13/2011:  03:22:05

I would consider used, more bang for the buck.

mandohenry - Posted - 08/13/2011:  05:51:10

Iv'e had a look at used in the UK but there isn't anything out there. I think i'm going to buy an Eastman from Mandovoodoo

majorbanjo - Posted - 08/16/2011:  10:15:43

Got my Loar LM-400 from Mandovoodoo today and it's amazing; I feel like I definitely made the right joice of mandolin and vendor; the set up was perfect and it sounds great!!! I had an LM520 for a while but this LM400 is hands down better by a good margin; although it might have to do with Steve's set up and the Cumberland Acoustic Bridge installed.....either way....I'm a very happy customer.....

mandorocker1 - Posted - 08/16/2011:  12:39:18

maybe the loar.
prices are good at elderly.com

mandohenry - Posted - 08/16/2011:  16:42:45

Well I have decided to go with Stephen and buy an Eastman 305 from him. Thank you everyone for your feedback!

mark - Posted - 08/17/2011:  08:26:36

Hope you love it.

Muscle Tone - Posted - 08/17/2011:  11:39:36

The Eastman 305 looks like a great mandolin. Once you've bought it come back and review it for all of us.

mandorocker1 - Posted - 08/17/2011:  13:28:30

totally a great looking mando

Stefano - Mideando - Posted - 09/07/2011:  03:06:10

in Europe, Cek Republic, there is one of teh best european mando liuthre, Eduard Kristufek of Krishot mandolins....superb and wonderful instrument at good price