Bruce G - Posted - 12/02/2011:  13:08:03

I would like to buy my wife a new Mandolin for Christmas. She has been learning to play for about four weeks now on a borrowed Mandolin. Any advice on a decent one for under 500.00 to get her started?  

dmiller - Posted - 12/02/2011:  22:16:50

mandohangout.com/classified/3601

Kentucky's are great mandos.  Intermediate mando at a beginner price.  

mandolinman31639 - Posted - 12/03/2011:  03:08:39

Kentucky's would be my choice Loars sound good but the necks are a bit thick

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 12/03/2011:  06:00:15

If not brand new is required I'd check out the used mandolins on Mandolin Cafe as well as this site... Ebay can be good as well but buyer beware .....

Reply to Ad #52552

The above ad is for a used Kentucky "A" all solid wood mando w/ case 235.00$ .. good luck.. R/

Ben Venuti - Posted - 12/04/2011:  10:13:25

My experience with mandolins in that range is limited to noodling mandolins that I stumble on in music stores. I would have to go along with the recommendations for the Kentucky. They seem to be the best sounding,most playable and most consistently so, even the ones that are well below the $500 price. Find a dealer with a good reputation and sets them up. At that price I'd buy new and shiny,why give that up for a few bucks savings -forget CL or ebay or a classifieds crap shoot-find a dealer that will get it to you ,or better, if you have access buy it face to face from a dealer.
If you know what your doing and have the time there are great deals on vintage A model Gibsons. You might come up with a nice one for not much more than your target price. A mandolin that good made new today would cost you $2000 +.but it's probably too close to Christmas to pull it off, i think the deal is out there but it might take a few weeks to find the right one. Maybe next Christmas----

TI_USER - Posted - 12/06/2011:  11:11:39

Check this out! 

The Kentucky KM 505 is a very highly regarded starter mandolin.  It is the point in Kentucky's line where they start to get serious about the build and sound quality.  I have not heard a bad word about them from users.

janetdavismusic.com/kmand.html

You'll have to scroll down to get to the 505 listing.

Edited by - TI_USER on 12/06/2011 11:14:07