Sparky - Posted - 11/30/2013:  08:35:12

My husband, who plays a little guitar, has wanted a Mandolin for a  very long time, but he hates to spend money, so this year I'm getting him one for Christmas.  After a lot of reading, I thought the Kentucky KM-150 would be a good model for beginners as many say.  Last night I started looking at Mandos with oval holes, DH is definitely more of an old-timey type guy, so now I'm torn between the beginner model and one a little more pricy.  I also can't find much info about the oval holes other than they give an old timey sound.

Does anyone know, are the sounds going to be that different?  I've watched a few videos of each type (KM-150 and KM-174) and it's very hard to tell. 

Right now I'll be buying online, any recommendations about Music Factory Direct?  Their prices seem to be the cheapest, although they don't do set-up. 

Thanks, I'm sure you all get tired of newbie questions, but you will help me out a lot! 

Joe Mangio - Posted - 11/30/2013:  10:56:13

The 150 is an f hole style and the 174 is an oval hole, which would he prefer?

Either one will be a great starter. If a setup is not a concern, head on over to Musicians Friend.com

and take advantage of their 15% black friday discount  plus free shipping on either Mandolin. NFI

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Sparky - Posted - 11/30/2013:  19:26:35

Thanks.  I'm not sure which he would prefer and he might not know either, I guess.  I'm thinking he'll be thrilled with either, but I want to get it right.

Set up- I don't know.  If he can't manage it, we can probably take it into Knoxville and have someone there set it up. 

Thanks for MusiciansFriend.com, I hadn't seen their website.

TSSN - Posted - 11/30/2013:  22:22:26

I wouldn't worry about set up.  A good one need not  cost you a fortune.

I'm sure  he's going to be tickled just knowing that you  went to so much trouble for him.  

Sparky - Posted - 12/01/2013:  06:23:55

Did you mean a good set up need not cost a fortune or a Mando?

About set up, is it usually needed or can he play "out of the box"?  Kind of worried about setup, to tell the truth.

TSSN - Posted - 12/01/2013:  15:58:07

Hi.  I meant a set up need not be expensive.  I just had one done by a reputable luthier on a vintage guitar that included an issue with a bridge, an adjustment to the truss rod, all of which were designed to improve the action markedly.  That cost me $25.

He may be able to play it out of the box, but if a set up is needed, it won't be too pricey.

Rickson - Posted - 12/02/2013:  08:59:12

I have a Kentucky KM-172 model which is an oval hole A-style mandolin and it's great. Look at Mandolin Hut, they make sure the set-up is as good as good can be.

Sparky - Posted - 12/02/2013:  13:38:00

We went to the Mandolin Hut and the guy there played the KM-160s and 170s to show the difference between the regular hole and the round one.  Hubby had picked out the KM-171, then went into the back room while I paid- and found a used Savannah SF-200 that had been traded in that he liked very much... so we came home with that one.

We thought the guy at The Mandolin Hut was very nice and helpful.  They had an awful lot of Mandolins there, and tons of Banjos, and some guitars.

ErikForGod - Posted - 12/03/2013:  04:12:58

I'm home in the states for a few weeks and the other day at guitar center I played my first "The Loar" mandolin and I must say the Loar 590 F model with its $590 dollar price tag was appealing. It also sounded very good considering the price and was all solid carved graduated woods....I would recommend them to any beginner.

I do my own set-ups on the mandolin, always have. It's not difficult and even fitting a new bridge is easy. There are several you tube videos that teach how to set up mandolins, Aubrey Ratliff's video is one that comes to mind...

Edited by - ErikForGod on 12/03/2013 04:14:40