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bjohio - Posted - 12/04/2013: 15:47:30
I know these types of questions get asked a lot but I could use some experienced advice. After spending sometime at Elderly Instruments and playing quite a few mandolins, I've narrowed down my mandolin choices down to two in my price range - the Kentucky KM-650 and the Eastman MD315. Since I'm a complete beginner (but an experienced guitar and banjo player), it was hard for me to evaluate them objectively. I did notice that the Kentucky was a tad brighter sounding than the Eastman. Both instruments have very similar specs. The Elderly staff felt that Eastman was probably a better value between the two. I know that I could probably get a better quality A-style for the money, but I love the looks of an F-style. 
Any options or advice would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!
UsuallyPickin - Posted - 12/06/2013: 06:23:29
FInding the right instrument for your skill level involves playability , personal preference in volume ie. projection, tonal preferences feel, cost, and finally look. Play all the mandolins in your price range , select the few that you like, done, and have a mandolinist play them with you listeneng from the front. Check into a tone guard , they are worth it. Play and listen to mandolins you can't afford so you know what you are getting and not getting. MAS is real..... Enjoy an instrument tuned in fifths......... it's a whole 'nother world..... R/
ErikForGod - Posted - 12/07/2013: 03:29:00
I played a Loar 520 F model recently at Guitar Center.....the price tag was only $569 and I thought it was worth every penny for that price, didn't have a bad sound at all and was comfortable to play. It was the first time I had played any of these mandolins and I thought it was pretty good for the price...much much better than my first mandolin.
bjohio - Posted - 12/07/2013: 03:39:03
They also had a Loar LM-500 that I tried. It was a nice instrument for the price for sure. However, the larger fret wire bothered me when trying to play higher up on the neck. The chunkier neck also had quite a different feel that the other mandos.
ErikForGod - Posted - 12/10/2013: 08:31:26
quote:
Originally posted by bjohio
They also had a Loar LM-500 that I tried. It was a nice instrument for the price for sure. However, the larger fret wire bothered me when trying to play higher up on the neck. The chunkier neck also had quite a different feel that the other mandos.
Hmmm....it didn't strike me as having a very chunky neck or at least I didn't think much about it. Some folks like the chunkier necks as opposed to thinner ones so you'll have to try out different ones. I thought the mandolin was superb for the price although I don't know how it would hold up as a professional mandolin. I mean, I guess it would be ok for a very small group, however for someone looking for a loud jam mandolin banjo killer type tone and volume, they'd be pretty dissapointed but then again, some folks have too much expectation for U$S500 dollars.
Edited by - ErikForGod on 12/10/2013 08:32:30
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