eweaver - Posted - 12/08/2013:  16:04:46

I currently play an inexpensive mandolin with a pickup in the church band.  I'm looking to upgrade and I'm willing to spend around $1500. I can go a little higher if the definitive choice is a little out of that range.  My requirements are as follows and would appreciate your suggestions:

- Traditional mandolin style - unlike the Ovations

- Sounds great as an acoustic instrument

-Sounds great plugged in

- Aesthetically pleasing to the eye - "ivory" inlays etc.

Any guidance on brands and models is appreciated.  I'm an intermediate player and hope to sort on improving my improvisational skills (blue grass, folk).  I'm primarily an acoustic guitar player now.

Thanks,

Eric Weaver

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 12/09/2013:  05:18:45

Well ... I would recommend you buy a good Kentucky or Eastman F or A model mandolin and equip it with a K & K internally mounted pickup. THen run that signal through a good quality preamp into the soundboard. You can find good deals on quality used Asian built mandolins if you want to save yourself a few Benjamins. Tonebone, LR Baggs and Fishman preamps are all quality preamps that you can research online. Check the classifides here and on Mandolin Cafe. You can bring the entire purchase in at around the 1500.00$ mark you are suggesting if you aren't in a hurry and can shop around a bit. Luck.... R/

ErikForGod - Posted - 12/10/2013:  09:00:49

I agree any acoustic mandolin can be fitted with great pick-ups or active electronics....or better yet, just get a great condensor mic

eweaver - Posted - 12/10/2013:  11:55:03

Thanks for the replies.  I've been researching the Eastman and Kentucky mandos in this price range.  It appears that the Kentucky's are now made in China which is a bit of a turn-off.  Do you have opinions about the Breedloves?  Specifically the FF VTG mandolin looks beautiful and the reviews seem to indicate it is a great mandolin with good sound.  I found one that has a pickup installed and wandered if the mandolin experts here had an opinion.

breedlovemusic.com/mandolins/a...olins/ff1

Eric

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 12/13/2013:  06:44:37

I haven't played that Breedlove but Breedlove in general receives high marks when discussed. Kentucky mandolins moved from Japan to Korea to China over the decades. They really do have the best production value of the mid price mandolins IMO. And are the most respected of the currently produced Chinese mandolins with the exception of Northfield mandolins which are in a higher price bracket. Insofar as American made keep your eyes open for a pre 2000 Flatiron....1983 -.1993 are even better. You can find a very high quality "A" model within your price range an "F" would be higher...... R/

This is an 80's model and worth a look..... R/ mandolincafe.com/ads/71595

Luck... R/

Loarcutus - Posted - 12/13/2013:  12:29:30

The Eastman 600 series (about $1200 for the F model, $800 for the A model) would probably do it for you; comes with an internal pickup, and Eastmans have a broad tonal range that usually is good for most genres...my MD 515 is a "whomper"...

Nick

Claughaun - Posted - 12/15/2013:  15:57:56

Rigel A+ Deluxe - totally underrated mandolin, great plugged or unplugged. Gerry O'Connor played a Rigel A+ on Black Lung Heartache for Joe Bonnamasso's Hammersmith Palladium performance. The Rigel A+ is a one piece Maple back and sides body with a fitted Spruce top.  Comes in a F-hole or Oval hole.  Can usually be got used for the low teens.

youtube.com/watch?v=3dTEyNRPyuQ

Edited by - Claughaun on 12/15/2013 16:04:24