Pop838 - Posted - 05/09/2014:  07:35:23

I am looking to buy an amplified mando for a variety of reasons, but I need help in deciding solid body or acoustic electric and coil style pickup or piezo. Could I have your thoughts, please. I am not a professional musician but do perform out some.

Thanks,

David

SteveZ - Posted - 05/09/2014:  09:44:29

a.  Additional questions are spawned by Post #1:

b.  What kind of amp will be involved?

c.  How big a space needs to be sound-filled?

d.  What other instruments will be competing to be heard?

e.  What genre will be involved?

f.  How large is the amplification budget?

The answers to these question will greatly assist in narrowing down the field of possible choices.  There will most likely be trade-offs based on budget, performance and compatibility with existing gear.

Pop838 - Posted - 05/09/2014:  15:49:10

Thanks for the reply, Steve. Answers as follows, generally speaking.

b. My amp is a 25 watt Fender model 25R.

c. Typical venue about 10000 cu ft (1000 sq ft, 10' ceiling) or smaller

d. Other instruments are the usual suspects: acoustic or amplified guitar, banjo, amplified dobro, fiddle, accordion occasionally

e. Country, bluegrass mostly

f. Looking at moderately priced equipment: solid body or semi-hollow body such as Fender offers. $500 range

mandoteacher - Posted - 05/09/2014:  16:17:42

I have a Kentucky electric mandolin. I love it!

SteveZ - Posted - 05/09/2014:  16:45:04

I had an Epiphone MandoBird VIII electric hard-body which could handle that size amp and hold its own against anything short of a full philharmonic orchestra.  The MandoBirds come in both 4-string and 8-string models.  MandoBirds can be found between $200-400 and the better ones have been equipped with an Almuse pickup which does make a big performance difference.

Suggest you check out EMando.com as it's probably the most comprehensive place for electric mandolin information and classifieds.  

Pop838 - Posted - 05/09/2014:  19:12:21

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the feedback. Any one else feel free to add your comments.

David

TSSN - Posted - 05/10/2014:  03:47:28

If you run across a Gretsch Park Avenue, give it a whirl.  I have yet to find one and try one out, so I can't offer any details, but if you could I'd love to hear about it.

Ben Venuti - Posted - 05/10/2014:  19:02:51

Fender has issued a mandolin --4 or 8 string versions called a "mandostrat" me thinks. Much like their old mandocaster from the Leo Fender days. They are very inexpensive, like brand new for about $200.. You probably want something like that with a coil type pickup with your amplifier. K and K makes really nice pickups for acoustic instruments but you would need a preamp for your amplifier or an acoustic amp. I'd go for the 4 string if I was going for a solid bodied mandolin. You don't need the double strings as your going to be able to get the sustain elsewhere.

Edited by - Ben Venuti on 05/10/2014 19:03:43