6263rcw - Posted - 03/26/2018:  19:37:58

I just decided to start learning to play mandolin and know nothing about 'em. I'm retired and only have about $200 to spent.

Are there any mandolins at this price that are OK to start learning on? If so, what would you recommend.

Thanks a bunch!

Bob

MandoTom2 - Posted - 03/26/2018:  23:04:30

Less than 2 years ago, I spent about $179 on a Tanglewood mandolin and have been perfectly happy with it... I bought the black one on the left and a friend bought the wine-colored one on the right... Both of us have been happy... BTW: She bought hers from a pawn shop for $120...

Tanglewood Mandolins - Click Here...

MandoTom2 - Posted - 03/26/2018:  23:07:27

Also, check out Savannah mandolins... The store I teach at carries them... Decent instruments at excellent prices...



Savannah Mandolin Prices - Click Here...

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/27/2018:  04:52:34

You might also check out the classifieds on the Banjohangout. Sometimes a nice, used mandolin will be on sale in your price range.

My suggestion: save up some more money and get a fairly decent mandolin. It will be easier to tune, easier to pick and sound better than a cheapie model.

6263rcw - Posted - 03/27/2018:  07:26:12

Thanks all for the advice and quick responded.

MandoTom2 - Posted - 03/28/2018:  11:54:30

I'd stay away from 'Rogue' mandolins...

However, the ones I mentioned above are outstanding...

I play my black Tanglewood mandolin every day...

MandoTom2

aallee - Posted - 04/02/2018:  21:08:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by MandoTom2

Also, check out Savannah mandolins... The store I teach at carries them... Decent instruments at excellent prices...



Savannah Mandolin Prices - Click Here...

---

I bought a savannah at guitar center back in December but it is missing the cover for the tail piece, Does the Store you work at carry just the cover? I have tried to put another cover from a different brand but it doesnt fit right, the size is slightly bigger than the cover I was given.

MandoTom2 - Posted - 04/02/2018:  22:14:48

The store I teach at carries Savannah mandolins also...

And I like them...

Unfortunately, it would be very unusual for a store to only have the cover for the tailpiece...

I, however, still have an entire tailpiece (cover included), from the Tanglewood mandolin as I decided to upgrade the tailpiece...

The tailpiece was silver or chrome...

If you are interested, you could contact me via p.m. and I would be happy to give it to you.

I could mail it to your music store's address with "ATTN: ______"...

I would guess it would be there in less than a week...

You could use just the cover as you see fit for yours.

Let me know at your leisure...

No charge... It's just a part sitting around in my parts drawer at the music store...

PS: These tailpieces are usually the same size as they are diecast from sheet metal. Usually, there is a little 'fitting' required, i.e., using a pliers or small vice grips to bend the edges of the tailpiece cover in question to the old tailpiece base... I'd bet money yours could be made to fit...

Tom

Edited by - MandoTom2 on 04/02/2018 22:21:10

MandoTom2 - Posted - 04/02/2018:  22:22:43

PS: If you decide to take the free tailpiece I just offered, you could have someone you trust just replace the old with the new, thereby not having to 're-fit' the new cover... It would already fit the tailpiece base it came on...

Just a thought...

Tom

aallee - Posted - 04/03/2018:  17:57:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by MandoTom2

The store I teach at carries Savannah mandolins also...

And I like them...

Unfortunately, it would be very unusual for a store to only have the cover for the tailpiece...

I, however, still have an entire tailpiece (cover included), from the Tanglewood mandolin as I decided to upgrade the tailpiece...

The tailpiece was silver or chrome...

If you are interested, you could contact me via p.m. and I would be happy to give it to you.

I could mail it to your music store's address with "ATTN: ______"...

I would guess it would be there in less than a week...

You could use just the cover as you see fit for yours.

Let me know at your leisure...

No charge... It's just a part sitting around in my parts drawer at the music store...

PS: These tailpieces are usually the same size as they are diecast from sheet metal. Usually, there is a little 'fitting' required, i.e., using a pliers or small vice grips to bend the edges of the tailpiece cover in question to the old tailpiece base... I'd bet money yours could be made to fit...

Tom

 

 

---

Tom,

Let me try and make it fit and see. My luthier friend tried bending it with some pliars but still having issues with it falling off. I'll let you know what I find out.

MandoTom2 - Posted - 04/05/2018:  03:29:09