GeoffL - Posted - 01/27/2019:  12:03:27

I'm primarily a fiddler but double on mando in the hobby bands I play in. Genre is "Bluegrass Fusion" -- basically, we'll play anything we can get our heads around but with (typically) banjo and fiddle or banjo and mando in the lineup, it's going to sound Bluegrass-ish!



Current mando is a 1980s Harmony A-style with F holes. I've had to replace the tuning machines and the nut. I didn't do too good a job on the nut and so I need to redo that -- thankfully the mando's got a zero fret and so it's currently playable. Pickup is a cheap piezo. Sound's pretty good but the jack socket is held on with a bit of velcro, which is a PITA. So I'm thinking of 'upgrading' and can think of three routes:

1. Replace the nut on the Harmony and fit a half-decent, internal piezo pickup (e.g. JJB's Prestige 220.


2. Buy a cheap 'entry-level' mando (e.g. Redwood M1 and fit a Prestige 220 or similar pickup.


3. Buy an entry level accoustic/electric (I'm thinking of an Ozark 2077).

Cheapest way is to sort out the Harmony -- but I'd be mando-less if that went pear-shaped. FWIW, I've tried a Redwood M20E, which is an accoustic/electric mando a level or two above the M1. That played pretty well for the price, but there were problems with the electrics and I had to return it. So getting an acoustic and fitting an after-market pickup gets around this. The Ozark is an unknown entity for me, but it's favourite ATM as it should be OK out of the box and I'd still have the Harmony as a spare.

So, what does the panel advise? Please bear in mind that I'm in UK and have a maximum budget of £200.

Thanks for looking, Geoff

MandoTom2 - Posted - 01/28/2019:  04:18:07

I don't know what is available in England or Great Britain...

I have found Oscar Schmidt instruments, i.e., guitars and banjos, specifically to be excellent instruments and excellent instruments for the price... They are in the budget category, but still outstandingly nice. Well set-up straight out of the box or adjust to your tastes...

The electronics are also excellent...

Hope this helps...

Tom

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 01/28/2019:  06:25:00

theacousticmusicco.co.uk/about-tamco-.html    Here is a good place to look about. Save up some money and buy and Eastman or Kentucky mandolin then add a K&K pickup. Even their less expensive models are worth playing. You will be much happier with a better quality instrument in the long run. Short term have the transducer permanently mounted with a phone jack...… The set of gauged files needed to do a pro job on your nut is more expensive than having a luthier fix your nut ….. just sayin'