I am interested in purchasing a mandolin, and was wondering if anyone had any advice for me regarding prices, good links to stores and anything else you feel might be useful. Thanks
I think Lark in the Morning is a good place to start. Their online catalog is very informative and they offer a wide variety of instruments in different price ranges, as well as lots of learning material.
I've personally tried three different approaches: No thought at all and taking what I've been given (free); going to a store and trying everything in sight and leaving with the mandolin I liked the sound of best ($400 to $600); investigating over a period of years what I wanted and where I wanted to purchase it from ($2000).
I have thoroughly enjoyed all three mandolins.
I wonder if I would appreciate the expensive mandolin #3 had I not spent years practicing away on mandolins 1 and 2. I do know that now that I play mandolin #3, picking up mandolins 1 and 2 to play tunes seldom happens.
This will tempt you: http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/a.html
If I was buying another one now, I'd get a loud flat-top. If you're not buying one that's made of solid tone woods, get a really cheap one and start saving up!
A-style mandolins tend to be cheaper than F-style for the same quality instrument and tone. One of the best values that I know of in mandolins is the Mid-Missouri brand. They are hand-made in Missouri, they sound great, and you can get one new in the $400 - $500 range. I had the good fortune to buy one used (and it was like new) for $300 and have been very happy with it. I have gotten several compliments on it at music festivals. It is fairly loud and has a nice tone.
If you do want an F-style, I have been pretty pleased with my Michael Kelly Dragonfly and I would recommend having a look at some Michael Kelly instruments.
I'll strongly second the suggestion of using the Mandolin.Org/UK and the Mandolin Cafe websites for research. I've not been to the UK one, but there are folks from all over the world at the Cafe and they are very helpful with these sorts of inquiries, -and- there is a wealth of information there about mandolins.
I can't be quite so enthusiastic about the Lark in the Morning sales. I've been asked to repair or sell a number of disappointed first-timers' instruments bought from there. but if you buy something very inexpensive there with low expectations, it can be an ok way to get an introduction to the instrument.
As a wild (reckless?) generalization, people who play Irish on mandolin tend to play A style mandolins with an oval hole. (Do some searching on this site, and you should find explanations for that, I know I one on here a while ago...)
I strongly recommend buying a mandolin only after you've had a chance to play it and compare it side by side with other mandolins. However, if you're buying online, see if the merchant will give you a 1 week return policy or something, so that you get a chance to play it before you make the final decision.
The mandolin I play at the moment is an Eastman F-style with an oval hole. It's a fairly nice, hand-carved (in China) instrument, but it won't stand up to a vintage Gibson or something that wouldn't have cost much more.
I also have started playing with making my own mandolin bridges, and the bridge can make a HUGE difference in the sound of an instrument. I prefer a solid bridge over the adjustable ones that you'll find on most mandolins these days.
The Folk of the Wood website http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm has videos of people playing different types of mandolins. Of course, the sound isn't quite the same when heard over computer speakers, but I was surprised how well you can compare the difference in sound between various models and makers.
My darling mandolin and I have been together for a year now, and when I was shopping, I went through the torment of deciding on a body style. As Reverend Pete says, the flat-top A-style with oval soundhole is more common among Irish session mandolin players.
Finally, I decided on the Weber Hyalite, an A-style instrument with f-holes. Go figure! The sound is generally brighter and louder than the models that I tried with oval soundholes. It blends into a session just fine, but is a little louder and brighter, which is great for playing with a band. (although it still doesn't stand a chance to be heard against the fiddle).
Also in the UK: Hobgoblin Music in London (off Oxford Street) has a good range and helpful staff.
I bought a Paul Hathway (http://www.paulhathway.com/) M3 mando from them, an A-style, which I am very very happy with.
A lot will depend on where you are, and how much you want to spend.
In the UK, £100-150 will get you a very reasonable imported mandolin from Asia with a laminated wood top. About £500 gets you a much better hand-made instrument with solid wood top. Money no object, then you can spend as much as you like.
mandolin advice
mandolin advice
I am interested in purchasing a mandolin, and was wondering if anyone had any advice for me regarding prices, good links to stores and anything else you feel might be useful. Thanks
# Posted on October 11th 2006 by aharte
Re: mandolin advice
A lot depends on where you live. If in North America, there are plenty of sources, if in GB/ireland, a lot fewer places to go.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by mikeyes
Re: mandolin advice
Aharte, if you are in the UK, then you should try this site for information & you could also join their Forum & ask for advice there:
http://www.mandolin.org.uk/makers/index.php
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by Ptarmigan
Re: mandolin advice
I think Lark in the Morning is a good place to start. Their online catalog is very informative and they offer a wide variety of instruments in different price ranges, as well as lots of learning material.
http://www.larkinthemorning.com
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by Dave McGrath
Re: mandolin advice
I've personally tried three different approaches: No thought at all and taking what I've been given (free); going to a store and trying everything in sight and leaving with the mandolin I liked the sound of best ($400 to $600); investigating over a period of years what I wanted and where I wanted to purchase it from ($2000).
I have thoroughly enjoyed all three mandolins.
I wonder if I would appreciate the expensive mandolin #3 had I not spent years practicing away on mandolins 1 and 2. I do know that now that I play mandolin #3, picking up mandolins 1 and 2 to play tunes seldom happens.
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by abuteague
Re: mandolin advice
This will tempt you:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/archives/builders/a.html
If I was buying another one now, I'd get a loud flat-top. If you're not buying one that's made of solid tone woods, get a really cheap one and start saving up!
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by RichardB
Re: mandolin advice
A-style mandolins tend to be cheaper than F-style for the same quality instrument and tone. One of the best values that I know of in mandolins is the Mid-Missouri brand. They are hand-made in Missouri, they sound great, and you can get one new in the $400 - $500 range. I had the good fortune to buy one used (and it was like new) for $300 and have been very happy with it. I have gotten several compliments on it at music festivals. It is fairly loud and has a nice tone.
If you do want an F-style, I have been pretty pleased with my Michael Kelly Dragonfly and I would recommend having a look at some Michael Kelly instruments.
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by timmy!
Re: mandolin advice
I'll strongly second the suggestion of using the Mandolin.Org/UK and the Mandolin Cafe websites for research. I've not been to the UK one, but there are folks from all over the world at the Cafe and they are very helpful with these sorts of inquiries, -and- there is a wealth of information there about mandolins.
I can't be quite so enthusiastic about the Lark in the Morning sales. I've been asked to repair or sell a number of disappointed first-timers' instruments bought from there. but if you buy something very inexpensive there with low expectations, it can be an ok way to get an introduction to the instrument.
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on October 12th 2006 by stv culchie
Re: mandolin advice
Try Ozark, about $100.
# Posted on October 13th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: mandolin advice
As a wild (reckless?) generalization, people who play Irish on mandolin tend to play A style mandolins with an oval hole. (Do some searching on this site, and you should find explanations for that, I know I one on here a while ago...)
I strongly recommend buying a mandolin only after you've had a chance to play it and compare it side by side with other mandolins. However, if you're buying online, see if the merchant will give you a 1 week return policy or something, so that you get a chance to play it before you make the final decision.
The mandolin I play at the moment is an Eastman F-style with an oval hole. It's a fairly nice, hand-carved (in China) instrument, but it won't stand up to a vintage Gibson or something that wouldn't have cost much more.
I also have started playing with making my own mandolin bridges, and the bridge can make a HUGE difference in the sound of an instrument. I prefer a solid bridge over the adjustable ones that you'll find on most mandolins these days.
Pete
# Posted on October 13th 2006 by Reverend
Re: mandolin advice
The Folk of the Wood website http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2518.htm has videos of people playing different types of mandolins. Of course, the sound isn't quite the same when heard over computer speakers, but I was surprised how well you can compare the difference in sound between various models and makers.
My darling mandolin and I have been together for a year now, and when I was shopping, I went through the torment of deciding on a body style. As Reverend Pete says, the flat-top A-style with oval soundhole is more common among Irish session mandolin players.
Finally, I decided on the Weber Hyalite, an A-style instrument with f-holes. Go figure! The sound is generally brighter and louder than the models that I tried with oval soundholes. It blends into a session just fine, but is a little louder and brighter, which is great for playing with a band. (although it still doesn't stand a chance to be heard against the fiddle).
Good luck in your search!
# Posted on October 13th 2006 by treecipitation
Re: mandolin advice
If you are in the UK, The Acoustic Music Company [ TAMCO ] in Brighton have the biggest range of mandolins both new and second hand in the UK.
Dave H
# Posted on October 15th 2006 by Dave Hanson
Re: mandolin advice
Also in the UK: Hobgoblin Music in London (off Oxford Street) has a good range and helpful staff.
I bought a Paul Hathway (http://www.paulhathway.com/) M3 mando from them, an A-style, which I am very very happy with.
A lot will depend on where you are, and how much you want to spend.
In the UK, £100-150 will get you a very reasonable imported mandolin from Asia with a laminated wood top. About £500 gets you a much better hand-made instrument with solid wood top. Money no object, then you can spend as much as you like.
# Posted on October 16th 2006 by gasman