I had a dalliance with Irish music a year or two back, but eventually fell out of it to concentrate on other interests. However, after accidentally bumping into a session on Sunday night in a pub just 20 minutes down the road from me, I decided to jump back on the old horse and have another bash. So, I blew the dust off my 50-quid mandolin, and was pleased that the small number of tunes I used to play are still 'under my fingers', so I fancy digging in to learn some more and take up the invitation to go down the session when it meets again in a fortnight.
However, I'm a bit frustrated that, perhaps unsurprisingly, my 50-quid mandolin isn't very much fun to play. I could do with something a little better, but budget is an issue for me. I could prbably get away with spending £200 tops, but I'm wondering if I'll get anything significantly better for that small lolly?
Does anyone on here have any ideas or suggestions as to what to go at? The music shops around here all sell electric guitars and keyboards, so I'll probably do my shopping on the internet, although I could always bob across to Manchester I suppose.
If anyone could offer any suggestions I'd be grateful.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I've bought mandolins on eBay and my advice is, don't.
You have to travel to somewhere with a lot of mandolins to try out. Don't get anything which doesn't have a solid top - a laminated top is no good at all. I just bought a Paul Hathway large bodied mandolin (more than twice your budget I'm afraid but cheap compared with bluegrass mandos at over 2 grand) - I played it in a Hobgoblin shop where I went to try a different one. I couldn't put it down so had to have it. But you might get one that was made in China for under £200 with a spruce top that is just right, but you have to go and try them.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I recently purcased an Ibanez mando from a local music store near me. I'm from the U.S., so I can't help you as far as finding a store goes, but the mandolin is pretty nice. I got it for $150 U.S. You can probably find it online for the same or cheaper.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
For £200 you should be able to get a top class mandolin, if it is for sessions. If you are likely to be topping the bill at the Grand Ol' Opry, you will need about £250 for a top class electric mandolin.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Buying budget instruments is a waste of time. If you serious about playing music get yourself a decent instrument. I know that is easier said than done if you are truly on a tight budget. It is however false economy as buying musical instruments is like anything in life ... you only get what you pay for. So do what it takes ... maybe sell the TV, get a better job, sell the wife's unused exercise bike or rowing machine and raise some dosh and get yourself a decent instrument that you know will stand the test of time and ultimately will be far more satisfying.
Check out the www.theaacousticmusicco.co.uk for good range of Mandolins.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I'll second the recommendation to ensure that you get something with a solid top in order to improve on what you've got; you should be able to achieve that within your budget. If you make a trip to Manchester, Hobgoblin's Ashbury range should have something suitable. I'd also recommend checking out Forsyths on Deansgate; they stock Ozark amongst others.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Jon Bailey means well, and has a minor point, but what do you want. If you are playing golf at the local course once a week, buy a set of second hand clubs, you do not need a calloway driver, and a set of Tiger Wood irons.
If you want a mandolin for a session, get something that sounds nice. My own mandolin, made in Romania years ago by a company which Ozark took over. My electric, beautiful instrument for playing through the PA, Ozark, about £150 quid. And the Chinese are now making top class instruments, like the Gould electric guitar, at a fifth of the price of a big name brand.
In short, you do not need a £2,000 Gibson to play at a session.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Mr bliss has it right about horses for courses; and the Ozark/Vintage/Trinity College etc Pacific Rim mandos/mandolas/bouzoukis are good quality factory instruments. Or, if you go on Ebay, ( I know ) there is a company importing solid-timber ( ie not ply ) budget price Romanian mandos/olas/'zouks, which ought to be worth a look, and within your range.
And all of these economy instruments can be improved with the fitting of a Red-Henry-pattern bridge ( look them up on murphsmethod, sorry don't have the full address to hand, ) but they are even able to be made at home if you have a little practise on the woodworking tools, and well worth the effort.
Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Hi all,
I had a dalliance with Irish music a year or two back, but eventually fell out of it to concentrate on other interests. However, after accidentally bumping into a session on Sunday night in a pub just 20 minutes down the road from me, I decided to jump back on the old horse and have another bash. So, I blew the dust off my 50-quid mandolin, and was pleased that the small number of tunes I used to play are still 'under my fingers', so I fancy digging in to learn some more and take up the invitation to go down the session when it meets again in a fortnight.
However, I'm a bit frustrated that, perhaps unsurprisingly, my 50-quid mandolin isn't very much fun to play. I could do with something a little better, but budget is an issue for me. I could prbably get away with spending £200 tops, but I'm wondering if I'll get anything significantly better for that small lolly?
Does anyone on here have any ideas or suggestions as to what to go at? The music shops around here all sell electric guitars and keyboards, so I'll probably do my shopping on the internet, although I could always bob across to Manchester I suppose.
If anyone could offer any suggestions I'd be grateful.
Cheers.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by plinkeyplonkey
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I've bought mandolins on eBay and my advice is, don't.
You have to travel to somewhere with a lot of mandolins to try out. Don't get anything which doesn't have a solid top - a laminated top is no good at all. I just bought a Paul Hathway large bodied mandolin (more than twice your budget I'm afraid but cheap compared with bluegrass mandos at over 2 grand) - I played it in a Hobgoblin shop where I went to try a different one. I couldn't put it down so had to have it. But you might get one that was made in China for under £200 with a spruce top that is just right, but you have to go and try them.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by RichardB
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I recently purcased an Ibanez mando from a local music store near me. I'm from the U.S., so I can't help you as far as finding a store goes, but the mandolin is pretty nice. I got it for $150 U.S. You can probably find it online for the same or cheaper.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by rob_handel
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
For £200 you should be able to get a top class mandolin, if it is for sessions. If you are likely to be topping the bill at the Grand Ol' Opry, you will need about £250 for a top class electric mandolin.
Try Ozark.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I've got an "entry-level" Fender mandolin (FM-100) for about $175 at a local Guitar Center. You can also get them on-line: http://www.elderly.com/new_instruments/items/FM100.htm
Our session's resident mandolin expert, who plays a very expensive vintage mando, really liked the action and sound of my FM-100.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
You can get some really nice manolins at a good price, but if you want the 'd' included, it'll cost you.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by GaryAMartin
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
http://www.the-music-room.com in West Yorkshire, specialises in instruments for traditional music, staffed by musicians!
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by c.g.
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Buying budget instruments is a waste of time. If you serious about playing music get yourself a decent instrument. I know that is easier said than done if you are truly on a tight budget. It is however false economy as buying musical instruments is like anything in life ... you only get what you pay for. So do what it takes ... maybe sell the TV, get a better job, sell the wife's unused exercise bike or rowing machine and raise some dosh and get yourself a decent instrument that you know will stand the test of time and ultimately will be far more satisfying.
Check out the www.theaacousticmusicco.co.uk for good range of Mandolins.
Best of Luck !
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by Jon_bailey
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
http://www.mandolincafe.com/
http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi
(The "Celtic" message board may be a useful resource.)
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by Tintin
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I got a Stagg with a pick-up for about £60 in Glasgow.
It plays nice enough.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by DubChieftain
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
I'll second the recommendation to ensure that you get something with a solid top in order to improve on what you've got; you should be able to achieve that within your budget. If you make a trip to Manchester, Hobgoblin's Ashbury range should have something suitable. I'd also recommend checking out Forsyths on Deansgate; they stock Ozark amongst others.
# Posted on April 17th 2007 by Fliss
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Jon Bailey means well, and has a minor point, but what do you want. If you are playing golf at the local course once a week, buy a set of second hand clubs, you do not need a calloway driver, and a set of Tiger Wood irons.
If you want a mandolin for a session, get something that sounds nice. My own mandolin, made in Romania years ago by a company which Ozark took over. My electric, beautiful instrument for playing through the PA, Ozark, about £150 quid. And the Chinese are now making top class instruments, like the Gould electric guitar, at a fifth of the price of a big name brand.
In short, you do not need a £2,000 Gibson to play at a session.
# Posted on April 18th 2007 by bodhran bliss
Re: Can ayone recommend a half-decent budget manolin?
Mr bliss has it right about horses for courses; and the Ozark/Vintage/Trinity College etc Pacific Rim mandos/mandolas/bouzoukis are good quality factory instruments. Or, if you go on Ebay, ( I know ) there is a company importing solid-timber ( ie not ply ) budget price Romanian mandos/olas/'zouks, which ought to be worth a look, and within your range.
And all of these economy instruments can be improved with the fitting of a Red-Henry-pattern bridge ( look them up on murphsmethod, sorry don't have the full address to hand, ) but they are even able to be made at home if you have a little practise on the woodworking tools, and well worth the effort.
# Posted on April 18th 2007 by Guernsey Pete