Hello, I have been playing mandolin for about a year and a half. Right now I have a Savannah F-style that I bought for $225. Although it's an OK beginner mandolin I am ready to buy a better one. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on which ones are good. My budget is between $500 and $1000 but I would prefer not to go above $900 if possible. I am 18 so I don't have a lot of money to go much over that. I want an F-style and I want one with a deep, warm, rich sound. Some of the brands I have been looking at are: Michael Kelly, Kentucky, The Loar, Morgan Monroe, The Flatiron, and Washburn. Of course I want to play as many as possible before buying but I would like to know which ones are best and/or worst and if there are any brands I haven't seen yet. Thanks for any advice.
Jonathan
Best advice I can give you is to go to the mandolincafe.com website and start reading and searching the forums. You could even post your inquiry there and get the best information base available. You'll get a lot of advice about getting more for your money with an A vs an F and this is true, but you want what you want.
They have a classified section that's one of the safest places to buy on the web due to the oversight of the guy who runs the site. I've bought a number of things there and had no problems.
You should also include Jade, Eastman, and J Bovier in your search. And even with a new instrument, you should expect some level of set-up needed. Buying new, I would go through a good dealer like Elderly in Michigan or Gianna Violins that offer these services. There are other good dealers that you'll hear about on the cafe site.
Make sure you know too that the new Flatirons are Chinese imports, not the Montana made mandolins that have enjoyed a long reputation for excellence. That doesn't mean they're bad, just very different in the way that current Epiphones bear no resemblance to the instruments made up until the 1960's bearing that name.
It would help if you put some info about yourself in your profile.
For example, if you were in the NYC area you could go browse at Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island - they didn't have any mandolins under $900 when I was there last , but they are very generous in letting you pick up and play the instruments they have, so you'd get a good idea.
In that price range, you're still in the "student" level mandolins. The best I've heard so far for under $1K are the Eastman's, but quality does vary from one to the next, so play before you buy.
Michael Kelly's usually come with high action and misfit bridges. Their playability and sound can be improved with a good set up, but they're still no match for the Eastman's I've played.
I know it seems like a stretch, but if you can wait and save up another $1,000 to $1,500, then you're in the ballpark for a really sweet Weber or Collings A-model (not an F, but every bit as good a mandolin). And your purchase will more likely appreciate in value, rather than lose value right out of the case.
with MK mandolins, especially the lower models
I'd be very careful.
Sometime ago somebody set up an "auction" on ebay
it was more like a warning for everybody that want's to but one of those mandolins.
Guy showed there flaws that this instrument had.
and there was quite a few of them - the biggest that I remember
the neck wasn't positioned in the middle of the body.
with that kind of money I'd go for Eastman if you want a new one.
check out also a Bernuzio's website, they have nice instruments there.
and then again, you can always switch to tenor banjo
I've been playing an eastman md504 (A-style), which goes for about $6-700 US; it's quite loud and has a nice tone for the price range. The equivalent F-style model would be a couple hundred more; I'd recommend them.
Another Eastman user here.
I've got an A-style oval hole, (an A-hole)
It's a great sounding mando and needed no set-up out of the box, other than a string change.
An amazing step up from my $200 Oscar Schmidt.
I added a Fishman pickup which put the total price a little over $800.
I've also been drooling over a Paris Swing D-hole mando at the music store. I haven't heard that much about them, but this one plays and sounds great. They are available with F-holes and it's in your price range.
Probably your nearest spot to look over mandolins is Gryphon Stringed Instruments, in Palo Alto. Certainly one of the best places for fretted acoustic instruments on the west coast, at least when I used to spend my time in those parts - and I can't imagine that changing, knowing the owners.
Like Mandolin Brothers, their selection tends to the higher-end instruments, but they've always had a few good models for less than the moon in stock. And they've always been open to letting people play the instruments, even if they're not buying in that range.
(Considering how much I've just gushed about them, I should say that I'm not affilitated with the store: even if I do sometimes wear a T-shirt with their logo, they don't pay me to wear it)
I'd strongly suggest that you forgo the scroll and get an A-style. You'll simply be able to get a better-sounding instrument for your dollar. Oval hole or f-hole don't have much impact on price and that should be based on which tone you prefer (f-hole is usually more percussive with stronger projection; oval hole tends to be a bit warmer and more "enveloping.") In general, buy with your ears and hands, not your eyes. many poor-quality mandolins put all their effort into looking like better ones. They may succeed in the looks department but rarely even come close in the tone or playability departments. As you become more discerning, you'll notice differences in feel and sound that you may not yet be fully attuned to. A mandolin that plays or sounds so-so will be a disappointment as that transition takes place. One that plays and sounds great but looks terrible, on the other hand, will actually please you far more. Of course, a mandolin doesn't have to look awful to be a nice instrument but it costs money to make them pretty and that is money not spent elsewhere.
Also, I'd avoid buying long distance (i.e., without playing first) if at all possible. Different examples of the same model instrument from the same builder will not all be the same.
As others have suggested, go look at mandolin Cafe'. Check out their classifieds. This is a good time to be buying used instruments and you may find a really good deal. If you can stretch your budget, you'll likely find that you can get substantially more mandolin for a fairly modest increase in cost.
I hope these suggestions don't come across as arrogant or elitist. My goal is to share what I wish I had known when I was first getting my hands on mandolins. I hope you enjoy the hunt and wind up with something you'll really find to your liking.
Well Mr mandolinjon, lots of good advice above. All I'd add is if you can find some place that has a high turnover of cheaper mandolins, they should have a big selection in your price range from which to choose. As said above pick the best sounding real wood mando out of the selection. Also try the better ones that you can't afford as this gives you a better comparison on the cheaper models, there's always one which stands out from the crowd.
I got an old Gibson "student" mandolin with carved top and back for about $900 a couple of years ago on eBay. It sounds better than a lot of other more expensive mandolins I've heard in person.
Thanks everyone for your input. Are there any more opinions about Jbovier? I've seen some good deals on them at Mandolin Cafe's classifieds. Some people say there really nice. Thanks.
New Mandolin
New Mandolin
Hello, I have been playing mandolin for about a year and a half. Right now I have a Savannah F-style that I bought for $225. Although it's an OK beginner mandolin I am ready to buy a better one. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on which ones are good. My budget is between $500 and $1000 but I would prefer not to go above $900 if possible. I am 18 so I don't have a lot of money to go much over that. I want an F-style and I want one with a deep, warm, rich sound. Some of the brands I have been looking at are: Michael Kelly, Kentucky, The Loar, Morgan Monroe, The Flatiron, and Washburn. Of course I want to play as many as possible before buying but I would like to know which ones are best and/or worst and if there are any brands I haven't seen yet. Thanks for any advice.
Jonathan
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by mandolinjon
Re: New Mandolin
Best advice I can give you is to go to the mandolincafe.com website and start reading and searching the forums. You could even post your inquiry there and get the best information base available. You'll get a lot of advice about getting more for your money with an A vs an F and this is true, but you want what you want.
They have a classified section that's one of the safest places to buy on the web due to the oversight of the guy who runs the site. I've bought a number of things there and had no problems.
You should also include Jade, Eastman, and J Bovier in your search. And even with a new instrument, you should expect some level of set-up needed. Buying new, I would go through a good dealer like Elderly in Michigan or Gianna Violins that offer these services. There are other good dealers that you'll hear about on the cafe site.
Make sure you know too that the new Flatirons are Chinese imports, not the Montana made mandolins that have enjoyed a long reputation for excellence. That doesn't mean they're bad, just very different in the way that current Epiphones bear no resemblance to the instruments made up until the 1960's bearing that name.
Good luck.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by Steve L
Re: New Mandolin
It would help if you put some info about yourself in your profile.
For example, if you were in the NYC area you could go browse at Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island - they didn't have any mandolins under $900 when I was there last , but they are very generous in letting you pick up and play the instruments they have, so you'd get a good idea.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by Bren
Re: New Mandolin
In that price range, you're still in the "student" level mandolins. The best I've heard so far for under $1K are the Eastman's, but quality does vary from one to the next, so play before you buy.
Michael Kelly's usually come with high action and misfit bridges. Their playability and sound can be improved with a good set up, but they're still no match for the Eastman's I've played.
I know it seems like a stretch, but if you can wait and save up another $1,000 to $1,500, then you're in the ballpark for a really sweet Weber or Collings A-model (not an F, but every bit as good a mandolin). And your purchase will more likely appreciate in value, rather than lose value right out of the case.
# Posted on June 22nd 2009 by Miss Lonelyhearts
Re: New Mandolin
with MK mandolins, especially the lower models
I'd be very careful.
Sometime ago somebody set up an "auction" on ebay
it was more like a warning for everybody that want's to but one of those mandolins.
Guy showed there flaws that this instrument had.
and there was quite a few of them - the biggest that I remember
the neck wasn't positioned in the middle of the body.
with that kind of money I'd go for Eastman if you want a new one.
check out also a Bernuzio's website, they have nice instruments there.
and then again, you can always switch to tenor banjo
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by padre
Re: New Mandolin
I've been playing an eastman md504 (A-style), which goes for about $6-700 US; it's quite loud and has a nice tone for the price range. The equivalent F-style model would be a couple hundred more; I'd recommend them.
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by WillShakespear
Re: New Mandolin
Another Eastman user here.
I've got an A-style oval hole, (an A-hole)
It's a great sounding mando and needed no set-up out of the box, other than a string change.
An amazing step up from my $200 Oscar Schmidt.
I added a Fishman pickup which put the total price a little over $800.
I've also been drooling over a Paris Swing D-hole mando at the music store. I haven't heard that much about them, but this one plays and sounds great. They are available with F-holes and it's in your price range.
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by CleverName
Re: New Mandolin
Probably your nearest spot to look over mandolins is Gryphon Stringed Instruments, in Palo Alto. Certainly one of the best places for fretted acoustic instruments on the west coast, at least when I used to spend my time in those parts - and I can't imagine that changing, knowing the owners.
Like Mandolin Brothers, their selection tends to the higher-end instruments, but they've always had a few good models for less than the moon in stock. And they've always been open to letting people play the instruments, even if they're not buying in that range.
(Considering how much I've just gushed about them, I should say that I'm not affilitated with the store: even if I do sometimes wear a T-shirt with their logo, they don't pay me to wear it)
# Posted on June 23rd 2009 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: New Mandolin
I'd strongly suggest that you forgo the scroll and get an A-style. You'll simply be able to get a better-sounding instrument for your dollar. Oval hole or f-hole don't have much impact on price and that should be based on which tone you prefer (f-hole is usually more percussive with stronger projection; oval hole tends to be a bit warmer and more "enveloping.") In general, buy with your ears and hands, not your eyes. many poor-quality mandolins put all their effort into looking like better ones. They may succeed in the looks department but rarely even come close in the tone or playability departments. As you become more discerning, you'll notice differences in feel and sound that you may not yet be fully attuned to. A mandolin that plays or sounds so-so will be a disappointment as that transition takes place. One that plays and sounds great but looks terrible, on the other hand, will actually please you far more. Of course, a mandolin doesn't have to look awful to be a nice instrument but it costs money to make them pretty and that is money not spent elsewhere.
Also, I'd avoid buying long distance (i.e., without playing first) if at all possible. Different examples of the same model instrument from the same builder will not all be the same.
As others have suggested, go look at mandolin Cafe'. Check out their classifieds. This is a good time to be buying used instruments and you may find a really good deal. If you can stretch your budget, you'll likely find that you can get substantially more mandolin for a fairly modest increase in cost.
I hope these suggestions don't come across as arrogant or elitist. My goal is to share what I wish I had known when I was first getting my hands on mandolins. I hope you enjoy the hunt and wind up with something you'll really find to your liking.
# Posted on June 24th 2009 by devellis
Re: New Mandolin
Well Mr mandolinjon, lots of good advice above. All I'd add is if you can find some place that has a high turnover of cheaper mandolins, they should have a big selection in your price range from which to choose. As said above pick the best sounding real wood mando out of the selection. Also try the better ones that you can't afford as this gives you a better comparison on the cheaper models, there's always one which stands out from the crowd.
# Posted on June 24th 2009 by Solidmahog
Re: New Mandolin
I got an old Gibson "student" mandolin with carved top and back for about $900 a couple of years ago on eBay. It sounds better than a lot of other more expensive mandolins I've heard in person.
# Posted on June 27th 2009 by dfost
Re: New Mandolin
Thanks everyone for your input. Are there any more opinions about Jbovier? I've seen some good deals on them at Mandolin Cafe's classifieds. Some people say there really nice. Thanks.
# Posted on June 27th 2009 by mandolinjon