Hi, folks.
I would like to buy a mandolin, not a crappy beginner one, but something I can use for the first years...I mean, something pretty playable! Do you guys know about prices and good brands?
The ones branded over here ( UK ) as Ozark, also found as Trinity College and Johnston, but NOT the Ozarks made in Romania, I'd only recommend the Pacific-Rim built ones, should do you well for a few years.
I've no idea what prices they sell for in the EU.
As in all things, what you pay for you get, with all the usual qualifications.
Alternatively, ebay in the european countries lists many mandolins made around Germany over the past 50-+ years, instruments with quite a wide soundboard and a multipiece back, sometimes in beautiful designs with several different woods, that is slightly bulged, but not like the Italian-type lute-bodied instruments. These can often be very satisfying instruments to play for the beginner, but of course you need to read the advertisments and study all photos very carefully to be sure you are being offered a playable instrument.
A friend of mine and a maker of superb instruments. He's a perfectionist and he may want more dough than you want to pay, but I thought I'd mention it.
They all make fine instruments that will keep you happy for the first years you play and many years beyond that. But, they are not cheap. Figure on $2,200-3,000- US.
Or, for less you can get one from Davy Stuart who is in New Zealand. He can build you a mandolin for around $1,400-1,500 in New Zealand dollars which is about $1,000 US or 840 euro.
I would suggest the lady was trying to balance the mutually contradictory requirements of finding the best instrument for the least price that would still be satisfying to play after some initial progress from absolute beginner.
I still reckon you are going too far upmarket, bearing in mind it's possible to find it's not really the instrument you are looking for, if you start advocating individually hand-made instruments at this point, and you'll then have to try and recoup your expenditure, not always immediately easy, if you decide it's the wrong instrument for you.
So I still reckon it's a reasonable factory instrument first, then look around for a good luthier as the second stage.
My example would be to ask if you'ld give a Martin guitar ( my sort of benchmark ) to a 10-y-o beginner ? No. you don't want top-of-the range now.
I recently bought an Eastman from http://www.bernunzio.com and had it shipped to Melbourne. It's a great sounding instrument and reasonably priced. But if I were you I'd check out the Mandolin Hangout before deciding on a brand.
Buy a mandolin
Buy a mandolin
Hi, folks.
I would like to buy a mandolin, not a crappy beginner one, but something I can use for the first years...I mean, something pretty playable! Do you guys know about prices and good brands?
Thanks a lot
# Posted on May 17th 2010 by clorophilla
Re: Buy a mandolin
The ones branded over here ( UK ) as Ozark, also found as Trinity College and Johnston, but NOT the Ozarks made in Romania, I'd only recommend the Pacific-Rim built ones, should do you well for a few years.
I've no idea what prices they sell for in the EU.
As in all things, what you pay for you get, with all the usual qualifications.
Alternatively, ebay in the european countries lists many mandolins made around Germany over the past 50-+ years, instruments with quite a wide soundboard and a multipiece back, sometimes in beautiful designs with several different woods, that is slightly bulged, but not like the Italian-type lute-bodied instruments. These can often be very satisfying instruments to play for the beginner, but of course you need to read the advertisments and study all photos very carefully to be sure you are being offered a playable instrument.
# Posted on May 17th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Buy a mandolin
A friend of mine and a maker of superb instruments. He's a perfectionist and he may want more dough than you want to pay, but I thought I'd mention it.
http://www.martincoleguitars.co.uk
# Posted on May 17th 2010 by Steve Shaw
Re: Buy a mandolin
You didn't say what your price range is. You might want to consider folks like:
Herb Taylor at http://www.herbtaylor.com,
Bill Bussman at http://www.oldwavemandolins.com
Both are in the US
Graham McDonald at http://www.mcdonaldstrings.com. He is in Australia
They all make fine instruments that will keep you happy for the first years you play and many years beyond that. But, they are not cheap. Figure on $2,200-3,000- US.
Or, for less you can get one from Davy Stuart who is in New Zealand. He can build you a mandolin for around $1,400-1,500 in New Zealand dollars which is about $1,000 US or 840 euro.
Good luck.
John
# Posted on May 17th 2010 by John Conoboy
Re: Buy a mandolin
Oops. Davy Stuart is at.
http://www.stuart.co.nz/
# Posted on May 17th 2010 by John Conoboy
Re: Buy a mandolin
Have a scroll down this page & see what Trevor has.
They might be more money than you have to spare right now, but worth a wee look anyway.
http://www.theacousticmusicco.co.uk/index.php/vintage-mandolins/used-vintage-mandolins-for-sale.html
# Posted on May 17th 2010 by Ptarmigan
Re: Buy a mandolin
Romanian Ozark, wonderful.
The electric one which has a great tone is about £150.
# Posted on May 18th 2010 by bodhran bliss
Re: Buy a mandolin
Probably available in Italy , where dyna is, too.
There are also some indepndent Romanian makers giving good value.
Mind you the UK pound is good value too so worth looking at UK instrument shops.
Try Hobgoblin, or for good value and advice, our local shop up here:
Celtic Chords
http://www.celtic-chords.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3_4_54
email the owner - he is very helpful
# Posted on May 18th 2010 by Bren
Re: Buy a mandolin
I would second the Martin Cole recommendation. He's a nice bloke who makes nice instruments.
# Posted on May 18th 2010 by greg sheils
Re: Buy a mandolin
Indeed, greg. Cheers!
# Posted on May 18th 2010 by Steve Shaw
Re: Buy a mandolin
I would suggest the lady was trying to balance the mutually contradictory requirements of finding the best instrument for the least price that would still be satisfying to play after some initial progress from absolute beginner.
I still reckon you are going too far upmarket, bearing in mind it's possible to find it's not really the instrument you are looking for, if you start advocating individually hand-made instruments at this point, and you'll then have to try and recoup your expenditure, not always immediately easy, if you decide it's the wrong instrument for you.
So I still reckon it's a reasonable factory instrument first, then look around for a good luthier as the second stage.
My example would be to ask if you'ld give a Martin guitar ( my sort of benchmark ) to a 10-y-o beginner ? No. you don't want top-of-the range now.
# Posted on May 19th 2010 by Guernsey Pete
Re: Buy a mandolin
My God, someone else with sense.
# Posted on May 19th 2010 by bodhran bliss
Re: Buy a mandolin
I recently bought an Eastman from http://www.bernunzio.com and had it shipped to Melbourne. It's a great sounding instrument and reasonably priced. But if I were you I'd check out the Mandolin Hangout before deciding on a brand.
# Posted on May 20th 2010 by fabphil39
Re: Buy a mandolin
Oops sorry, I meant the Mandolin Cafe http://www.mandolincafe.com/
# Posted on May 20th 2010 by fabphil39