Hi again I am a banjo player and I really want to start mandolin any suggestions as to what make? No price range but want a good one! From Galway but can travel (within Ireland of course!!) Thanks Derek
If you're in Galway then I'd head out to Clarinbridge and see what Tom Cussen has in his shop.
Try to find a mandolin that's made of all solid woods vs. cheap ones that have laminate or ply tops. There are a lot of decent asian made instruments out there - brands like Eastman and Kentucky for example. The Kentucky KM 505 is all solid woods, as is the Eastman 505. Some UK builders such as Moon, Hathaway and Oakwood might be worth looking into as well.
Okay Derek, I'm looking to go the opposite way:a mandolin player looking to buy a banjo. Have any recommendations or anti-recommendations?
I play a Weber Hyalite mandolin (made in Montana), but I have no idea about general availability of these in Galway. Weber's website is soundtoearth.com. The Kentucky and Eastman suggestions are good, but for a bit more money, you can get a custom instrument from a local luthier. Good luck!
There is a guy in Kevin Sykes old shop down past the Tigh Coli. He had a couple a really nice Irish made mando's when I was in there. You might want to check him out.
whatever you do, don't buy a new one. You get at least double your value on a higher-end used one, plus, the sound will have settled in and you'll have an idea of what you'll be playing, and if you decide tyou don't want the mando, you can re-sell at close to original value.
I would imagine that in this recessionary climate, you can get good deals all around.
On a more serious note, as there is enough dissing of instruments on here without me adding to it, my friend paid something like £750 for a hand made mandolin somewhere in Galway.
Alas it was not very good and he used to borrow my electric Ozark, cost £140. He then went and bought an Ozark as he plays a lot on stage and needs electric.
Buying a mandolin
Buying a mandolin
Hi again I am a banjo player and I really want to start mandolin any suggestions as to what make? No price range but want a good one! From Galway but can travel (within Ireland of course!!) Thanks Derek
# Posted on December 5th 2010 by Derek_22
Re: Buying a mandolin
If you're in Galway then I'd head out to Clarinbridge and see what Tom Cussen has in his shop.
Try to find a mandolin that's made of all solid woods vs. cheap ones that have laminate or ply tops. There are a lot of decent asian made instruments out there - brands like Eastman and Kentucky for example. The Kentucky KM 505 is all solid woods, as is the Eastman 505. Some UK builders such as Moon, Hathaway and Oakwood might be worth looking into as well.
# Posted on December 5th 2010 by triplet upstairs
Re: Buying a mandolin
Okay Derek, I'm looking to go the opposite way:a mandolin player looking to buy a banjo. Have any recommendations or anti-recommendations?
I play a Weber Hyalite mandolin (made in Montana), but I have no idea about general availability of these in Galway. Weber's website is soundtoearth.com. The Kentucky and Eastman suggestions are good, but for a bit more money, you can get a custom instrument from a local luthier. Good luck!
# Posted on December 5th 2010 by highdesertbob
Re: Buying a mandolin
There is a guy in Kevin Sykes old shop down past the Tigh Coli. He had a couple a really nice Irish made mando's when I was in there. You might want to check him out.
# Posted on December 6th 2010 by CDNMoose
Re: Buying a mandolin
have you checked donedeal.ie?
if you wanna luthier made ring Joe Foley he's in Dublin
# Posted on December 6th 2010 by padre
Re: Buying a mandolin
whatever you do, don't buy a new one. You get at least double your value on a higher-end used one, plus, the sound will have settled in and you'll have an idea of what you'll be playing, and if you decide tyou don't want the mando, you can re-sell at close to original value.
I would imagine that in this recessionary climate, you can get good deals all around.
# Posted on December 6th 2010 by chris stolz
Re: Buying a mandolin
Paul Doyle's in Galway, think he does new and used.
http://www.pauldoyleinstruments.com/availablenow.php?cat=3
# Posted on December 6th 2010 by molloy
Re: Buying a mandolin
Why would anyone want to play a mandolin?????????
Buy a decent instrument, like a harmonica.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by bodhran bliss
Re: Buying a mandolin
On a more serious note, as there is enough dissing of instruments on here without me adding to it, my friend paid something like £750 for a hand made mandolin somewhere in Galway.
Alas it was not very good and he used to borrow my electric Ozark, cost £140. He then went and bought an Ozark as he plays a lot on stage and needs electric.
But sometimes you do not get what you pay for.
# Posted on December 7th 2010 by bodhran bliss