mando help plz!

[Goose_17]

okay first off, the relation to nc is that from being flat out amazed and inspiried mainly by chris and now others..i have decided to take up the mandolin. now...being that i don't really play any other insturment ( i have an electric bass..i know very little...) and i can't really read music...i'm obviously not going to spend a lot of money in this first one. from looking around stores near me (mars, ken stanton) i found basically found fenders. i have even gone online too just checking them out. i really wanted an f model but come to find out..they are more expensive..like the fender fm-63s is around 600....a little high for a first one eh? so ...it brings me to the a-models...and i'm stuck w/2 choices...the fm-52e (around 150) and the fm-53s (250). now i really don't mind the prices here and i'm leaning towards the 53 here in hopes that the quality will be somewhat better...but the 52 come w/ electronics..and i'm not sure if i should want that or go for that. considering that i'm just learning...is the versatility that important? k..i know this maybe a waste of time for some but for others i know you love music, the mandolin, and helping others so..i was just asking for opinions on this situation...yeah i know i'm limited here but i'm just getting started so..i really shouldn't be that picky....thx everyone.

chris <><

(the mando dream...to be able to play big sam thompson)

[mandofocus]

actually you SHOULD be picky as choosing a mandolin is critical in weither you will want to continue. If the mandolin is a good one you'll want to continue to make good sounds.
As for the acoustic/electric choice, if you are planning on playing that one for a while and if you want to play in front of everyone else, it douesn't really matter. In this case the cheaper would be the better to save you money.
However if you start playing shows with people like I have begun, you'll probabley want to get the one with electric pickups. I didn't and now I either have to buy a new one or take you mandolin into a shop to have the electronicsputin (neither of which I have the money for).
So I guess it all comes down on how long you plan on playing he mandolin that you buy.

-PJ- :cool:

[mandoBob]

glad to have another mando convert (I too started out on bass).
you actually have quite a few options for around 250, tho most of them are about the same thing. I wouldnt worry about the F style b/c it's basically just for looks. save it for when you're good enough to play in front of a lot of people. (personally I like the symmetry of the A...I dont have scroll envy as they say). oh and I wouldnt worry about a pickup for your first one, but that's just my opinion. if you're playing with a rock band right off, go ahead and get it, but otherwise you'll be fine with a microphone if you need one.
anyway, I've got a epiphone mm30...made in korea, just like all the others in that price range (tho some are made in china now)
my recommendation is to get a solid top mandolin. the cheaper alternative is laminate which is code for plywood which is really crappy. Spruce top and maple sides is usually the best choice for bluegrass. Spruce top and mahogany sides is ok, just a little more mellow.
I would go check out the Kentuckys at www.folkofthewood.com
They've got a solid top for $135 here http://www.folkofthewood.com/page148.htm
Everybody I've read says good things about Folk of the Wood...they'll take good care of you I'm sure. you can learn a lot on their site too.
Also, you might want to check out the forum on www.mandolincafe.net ... there's always a I'm new...what should I buy thread (or you could start a new one). Most of the folks there will try to convince you to save up and buy American (which I would recommend too) but most dont seem to realize we sometimes cant spend $500.
As an aside, I hope to save up my $500 and get a Weber Y2K. Can't wait. http://www.folkofthewood.com/page233.htm

[headgear]

slightly off topic, but still related.

i've just got hold of someone's old mandolin and restringed it. but now i have no way of tuning it up. am i okay to use my guitar pitch pipes and just use the relevant notes from that? and, this may sound completely dense, but bear with me... do you tune both strings to the same note or are they slightly different?

all help appreciated.

[Uriah]

yes and yes.
low to high, G-D-A-E

[Taipan]

Or on the beginners mandolin book w/ CD (thanks to the legend that is Jim Dalton) there's a track where you can tune it with him. It's a cool book too. I learned from him and I'm e though. So ignore that.

[Goose_17]

thx to everyone who responded. i also asked a family friend of mine who builds mandolins, bass fiddles, guitars all on the side. he also told me that i should look into the kentuckys. and my dad also told me to look for solids and really stay away from the laments....it is really good to have conformation from several sources.

chris <><

too bad i don't have my mando now..i could see if chris could sign it when i see them monday next week in birmingham..God permitting w/isidor down there...

[headgear]

Originally posted by Uriah
yes and yes.
low to high, G-D-A-E

mucho!

i'm sure to be making sweet mando music in no time.