Mandolin Advice

[Skippy]

We all can't afford a dude, but I need to upgrade my piece of plywood with strings. Some of the ones I am lookin at include Michael Kelly mandolins.. anyone try any of these? What are some other good ones in the sub 1000$ range?


Thanks!

[Uriah]

The Kelly mandolins are definitely a step up and a great choice for something beyond a beginner type mandolin, but also for somone that can't afford a Dude or Loar F5. You can find a lot of the Kelly mandolins on Ebay, just make sure the one you buy (if you do) has all solid woods....none of that laminate stuff!

Cheers, Uriah

[MandoLuke]

I love my Flatiron! You should be able to find one for just under $1000.


Luke

[Fiddlechic Erin]

I saw a great mandolin at a storethat looked just like Chris Thile's, but it was $2,185 *gasp* so I'll have to stick with mine for awhile.

[JEN4NC]

I am a new Mandolin player. I bought a Flatiron Artist F-model for $1500 - which was a good deal since it was originally $1800. My husband is looking over my shoulder right now and he didn't know what I paid for it :0) He said, honey, $1500 is a good deal...for a CAR! I really love my mandolin - but I like my teacher's vintage Gibson f style scroll in red sunburst, too. I've threatened to slip out with it, but he said he knows where I live!
I get to pay $25 a week for my mandolin, or else I would have had to wait or get a cheapy. My daughter wants and F-style scroll. I would like some input on a good priced (<$500) model. What names are good? Any input appreciated.
Jen

[mandofocus]

Jen,
if you go to:
www.musiciansfriend.com
go under guitars and then mandolins, click on the little up arrow (for prices in ascending order). there is a Dean Bluegrass F-style Mandolin for only $429.99.
Deans are pretty good. I have an acoustic guitar by them that I've had for 3 years now and it has not worn and plays like new.
-PJ-

[JEN4NC]

Thanks for the great link! What is your opinion of the Epiphone Refurb. MM-50 for $349.99. My daughter liked the looks of that one.
Thanks,
Jen:D

[roswellalien475]

I'm not a big fan of Epiphone. I suggest you try it before you buy it. Because every body has different tastes in the feel of an instrument. You might buy something off the internet and not even try it and might not like it when you get it. I have that Dean Bluegrass F model. I found it at a store an hour away and the people there have had it for 2 years or whatever and no one ever touched it and as soon as I picked it up the guy was like, I'll sell it to you for $400. The original price was about $550-$600. I guess I was lucky they wanted to get rid of it. I got a free case and strings too! I've also used Kay and Lotus which are nothing compared to Dean.

[Thilefan]

Are we talking mandolin talk here, or guitar? I know for mandolin, Epliphone is not good at all...I have heard of these kind collapsing for no reason etc. However, I have been using an Oscar Schmidt for a long time, (Costing me about 450 without case). It is the BEST mandolin you can get for the price...absolute easisest to play! Not a bad tone either for a student model.

Robin

[JEN4NC]

Thanks again, guys we'll keep you posted (no pun implied) on our search. It's nice to have a place to talk Mandolins, music and playing and not just NC - not that they alone aren't a worthy topic of discussion. Our instructor has ordered some beginer, or I should say entry level mandolins. He said he wouldn't even carry some of them. He'd rather sell it to you on time than sell you somethin' crappy. They should be in soon.
Jen

[mandofocus]

I had an Epiphone guitar but it didn't hold up. Epiphone is not the greatest maker by any means. Especially for a mandolin I WOULD NOT recommend Epiphone. I use Rogue. It's only ok. I am looking at getting either a Kentucky or a Dudenbostel like Chris's '98 model.
-PJ-

[Skippy]

I got my Michael Kelly Mandolin and not only does it look sharp it sounds really good too. I am getting it setup (pretty much all Mandos in this range need some sort of setting up, if yours doesnt you got lucky, it happens. The only thing I don't like is the fingerboard extention.. it looks cool, but it bugs the heck out of me :( Anyone else run into this problem?

Skip

[sarah]

you don't like the fingerboard extention? why not? i understand on some mandolins like my last one it's pointless because i couldn't even play up the neck on the extention. but my newer one i can.

[Skippy]

Yeah, where my pick hits the string is over the extension and my pick keeps hitting it. While it does force good time :) I don't care for it. (I like playing further from the bridge for that sweeter sound)

[Thilefan]

I would have to agree with Skippy, the fretboard extension isn't very helpful. It makes clean playing difficult, because it sounds like you are playing rough. On my new mandolin, I have request that he make it without the extension at all, much nicer.

Robin