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#1
07-23-2003, 06:43 AM
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Mando for a beginner?
So my nine year old son and I have both decided we want to try to figure out how to pick a little bit of mandolin. I can't afford to get anything really nice initially, and need recommendations on who is making the best cheap instruments (I know, that's quite an oxymoron). I'm figuring it will be Korean, and probably an "A" style body as the "F" seems to generally be more expensive. I'm trying to keep this in the $200 range (if I can buy something playable for that), and would consider new or used.
Thanks for the advice.
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Trey 
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#2
07-23-2003, 07:42 AM
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This one is hard to beat for the money... Great starter, and will be a keeper even after you upgrade and get another one.
http://www.folkmusician.com/kemakmallsoa.html
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#3
07-23-2003, 09:42 AM
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I really like these Mid-Missouri's for the price range.
www.midmomandolin.com/
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Bring 'em on home!!!
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#4
07-23-2003, 09:49 AM
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I just got the current StewMac catalogue in the mail today. Back cover has a new kit they're offering for a "Campfire Mando"
If you're so inclined, it looks really simple to build and is priced right....might be a cool project for father and son......check it out here
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#5
07-23-2003, 10:50 AM
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Trey ,
I have heard a decent bluegrass player get a good sound out of the relatively inexpesive little Fender Mandolins. Wallace sells them here in atlanta. Let me know if you want to pick one up for you . Later
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Ray Collings DS2H MhA "Bubba" Collings OM 2H "Colleen" Collings "Herb Special" Eastman AR610CE-CS " Jazz " Martin 000 28c MH "Merle" Dudley Classical Dudley" Baby Taylor "Baby Hoggy"
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#6
07-23-2003, 01:58 PM
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Quote:
Add another vote for the Mid-Missouri. People are missing out on a very high quality, american made instrument because it's not eye candy. There is tone for days in a mid-mo & they use all solid wood. These are the best kept secret in mandolins. I love mine! Now ask me what I really think. 
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><> Chuck <>< 714ce LTD/SPEC 810 -SOLD- 1991 Takamine EN-10 (AN) Mid-Mo M2 mandolin 1989 Valley Arts Strat 1988 Fender American Tele
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#7
07-24-2003, 11:11 AM
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Trey. .. .
I'm selling my Mandolin. Its made by a friend of mine's Dad out of Eastern Ky. He's virtually unknown on the web, but well known in Eastern Ky and among hard core bluegrassers ! Anyway, its not really in the price range you mentioned , but I'm doing a heck of a deal on it. . . .much less that whatI commisioned Mr Webb to build it for. .. Email me and we can discuss it a bit. . Regards, DeadHead
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DeadHead Guitars Martin Custom 000 Kopp Roy Smeck Mandolins '03 Gibson A5L
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#8
07-24-2003, 11:31 AM
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Mid-Missouri's standard mandos are excellent, but cost quite a bit more than $200. Their Kid-mo and Mini-mo models are cheaper, but have thinner bodies and don't sound as good. All of their mandos are solid wood throughout.
Try cruising ebay for a Flatiron Cadet. This was their bare-bones flat-top model, stained burgundy, all solid wood. They pop up from time to time and usually sell for $300 or less. I got my Flatiron 1N (essentially a glossy, unstained Cadet) for $300 used several years ago. Finally, look at the Kentucky models, imported from Korea by Saga Music. They have solid top A style models starting at $195 MSRP, and all solid wood models starting at $295 MSRP. These mandos seem to get good marks from all corners.
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Chris We all do better when we all do better.
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#9
07-24-2003, 12:49 PM
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I bought my Kentucky 150 from a fellow forum member and had never played one before. They are all solid wood, nicely finished, and I'm very happy with it.
I did replace the medium strings with light gauge to help the fingers a bit, but now after a month or so have made a lot of progress and find myself playing it more all the time. Some day I'll maybe move up, but I also am looking for a beginning banjo. Enjoy the hunt... Mike
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'02 614ce Ltd (sold) '00 310ce LOTF (missed) '94 DCSM (a definite keeper) Baby Liberty Tree '98 Baby Kerrville Special Edition (rescued from disaster) '98 Baby (boat guitar) Takamine 2000 Ltd (sold) '89 Flatiron Performer F (a joy and delight) '84 Flatiron 2MW (to know one is to love one) '07 Fullerton Gloucester F Kentucky 150S Deering Sierra (sold)
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#10
07-24-2003, 12:51 PM
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A vote for Kentucky here. You can get all solid woods for $200. Not bad quality at all. I thought it was much better than any Fenders in that price range (cheap looking/feeling) and the Mid-mo's (didn't like the sound - not very bright, or looks).
Janetdavismusic.com is where I got mine (sold it since I didn't have enough time to learn) Maybe when I retire
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//oo\\ 01 Taylor 814ce, 05 Taylor T5 Maple, 78 Ovation 10th Anniversary, Larrivee L03-12RE 98 American strat, 06 Gibson LP Supreme, 05 Gadow Custom Single, 05 Gadow Custom Hollow, 04 Agile Goldtop, 05 Variax 600, 03 Splatter Strat, 04 Homebuilt Tele, Dillion John Lennon model, Gibson Flying V, Agile Valkyrie SG
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#11
07-24-2003, 01:13 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Chris We all do better when we all do better.
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#12
07-24-2003, 02:13 PM
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Under $200, go for a Kentucky A model (150S is cool)
Under $500, go for a Mid-Mo Under $1500, go for a Breedlove Quartz KF All these opinions from a guy who doesn't even have a mando right now ... go figure!
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