#1
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Need a Mandolin Suggestion
I'd like to learn to play the mandolin. Can anyone suggest a good mandolin to start with? Also, any lesson book or DVD recommendations?
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In order of age.... '67 Guild D-44 - Bought it New! '67 Yamaha FG-230 12 - Also Bought New '78 Guild X-175 '96 Guild JF-65 12 '00 Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner '01 Guild Goldtop Bluesbird '06 Taylor T5 Cocobolo '07 Taylor Custom DN Brazilian Take it easy, but take it! |
#2
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what is the most you are willing to spend on your first mandolin?
i have some suggestions , but do you want el cheapo , or just something that is reasonable? Rick |
#3
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Maybe something like these:
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/MD504C.htm http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/KM505.htm Look around on the Elderly Instruments site. IMO you need to spend around this much to get a decent starter mandolin. Don't go for the Musicians Friend deal where you get both a flattop guitar and a mandolin for less than a Franklin. And don't be pulled in by those who would have you believe you need to spend $5K to $6K for an "entry level" instrument. That's *****. Only get an F model mandolin if you really, really like that style. The scrolls and points cost a lot of money and do absolutely nothing for the sound or playability. |
#4
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What type of music will you be playing? Bluegrass players seem to like F-style mandolins for the bark and projection while folk and celtic players mostly use A-style mandos. But you can pretty much play any style of music on any mando. I have an inexpensive Michael Kelly F-style and a Breedlove K body mando. The K body seems to be farily versatile. Bruce does make a good point in that F-styles are more expensive and depending on your needs may not be necessary.
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#5
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Quote:
Biggs -- primarily bluegrass and a little folk.
__________________
In order of age.... '67 Guild D-44 - Bought it New! '67 Yamaha FG-230 12 - Also Bought New '78 Guild X-175 '96 Guild JF-65 12 '00 Santa Cruz Vintage Southerner '01 Guild Goldtop Bluesbird '06 Taylor T5 Cocobolo '07 Taylor Custom DN Brazilian Take it easy, but take it! Last edited by california91207; 12-16-2007 at 10:01 AM. |
#6
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Take a look at a Kentucky A style. They sound good, can be set up well, and are good enough to take you to a point where you can decide if you want and need something better.
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#7
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The Kentucky mandos are good bang for the buck-sound pretty good and can be setup to play nicely. Also, the Mid-Missouri mandolins are a good choice for an entry level instrument (I think they changed their name recently.)
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#8
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You might look for a used one. I found a Kent, sold by J.C Pennys and Montgomery Wards back in the 60's. Think I paid $35 for it, but that included two sets of guitar strings..lol...The sound is decent, but great for learning to play. It's construction reminds me of some of those Gibsons that were overbuilt back then........I swear to God that it's as solid as an oak table..lol...Great as a pancake flipper too.
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#9
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I just posted this up on another Mandoline question,but hey its free info, so here you go.
http://www.johnmcgann.com/TabReadersGuideToStandard.pdf Ship |
#10
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Quote:
If you want to play both bluegrass AND folk, I'd steer you towards the an A-style body with F-style holes. You'll save a decent amount of $ on the instrument -- because you're not paying for all that fancy scrollwork -- while still getting the bluegrass sound you're looking for. And while you can certainly play folk on a bluegrass-style mandolin, I don't think a folk-style mandolin works nearly as well for bluegrass because it's just not going to chop very well. Don Smith Last edited by martind gibsona; 12-16-2007 at 12:05 PM. |
#11
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Quote:
http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/Gea...yword=Mandolin |
#12
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If you're looking for something that's pretty reasonable and not an "el cheapo" you could look at Eastman mandolins:
http://www.giannaviolins.com/esmando...Inventory.html I'll second the suggestion of an A-style body with f-holes for bluegrass. Fliss |
#13
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An Eastman 615 is a killer mando.
Or a Morgan Monroe MMS-3 http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2332.htm |
#14
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I just bought my first mando a couple of weeks ago-- a Kentucky KM-350. A nice little mando that plays pretty well with the set-up included in purchase price. The Eastmans are really nice for the money, but the Kentucky was a better deal for me, as I was looking for something decent to learn on.
Check out Gianna's Violins or The Mandolin Store: both have good deals and include set-ups with their mandos. |
#15
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check out the weber hyalite with the mahogany back and sides. a fine little mandolin to start on.
__________________
Bill Gennaro "Accept your lot, whatever it may be, in ultimate humbleness. Accept in humbleness what you are, not as grounds for regret but as a living challenge." |