#1
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Mandolin for a beginner
My daughter (college age) has taught herself to play the ukelele and is enjoying it a great deal. I have tried to interest her in guitar, but she likes the small size the use. Which led me to the idea of getting her a mandolin for Christmas. What would you recommend as a mandolin for a beginner at less than $500?
Thanks. |
#2
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The Kentucky series of lower end mandolins seem to get very high reviews, a good setup is always a great thing for a mandolin. Also extra light strings while you get used to it, those things have scary high tension if you're not used to them.
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Brian Evans Around 15 archtops, electrics, resonators, a lap steel, a uke, a mandolin, some I made, some I bought, some kinda showed up and wouldn't leave. Tatamagouche Nova Scotia. |
#3
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I am a big fan of the Eastman 305 in the sub $500 price range. It has all solid, carved woods and generally sounds pretty good, if slightly bright. The main issue I have with it is that the hardware (tuners and tailpiece) isn’t the best.
That being said, if you can find a used flat top like a Mid Missouri or Big Muddy (same builder, different name, Mid Missouri was his first company), then I would jump on it. They are fantastic mandolins, not just good mandolins “for the money”. In fact, NFI, but there is a Mid Mo M4 on Mandolin Cafe right now. I would jump on it.
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Bourgeois Aged Tone Vintage D Gibson CS 1958 Les Paul Std. Reissue Mason-Dixon FE 44 Combo Amp |
#4
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Quote:
Quote:
https://www.elderly.com/products/ken...m-270-mandolin
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#5
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I have no experience with mandolin, so take this for what it’s worth... I watch a luthier on YouTube, Jerry Rosa, from Rosa String Works. I think his shop is in Missouri. He makes custom mandolins and repairs them as well. I was watching him the other day and he said he likes Eastman mandolins and has never seen a bad one.
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Carol _______________ PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo Emerald X30 Woody Traveler EG-1 Custom |
#6
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I'd second/third/fourth the Kentucky recommendation. The Eastmans I've heard or played briefly were fine, too.
D.H. |
#7
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Kentucky K 150 is a fine mandolin. Buy it from someone like Elderly or the Mandolin Store and it will be setup already.
Eastman also makes the MD 305, but it's a little more. Either of these are good enough to be kept if she were ever to upgrade. Both of the above are solid carved wood instruments. Avoid the many pretty mandolin shaped objects on the market. Good for you for having this kind of budget.
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2007 Martin D 35 Custom 1970 Guild D 35 1965 Epiphone Texan 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W Pono OP 30 D parlor Pono OP12-30 Pono MT uke Goldtone Paul Beard squareneck resophonic Fluke tenor ukulele Boatload of home rolled telecasters "Shut up and play ur guitar" Frank Zappa |
#8
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Thank you for all of the helpful suggestions!
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#9
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I have a "The Loar" LM-500-VS. Good quality from China.
If you think a mandolin looks better in F-Style as I do, you can find one for $500. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-T...4383.l4275.c10 |
#10
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Quote:
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"I go for a lotta things that's a little too strong" J.L. Hooker |
#11
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IMO they're also some of the most beautiful string instruments ever conceived with their Art Nouveau aesthetic, and while the Loar-era F-5 gets all the attention (and commands the highest prices) I've always been partial to the F-4...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#12
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Have not played the Kentucky mandolins, but from experience the Eastman is definitely an instrument new players can grow with and maybe even become a lifetime mandolin for many.
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#13
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My pretty standard response:
The first few things a lot of guitar players find out about mandolin: 1. Its like fretting a cheese grater. The high tension, dual strings of the mandolin will just laugh at your guitar calluses. 2. A decent setup is not optional. You need it. 3. To get the equivalent quality level in a mandolin as you get in a guitar costs twice as much. A mandolin equivalent to the quality level of a $500 (US) guitar will cost $1000. 4. You're going to need a thicker pick. Don't even mess with anything under 1.0 mm on mandolin. |
#14
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Quote:
No truer words spoken!
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“Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.” – George Eliot |
#15
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I would look at Eastman Mandolins. Never seen a bad one, and some of their lower end (beginner) models sound as good, or better, than the more expensive ones! I started with an Eastman 515.....
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a Vet! 1936 Martin R18 Bourgeois Vintage D Gibson F5 Goldrush Mandolin Wildwood Balladeer Custom 5 string Banjo |