Re: The Loar LM400 or LM520
Quote:
Originally Posted by
neilca
Looking to purchase a used mandolin and have it narrowed between The Loar LM400 or the LM520 but, open to others below the $500 mark. I am not sure the scroll has that much meaning to me but, I would like a nice clear/bright tone. I do not play bluegrass since it is above my skill set. I do strumming of chords for my own entertainment.
I had The Loar 310 that I didn't like. Not very clear toned, I thought. I think the best sounding mandolin I have owned was a Kona oval hole A style. So my bar is pretty low.
I have been eyeballing a used LM600 from the guys at zephyr_surplus on ebay but a little afraid of what these seconds would sound like. I am not too terrible troubled by cosmetics.
What say you Cafe?
For $500 there's a selection of better (IMO) makes available. If you're strumming chords, and oval hole might suit you better. I would seriously recommend buying something from one of the sponsors here vs. eBay or purely on price, for the setup alone. Several nice ones at around $500. Even an Eastman 305 or 304 has a sticker price right at $525, or a Kentucky model M250 or M272 at $499. My $.02.
Re: The Loar LM400 or LM520
For 99. Over your budget, you can have a new LM400 w/ 5year warranty from folkmuscians.com. The 400 is the top of the A style line.
Re: The Loar LM400 or LM520
Quote:
Originally Posted by
keith.rogers
If you're strumming chords, and oval hole might suit you better.
I’ll do you one better and say that for someone not looking to play bluegrass, a $500 budget can buy you a lifetime used flattop mandolin.
Re: The Loar LM400 or LM520
Quote:
Originally Posted by
pheffernan
I’ll do you one better and say that for someone not looking to play bluegrass, a $500 budget can buy you a lifetime used flattop mandolin.
I have a Hora octave mandolin that I have tuned dD-gG-BB-EE. It is fun to play and projects very well. I have been looking for other flat tops but, nothing really strikes my fancy. Are there any flattops mandolins with a guitar body, seems all I could find were octaves.
Is there no love for The Loar?
Re: The Loar LM400 or LM520
I ended up buying a used Kentucky KM-174. Oval hole A-style. Need to clean it up, change the strings and do a setup but with years old strings it sounds pretty awesome. Great addition to my collection.
