Hi, I'm shopping for my first mandolin and have found a used El Toro mandolin locally and am trying to figure out what they are worth ? My other options here are a The Loar 700 or Eastman MD605.
Thanks .
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Hi, I'm shopping for my first mandolin and have found a used El Toro mandolin locally and am trying to figure out what they are worth ? My other options here are a The Loar 700 or Eastman MD605.
Thanks .
Go for the El Toro! Head and shoulders above mass produced imports.
I recall those El Toros NEW selling for around $1900.00 at Reverb. Bradford and Company in Kansas City was handling them. Based on that, as a New price, I wouldn't pay more than $1250.00 used.
Here's an old link to a Bradford Listing at Reverb. They were asking $1900.00 NEW and accepting offers.
https://reverb.com/item/6551071-silv...black-sunburst
It is likely a better mandolin than the other two, but you have to consider what the seller is asking and what you'd pay for one of the other two. If they are asking much over $1250.00 I'd check out the Cafe for other US made stuff. The El Toro was made in Kentucky. The other two in China.
Consider this Breedlove, (link below) is US made and under $1000.00. Asking $850.00. I'd offer $600.00 and see how it goes. I've never really played a US made Breedlove that I'd say sounded "bad" and for a 1st mandolin and US made this wouldn't be bad. Again, consider what you'd pay for the two Chinese made mandolins you listed. Any Breedlove called a "Crossover" is Chinese, by the way.
Link:
https://reverb.com/item/34683903-201...ve-american-of
Photo?
This is the one for sale near me
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I've never played a Silverangel/El Torro (they're as rare as hen's teeth here in the UK), but Ken Ratcliff's been building mandolin's for many years, and his instruments are known to have a rich, meaty sound. Others who have actually played SA's will be better placed to give you more info.
Go for the El Toro if you can afford it. Ken’s building some awesome instruments, and has for years. My Silverangel Econo held its own against mandolins costing much more, and sounded better than any Loar/Kentucky/Eastman I’ve played (and I had an Eastman 315 that was really good).
The other options presented are good mandolins, but I think you’d pick the El Toro if comparison playing was an option...
Yes! The El Toro is made by Ken Ratcliff (Silverangel Mandolins) in Kentucky. My main player is a Silverangel and it is an outstanding instrument! I upgraded from an Eastman to the SA. ... Worth the $$ for sure!
I think Ken was selling the El Toros new (I don't think he is still making them) for $2000 to $3000... If you can get it for a good deal, then it will be a killer first instrument!
Hi Dwiggins,
The El Toro will give you something to grow into for many, many years, possibly for life. The sound of Ken's mandolins is unbelievably rich.
I owned a Silverangel El Toro - I only traded it to "upgrade" to my Collings. They are beautifully made and have a deep, resonate sound.
Grab the bull by the horns;)
I own two Silverangel mandolins. I also live not far from Ken. So I have played many Silverangel and several El Toro mandolins. Every mandolin is different but they all sound like his work. I don't know if he was going for a different sound or just a different look with the El Toro model but I couldn't hear a difference beyond the individual differences in each mandolin. Obviously I'm a fan so take that into consideration.
I'm going to see it Tuesday night. Anything I should look for ?
Separations, top and back sinkage, cracks in the top (especially near the sound holes)
This one is number 391. Curious how many were made?
391 would be fairly recent, around late 2016 - early 2017. I'm not sure how many he is at now. I have a 2017 Silverangel that is a few numbers higher than that one. I don't think he did separate numbers for the El Toro mandolins, especially judging from that number. Ken would probably know, though.
Brought her home tonight ! El Toro & Tweed case for $1400 Cdn (about $1060 US) . Think I did good :grin::grin::mandosmiley:
Congrat's....you got a deal! Enjoy!
Looks great, love the shape. Very inspiring! Do you play other instruments?
That’s a fantastic price for a quality mandolin. Enjoy!
Congrats! And also, thank you. I live in Halifax and I have been eyeing that El Toro for a long time and it has been driving me crazy! Glad it now has a new owner and will not be tempting me on kijiji anymore.
Congrats!