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Thread: Another Newbie Here

  1. #1
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    Post Another Newbie Here

    Hello All,
    I like others are looking for my first mandolin, and like others on a budget to $700. Any suggestions? Was looking at either Eastman, Kentucky, and Loar, f style mandolins, but will be interested in other makes that maybe suggested.
    I'm interested in Bluegrass, country and folk music. I do play guitar, banjo, and ukulele, and thought I expand into the mandolin. Any insight will be greatly appreciated, thank you all in advance.
    Last edited by W2DWL; Oct-26-2021 at 10:15pm.

  2. #2
    Resident Hack
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Welcome!

    A lot of brave pioneers have come through these parts asking the same questions. Read read read and ask yourself what sort of sound you're looking for.
    Off the top advice, for a no thinking approach is look for a used Eastman 505.
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  3. #3
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Same here. I just bought my first mandolin from Elderly Instruments, a Kentucky KM-250, and it came with a gig bag. This mandolin is the one recommended by mandolinlessons.com as a good starter mandolin.

    The mandolin itself was only $525, but I also got a bunch of accessories, Tone Guard, arm rest, leather strap, strings, harmonic dampeners, so it crept up to ~$700.

    The good thing about buying from Elderly is they do a full setup on the mandolins before they ship them. Whatever and where ever you buy, be sure your new mandolin gets a full professional setup before they send it to you.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Of the three mandolin makers you listed, and I have played all three, I preferred the Eastman. I completely agree that whichever mandolin you finally select, you do want a professional setup done on it.

    Welcome to the mandolin life. Have fun!
    ---
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  5. #5
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Welcome to the best place around, phydaux!

    Regardless of which you choose in that group of three, you have set your sights well. See also my "signature", below, to get Rob Meldrum's book. It is like an owner's manual showing how a mandolin works.
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  6. #6
    small instrument, big fun Dan in NH's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Rereading your OP, the heart wants what the heart wants, but going F Style will add ~$200 over the cost of a similar A Style. That's one of the reasons I went with the A Style KM-250. Again the heart wants what the heart wants, I totally get that. I'm just sayin'.
    Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
    Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)

    And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.

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  8. #7

    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Used options are always a way of saving a bit. I got an Eastman MD515 in great shape for $700 off The Gear Page, had been recently set-up (though I've tweaked it a bit), and I think it sounds pretty good. I'm new to this mando thing, too, but it seemed like I would be losing money if I didn't buy it ...

  9. #8
    Orrig Onion HonketyHank's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    oops! I meant to say welcome to the OP, W2DWL. But, heck, welcome to all!
    New to mando? Click this link -->Newbies to join us at the Newbies Social Group.

    Just send an email to rob.meldrum@gmail.com with "mandolin setup" in the subject line and he will email you a copy of his ebook for free (free to all mandolincafe members).

    My website and blog: honketyhank.com

  10. #9

    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Under 1k, I'd go with an Eastman. MD-505 is an unbeatable mando for the money and comes with a hard case. For the first year or two, you really don't need anything other than a good instrument, an occasional string change (recommend EJ74 or equivalent), whatever picks you like (I'd probably start with something around 1mm, or "heavy"), and a decent tuner. Any other accessories are unnecessary when you're first learning and some of them are just plan unnecessary.

  11. #10
    Registered User TonyEarth's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    For what it's worth, I got my Eastman MD-315 for under 700 and I'm really pleased with it. To my ears it punches above its weight (I like it better than at least one 515 I played, for example). I did play before buying though and I'd absolutely recommend doing that if you can. Prices and trends obviously exist for a reason, but at the individual level more money doesn't always mean a better sounding mandolin, especially when factoring in personal taste.
    Diego

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  12. #11
    Registered User Little JC's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    I'm in the same boat as you. I'm starting with an Eastman MD-315. No complaints. Mine did come with a pro setup.

  13. #12
    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    NFI on my part: Going all "ham sandwich" here, since it's not one of the brands the OP mentioned, and not an F style BUT this is a great price for a US made instrument:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/178129#178129
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  14. #13
    Registered User Eric F.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    It's your money, but I'd spend mine on that Breedlove.

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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Thank you, I will look into the Eastman 505.

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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Yes i will look into the 505

  17. #16
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Thank you Mitch, I will look into the 505

  18. #17
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Quote Originally Posted by Jill McAuley View Post
    NFI on my part: Going all "ham sandwich" here, since it's not one of the brands the OP mentioned, and not an F style BUT this is a great price for a US made instrument:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/178129#178129
    Humm,, Breedlove, something to consider, thank you

  19. #18
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Quote Originally Posted by Little JC View Post
    I'm in the same boat as you. I'm starting with an Eastman MD-315. No complaints. Mine did come with a pro setup.
    I was considering the 315, but I thought I post here and get other suggestions, thanks.

  20. #19
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    Quote Originally Posted by GMorgan View Post
    Of the three mandolin makers you listed, and I have played all three, I preferred the Eastman. I completely agree that whichever mandolin you finally select, you do want a professional setup done on it.

    Welcome to the mandolin life. Have fun!
    Thank you, yes I agree on the professional setup.

  21. #20
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    Default Re: Another Newbie Here

    To everyone with their fine suggestions, now to see what I can find, and hopefully play before buying, but if I have to get one with out playing first well then I hope for the best, thank you everyone.

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