Re: Laminated back and sides bad?
Haven't read the thread through yet, but...
Laminated back & sides is perfectly acceptable in a cheap mandolin. In fact it's to be expected. No, it won't have the tone or volume of even a student-grade mandolin, but a cheap mandolin is still a worthwhile, inexpensive tool to learn on.
A proper setup is even MORE IMPORTANT on a cheap mandolin than on a student-grade mandolin, mostly because cheap mandolins don't come anywhere near correctly set up by the factory, and most stores that sell cheap mandolins are clueless on how to set them up.
And remember the rule - Skip your second mandolin and go straight to your third mandolin.
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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