Michael Kelly - Worth it at the price?

[bucephalous]

Hey All,

New to the forum and Mandolins in general, other than a few hours here or there with a friend's epiphone. Right now a major website is running a deal for the Michael Kelly Legacy Festival Pack for $300, almost half the retail price I've seen it elsewhere

My Question: Given that this will be my first Mandolin, is it a worthwhile purchase? I've been in a touring band and know my way around other stringed instruments, but the mandolin is relatively new to me. I was looking at this, the Epiphone MM30s, Kentucky KM150 and a few other sub $300 options. Am I actually getting more for my money here, or is it a case of "price it high and mark it low?"

NOTE: I know I'm not getting a GREAT instrument. When I started guitar and bass 15 yrs ago I bought a korean epiphone and mexican p-bass I still own. I know they're not technically GOOD instruments, but they were enough to get me started and keep around for friends/beating/practice.

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Dano93j]

I have never played a mk but that sounds like a really good deal to me. Also the mk has is made of solid maple back and sides and a solid spruce top which is a plus.

[Paul Busman]

For $300, I think it's probably a pretty good deal. See if you can buy it somewhere where it will receive a good setup-- out of the box it might not play it's best. Otherwise, you might want to have a luthier do a setup for you.
Right now you can get this alternative for the same price:
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--BRECRSOF
Other dealers have it too, in black or natural, F or oval hole. I have a black one with an oval hole and LOVE it.
Good or great is in the ears and hands of the player. If you love the instrument, it plays easily and sounds good,and you got it at a great price, don't let anyone convince you it's not good enough!

[Folkmusician.com]

Welcome to the forum!

$300 is a great price and I would take this over an MM30, but it is a little more difficult to choose when we throw the KM-150 into the mix. The Festival pack will come with a terrible setup (well, no setup is more like it). Factor that into the price as well. If you want an F-style, this will be as good as they come until you get up over $500.

[allenhopkins]

Well, Elderly has their "starter kit" KM-150 on sale here at the same price. You get a gig bag instead of the "semi-hard case" Musician's Friend is offering with the MK, but you also get shop set-up, which Musician's Friend doesn't offer and which can run you $50-100 if you don't do it yourself. The KM-150 is sorta the common denominator of recommended starter mandolins here on the Cafe´; it's all solid wood, carved top, recognized decent quality. Both outfits include a tuner; Elderly gives you extra strings and a polishing cloth, Musician's Friend includes a strap, so approximate equivalency...

Of course, it's an A-model rather than an F, so you don't get the scroll and points. Generally, Kentucky mandolins get higher marks here than MK's in terms of sound quality. Makers like MK, Morgan Monroe etc. tend to stress appearance, and this can lead to over-finishing, with resultant "muffling" of acoustic output. Low-end Kentuckies can be sorta "plain Jane," but the dealers who post here often recommend them.

Were I in your shoes, I might prefer going with the Kentucky, especially since dealers like Elderly are specialists in acoustic instruments and have a good rep. I've dealt with them a few times, had good results. i've also bought a bunch of gear from Musician's Friend, and they delivered as advertised with good prices and service -- but, they don't claim to do inspection, adjustment or set-up, and those things are pretty important, especially with regard to mandolins where bridge placement, string height etc. can be crucial.

I'm assuming you're planning to buy on-line. You say you have a friend with an Epi mandolin; any chance you could play one or both of the instruments under consideration before choosing? Every mandolin's a bit different, and your tastes and preferences are unique to you, so generalized replies have only a limited validity.

In any case, good luck and enjoy whichever mandolin you buy!

[roysboy]

I've played, perhaps , half a dozen MKs at a local shop- all set up nicely . Then I played the km-150 at the same shop and bought it . I've also played and recorded with the Epi MM 30 and was very impressed with setup, playability and tone , if not projection . The MKs would be at the bottom if this list for me regardless of the discount .

[bucephalous]

Thank you all VERY much for the input. I'm not used to internet message boards being so informative, civil and candid. I'll definitely take this all into account and make the trek to a store to demo more options before moving forward. Thanks again!

[Eric F.]

Thank you all VERY much for the input. I'm not used to internet message boards being so informative, civil and candid.

I guess we've failed again. Someone ask how bucephalous feels about The Band Perry. ...

[Timbofood]

Welcome to the cafe! There are times when things get a little touchy but mostly we all play well with others!
If you're not too far from Elderly, it's worth a trip. No idea where you are located but play as many as you can. Once infected, you may never be the same!

[Rob Meldrum]

You're right, this site is one of the most civil, polite and informative on the web. If you want to learn to do your own setup, email me at rob.meldrum@gmail.com and ask for my free ebook on how to set up a mandolin. Please put "mandolin set up" in the subject line. With a set of automotive feeler gauges (under ten dollars at any auto parts store) you'll learn how to measure the string heights, then use the feeler gauges to make custom nut saws to get the action just right. Plus information on adjusting the bridge/saddle and setting the intonation.

I like to think if I doubled the price it would still be a bargain <yeah, lame joke>. :-)

Robster

[Willie Poole]

Robster, If you "doubled the price it would still be a bargain"?...Reminds me of an ad I saw a while back at a fast food eatery, it said "Two for the price of two"...One thing about it though, it did catch a lot of peoples eyes.....

Willie

[bart mcneil]

Price being equal I would go with the best sounding instrument for the price, if you feel qualified to judge sound of mando. The first mando for most folks is seldom their last and as you play whatever brand your taste will change according to your experience. In a year or two you will have developed enough sensitivity to make a more informed decision. So in my opinion spending a huge amount of money on your first mando does not make sense.

Others opinions will differ of course. Good luck in whatever you choose. If you give it your all you should have a great time.

And as stated above by others; Set up is terribly important for comfortable and in tune playing.

And by the way. Don't believe what you read about discounted price. The only thing that matters is the lowest possible price from a variety of sellers who include a set up. Most discount sellers do not set up the instruments they sell. Most, but not all) major dealers set up any instrument they sell. And you, of course, pay for that service.

[Timbofood]

Rob, your book was worth four times what I paid!