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Thread: What to look for in a new mando.

  1. #26
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    What kind of music are you pursuing?
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  2. #27
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    There is a Red Line Traveler in the classifieds, in your price range, which could make the right person happy for the rest of time.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  3. #28
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    I really just want to be a good Mando player, I love Bluegrass which is what got me interested in the Mandolin but honestly if I could bust into a Mando cover of "Rusty Cage" by Soundgarden or a cover of Gary Allen's "Songs About Rain", or perhaps even a Tom Petty song I'd be happy.

  4. #29
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    I concur with the J.Bovier recommendation. I actually played some higher end mandolins for the first time at Carter Vintage a few weeks ago. Maybe I was expecting too much, but it made me feel better about my JBOVIER F5-T considering how much it cost. Although I remember wishing I had $6k for the Heiden A style they had.

  5. #30
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    How about an "entry level" Eastman F? Not sure about the exact pricing, but seem to enjoy pretty good reviews for what I believe is a sub-$1000 price range.
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  6. #31
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Do consider a flat top, like a Big Muddy or a Red Line, or even an old Flatiron pancake. Excellent quality mandolins that likely can be found in your price range.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
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  7. #32
    Registered User John Kinn's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    JBovier. No question..

  8. #33
    Mandolin Dreams Unlimited MysTiK PiKn's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Bovier F'style price is like 12+ = Let me check that.
    From the website:
    JBovier "F5-Tradition" + Hardshell Case
    Price: $1,200.00
    Shipping: US-Mainland: free (more destinations)
    Sales Tax: Kentucky: 6%
    Condition: Brand new

    = The Loar, LM700VS c.2013 = "The Brat"
    = G. Puglisi, "Roma" c.1907 = "Patentato" - rare archBack, canted top, oval
    = Harmony, Monterrey c.1969 = collapsed ply - parts, testing, training, firewood.


    "The intellect is a boring load of crawp. Aye. Next wee chune".

  9. #34
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Actually the JB F5 Tradition can be had for under $900.
    It is $1,200 on the J Bovier website, but in retail stores it is less.

    Mando Shop has four different F5 Traditions for $899
    http://themandoshop.homestead.com/jb...Mandolins.html

    Fiddlers green $875
    http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co....BuN7bHUz.dpbs

    Mandolin Bros (sold) $879
    http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/J-Bo...-Mandolin/3513

  10. #35
    Mandolin Dreams Unlimited MysTiK PiKn's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Quote Originally Posted by CWRoyds View Post
    Actually the JB F5 Tradition can be had for under $900.
    It is $1,200 on the J Bovier website, but in retail stores it is less.

    Mando Shop has four different F5 Traditions for $899
    http://themandoshop.homestead.com/jb...Mandolins.html

    Fiddlers green $875
    http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.co....BuN7bHUz.dpbs

    Mandolin Bros (sold) $879
    http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/J-Bo...-Mandolin/3513
    OIC - so the 1200 figure is the proverbial MSRP? SORRY.!!!!

    Yes, those retail figures are quite pretty. The BOVIER mandos are quite pretty also. I can almost hear them, just looking at them. He seems to have some nice cases also. Does he actually make them from scratch? Reason I ask, I read a post on another thread somewhere - kinda got confused there too. Something about fitting bridges. Can you clarify? Bunch of people seem to really like these.

    Yeh, my TheLoar700 also has a really high MSRP. And for me, in Canada, it gets really complicated.

    The price in the USA, + translated to Canadian dollar, + shipping costs more, + the ??border??duties?? on top + sales tax.

    Musicians Friend in the US, offers it for approx 1350CA$ Not sure if that gets it here, or if duty still applies, tax would still apply. The whole scene is like that - it's pretty scary.

    Worse again, the socalled dealers in Toronto area, don't have any in stock. (when I checked sites).

    So, I bought used, and bypassed all of the above. Had a few minor disturbances between me and seller; but it's working out quite well now.

    = The Loar, LM700VS c.2013 = "The Brat"
    = G. Puglisi, "Roma" c.1907 = "Patentato" - rare archBack, canted top, oval
    = Harmony, Monterrey c.1969 = collapsed ply - parts, testing, training, firewood.


    "The intellect is a boring load of crawp. Aye. Next wee chune".

  11. #36
    Mandolin Dreams Unlimited MysTiK PiKn's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    But, the op only wants to spend 500 max,
    or he will be in big trouble, it seems.
    Did that change?

    = The Loar, LM700VS c.2013 = "The Brat"
    = G. Puglisi, "Roma" c.1907 = "Patentato" - rare archBack, canted top, oval
    = Harmony, Monterrey c.1969 = collapsed ply - parts, testing, training, firewood.


    "The intellect is a boring load of crawp. Aye. Next wee chune".

  12. #37
    Registered User CWRoyds's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Quote Originally Posted by MysTiK PiKn View Post
    But, the op only wants to spend 500 max,
    or he will be in big trouble, it seems.
    Did that change?
    Yes, but the general consensus at that price range was, go for an A-style, but if he want an F-Style, then save up a little and get an F that is actually worthy. At $500 most Fs will be severely lacking compared to the same priced A. If he wants a GOOD F-Style, then he should get something like the JB F5 Tradition or comparable Loar/Eastman/Kentucky… They may cost a little more, but for the leap in quality of tone it is worth it.

  13. #38
    Mandolin Dreams Unlimited MysTiK PiKn's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    So, you don't think he'd end up sleeping in the (barn)? (etc)?

    Are the Boviers also made in China, like so many others?

    = The Loar, LM700VS c.2013 = "The Brat"
    = G. Puglisi, "Roma" c.1907 = "Patentato" - rare archBack, canted top, oval
    = Harmony, Monterrey c.1969 = collapsed ply - parts, testing, training, firewood.


    "The intellect is a boring load of crawp. Aye. Next wee chune".

  14. #39
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Quote Originally Posted by MysTiK PiKn View Post
    Are the Boviers also made in China, like so many others?
    Yes.
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  16. #40

    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Folks here really want u to purchase a mandolin that u will be happy with.Some may sound a little bias,but they're speaking from experience and knowledge of the mandolin.I suggest play those u can,buy wat U like in ur budget.Set up is most important.Most anything will sound ok with proper setup. If u don't believe that listen to the kids of Landfill harmonic play on instruments made from landfill garbage in cateura paraguay some times

  17. #41
    Mandolin Dreams Unlimited MysTiK PiKn's Avatar
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Fascinating. It seems that most of the mandolins are made in China. I was looking at Boviers for a while and I was thinking they were US made. It's not the first time that I have been surprised to discover that most of the mandos are made in China.

    = The Loar, LM700VS c.2013 = "The Brat"
    = G. Puglisi, "Roma" c.1907 = "Patentato" - rare archBack, canted top, oval
    = Harmony, Monterrey c.1969 = collapsed ply - parts, testing, training, firewood.


    "The intellect is a boring load of crawp. Aye. Next wee chune".

  18. #42
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    Default Re: What to look for in a new mando.

    Eveyone's peaked my interest in a JBovier but I can't find one to play in my area and I'm not buying something without playing it first lol That being said I wasn't a fan of the KM 505 I played but I really wanna try the KM 150 for some reason. I can't say fir sure but the shop I played at seems pretty competent as far as proper set up goes, of course then again they said set up was included so maybe they don't set them up until purchase?

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