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Thread: Poor Man's Mando Question

  1. #1
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Poor Man's Mando Question

    I was loking at a Rover RM 25S. It is only $25 more than a Rogue and has a solid spruce top. Has anybody else seen one of these and is it worth the extra or am I wasting $25? I would get better but only by eating Ramen for a month can I afford this. Opinions, guidance, donations?

  2. #2
    Registered User JH Murray's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Rovers are better than the Rogues and are worth the $25 more. Be sure to look for Rob Meldrum's set up ebook as it will help you get your instrument into playable condition. Also go buy some D'addario EJ74 strings as the strings the factory put on are very poor quality.

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    My first mando was a Rover RM-25 and I found it to be quite serviceable. It needed decent strings and some adjusting of the bridge, but I was able to set it up to play well without too much difficulty. Personally I also found that heavy pick like a Big Stubby 2mm got the best sound out of it. I usually use EJ74's, but last time i strung it up I used GHS lights. I thought both sets play well on it. Hope,this helps.

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  6. #4
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Yes - get the store brand ramen, Winn-Dixie or such. Same quality as name brand (non-gourmet) but it might come in a 6-pack instead of a 5-pack for a dollar. Just remember to take your vitamins.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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  7. #5
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Is this a request for a political or religious debate? Because if it is then you're in the wrong place, friend.
    This site's for talking about mandolins and music.

  8. #6
    Registered User UlsterMando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Is there some political/religious undercurrent in this thread ??
    I'm lost.
    I see lots of mandolin and mandolin string advice and the familiar
    cheerful and polite tone which makes this such a great place to visit.

    My own advice for the original poster would be to use the Elixir Nanoweb
    coated strings or similar as I found them to outlast non-coated strings
    many times over while retaining good tone. If the new player is not
    going practice every day or every week, then such strings will not degrade
    in the meantime and, when practice is resumed, the player will be encouraged
    by the consistent tone of the instrument.This is a considerable advantage.

    The money saved is also not insignificant.
    Best of luck.

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  10. #7

    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Quote Originally Posted by UlsterMando View Post
    Is there some political/religious undercurrent in this thread ??
    I'm lost.
    Shhhhhhh. It's very subtle.
    Didn't you notice the mention of the code-word 'Ramen'? That provoked journybear's outlandish decision to bring Winn-Dixie into the discussion.
    Just let it go before it escalates into a lock-down.

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  12. #8

    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    No no, it is a simple acrostic. Take the first letter of each word and you get:

    Quote Originally Posted by Roger Moss View Post
    I w l a a R R. I i o $ m t a R a h a s s t. H a e s o o t a i i w t e o a I w $? I w g b b o b e R f a c I a t. O, g, d?
    Think about it.

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  14. #9
    Registered User TheGourdsFan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Responses 2 & 3 are your best answers. I've had an rm-75 for almost 2 years, I've been happy with it.

  15. #10
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Winn-dixie is well known as the "Beef People" so suggesting Ramen is indeed sacrilege.
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  16. #11
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Thanks for all the various responses.
    Last edited by Roger Moss; Mar-02-2016 at 10:42am. Reason: Mistake

  17. #12
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Thanks for your considered response. I had not thought of using Elixirs. I see your point. If they last twice as long as regular strings they are worth the extra cost.

  18. #13
    Registered User UlsterMando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    I have stretched the life of Elixirs to a lot more than twice that of the uncoated
    brand I use ( I use them on different instruments ).
    Some do complain about the feel of the coating, but it has never been an issue for me.
    Sierra Hull agrees.

  19. #14
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    If you can get a solid top, instead of laminated, for only $25 more, go for it.

    You'll probably be glad later.
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Quote Originally Posted by atsunrise View Post
    is this a request for a political or religious debate? Because if it is then you're in the wrong place, friend.
    This site's for talking about mandolins and music.

    i say praise the mando!!!!
    James

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  22. #16
    Shredded Cheese Authority Emmett Marshall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Yes it's worth the extra, and I'm really not being sarcastic Roger, but were it me, I would eat the Ramen Noodles for a month. Seriously.
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  23. #17
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    My personal experience with Elixirs hasn't shown much improvement, if any, on their lifespan, thus their use is not cost-effective for me. I live in a high-humidity, high-salinity environment, which factors may well affect this. But this is a side issue; the main issue is the instrument choice.

    Just to be clear, I mentioned Winn-Dixie only because the OP lives in the Southeast, where that store chain is common. I could just as easily have said Piggly Wiggly. Again, beside the point. W-D calls itself "the beef people," also beside the point, even with beef-flavored ramen. I was being lighthearted, and meant nothing more than that, other than proffering some encouragement to the OP for his dedication to his cause. I don't see how post #5 was called for. It looks like trolling to me. Let's not go there, please. Just no need. Have a nice day!
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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  25. #18

    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    This might help:

    http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...Mandolin-Users

    Also, you might be able to find youtube videos and get some kind of an idea how each one sounds. Not positive, but I seem to recall in his setup videos Rob plays the Rogue a little. Internet video sound quality sure, but it's a way to go while you're deciding.

  26. #19
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question(Follow Up)

    Ok I have a follow-up question. If I move around a few obligations (not paying my cable bill) I think I can barely afford either a set up Rover RM50 or a used Epiphone MM 30 of uncertain heritage. Which would be the better choice? Would the set up push the Rover over the top?

  27. #20
    fishing with my mando darrylicshon's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    The Rover is all solid woods and the Epip has only a solid top. I would say Rover should be the one
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  28. #21
    Registered User Roger Moss's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    That's what I was thinking. The only thing about the Epi is that it is a bigger name brand. What pushes the Rover over the top is that it is sold set up by Elderly. Put that way it seems like Rover is the easy choice.

  29. #22
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    Top will still conservatively thick , to be quick & easy to make on a Machine, back probably is too ..
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  30. #23
    its a very very long song Jim's Avatar
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    Default Re: Poor Man's Mando Question

    I have setup a couple RM50s and have been quite pleased with sound and playability. Should be a good instrument for any Mandolin player on a budget.
    Jim Richmond

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