I'm looking for a $200-$250 Mandolin.

[Angry Possum]

Beginner here, I'm looking to spend $200-250 on a good playing and sounding mandolin. It can be used. I just want something with good action and a good sound.. Please send some links. I'll check them out.
Just don't know what mando to buy.

[Mike Romkey]

<Removed by Moderator. Please limit Commerce to the Classifieds>

[Walt]

Welcome! You may get more bites on the “Looking for Information About Mandolins” thread. For sound, look for something with all solid woods. Regarding playability, mandolins in that price range are all over the map. Maybe try to grab a used Kentucky or Eastman for $200 then budget $50 to have a repair person do a very basic setup. Even new stuff in the price range can need a proper setup to get the action right.

[Angry Possum]

<Removed by Moderator. Please limit commerce to the Classifieds>

[MikeEdgerton]

Just a note. There's a reason there is a PM function and the Classifieds. Carry on.

[Cary Fagan]

I don't believe you're going to find a used Eastman at that price. A used older entry-level Kentucky is possible, such as (just for example purposes) this one I found just now on ebay:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Saga-Musical...MAAOSwaXNennLi

You'll be looking at pressed-top mandolins, possibly laminate but if you're lucky a solid top. I think it is very important for it to be well set up; an instrument that's hard to play can be very discouraging. Put decent strings on it. You probably should hope for acceptable rather than 'good' sound for the present. It'll still be easy to fall in love with playing mandolin.

Looking around some more I did find this one, which makes me think that perhaps a somewhat better instrument is possible. I have no personal experience with Loar brand:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/The-Loar-LM-...sAAOSwSzRZVWU1

[CES]

Contact Dennis at The Mandolin Store and see what he has or can find, or check with Elderly Instruments, or any of the other Cafe sponsors. That way you’ll be sure to get a mandolin that’s well set up, which is the most important factor at this price point...

[Mike Romkey]

Giving away a mandolin is commerce? Duly noted.

[MikeEdgerton]

Giving away a mandolin is commerce? Duly noted.

And again, there's a reason there is a PM function.

[Richard500]

Giving away a mandolin is commerce? Duly noted.

As of today, Mike, paying someone to take your crude oil away is commerce! (Minus $38/barrel !!). No wonder I’m not rich.

[John Rosett]

I bought a used Epiphone A model with a built-in pickup and solid top off of Craigslist last year for $80. It plays and sounds fine, especially plugged, which is what I bought it for.

[belbein]

If you're a beginner, you don't know that you're going to like mandolin. (I say this because I bought a classical guitar and months of lessons before I decided that while I liked to listen to classical guitar, I didn't really like playing it.) More importantly, you don't know that you're going to actually play it, because life is busy and there's always more things to do than there is time. So spending as little money as possible is the way to go. Save your pennies now, and as you're learning, and then spend them later when you've decided that you're an addict. But even then: buy used.

To minimize the money you spend, you want to buy used. Get the best used mandolin money can buy, try to get a case or gig bag along with it, and don't forget that you're going to need an electronic tuner.

I have a non-name cheap, bonded-top P.O.S. that I bought for $40, changed the strings, did my own set up, and have used for years. It's not my principal mandolin by any means ... not even my second or third ... but it sits in my office for long conference calls and it goes with me when I go camping. It ain't pretty, but it's OK.

[Angry Possum]

@Mike Romkey again, thanks so much. Please view my email I just sent you.

[Alfons]

Lot's of good advice here so far. I agree that a used instrument can be a great way to go if you can find the right deal, and whatever you get make sure it's set up so it's playable.

For a new mando at about $200 I was recently surprised by a Recording King RAM-3-TS Dirty 30s A-Style Mandolin. (I sent you a PM with a link to the one I played.) It's what Cary described as a pressed top, and is laminates. Especially considering all that, I thought the one I played felt and sounded quite nice. Best of luck with your search, and enjoy playing it!