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Thread: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

  1. #1
    Registered User BillyEllison's Avatar
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    Default Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    Hello all,
    Pretty new to the forum here but have been on mandolin cafe for some time now. Anyhow, today I found a Loar lm-520 for 350 dollars. I couldn’t pass it up. Does anyone know how they are or if that is a good value? Thank you in advance.

    BillyJack

  2. #2

    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    Figured I'd chime in here.... I've been hiding and watching for a while now. I have an LM-520. It is my first "real" mandolin. I've had it for about 5 years now, and like it pretty well. But honestly, I don't really have much to compare it to. I like the tone, and I guess the set up is pretty good. Its been a good mandolin for me to learn on for sure!

  3. #3
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    https://youtu.be/RavUMQYgnK8

    Check out the 520 in action.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  4. #4
    Registered User BillyEllison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    Wow that mandolin sounds great! He is much better than I am but I am glad to see how it could sound. Thank you for the response.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    I’ve really enjoyed mine for the 3 years or so I’ve had it. I haven’t played very many different mandolins. The only negative I have with it is the fretboard extension. My picking hand always wants to wander up to that spot causing the pick to tap on the fretboard.

  6. #6
    Registered User Mando Mort's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    I had a LM-520 for a couple of years and enjoyed it; however, I did sell it for $450 when I bought my Eastman 615md.
    "All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out." - Mark Twain

    Eastman MD615SB
    Martin D35
    Gibson SG

  7. #7

    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    I had a LM-520 for a couple of years and enjoyed it; however, I did sell it for $450 when I bought my Eastman 615md.

    How does the LM-520 compare to the MD-615?

  8. #8
    Registered User Mando Mort's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    I found the MD-615 to have a warmer, clear tone that I liked. I also preferred the feel of playing it better than the Loar. The Loar was good, but the Eastman was a definite step up.
    "All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out." - Mark Twain

    Eastman MD615SB
    Martin D35
    Gibson SG

  9. The following members say thank you to Mando Mort for this post:

    bakerk 

  10. #9

    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    Thanks Mando Mort! I've been considering something different and was wondering if the radius fretboard made that much of a difference in comfort/playability. Is it noticeable?

  11. #10
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    At more than twice the cost; it's no wonder that the 615 is a step up from the 520.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  12. #11
    Registered User BillyEllison's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    So I ended up taking the 520 back. I didn’t like it. I ended up finding a lm-400 for the same price that I got. It is noticeably better. Maybe just the set up.

  13. #12
    Registered User J Mangio's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    Quote Originally Posted by BillyEllison View Post
    So I ended up taking the 520 back. I didn’t like it. I ended up finding a lm-400 for the same price that I got. It is noticeably better. Maybe just the set up.
    The A style 400 is built the same as F style 700, less gold hardware...top of their line.
    2021 The Loar LM700 VS

  14. #13

    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    Could be both set up and tone....I've heard the LM 400 is comparable to their LM-600 or 700 F Style mandolins. Enjoy it!! This stuff is addictive!! And thanks for keeping us posted!!

  15. #14

    Default Re: Loar lm-520 New mandolin

    My first mandolin was an LM 520 and it was great for a beginner. I needed something with a pickup when I moved up a bit in quality but the 520 into a mic served me well for a while.

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