who has bought one of these, and what are they like?
https://www.guitarkit.shop/collectio...-6071551099040
who has bought one of these, and what are they like?
https://www.guitarkit.shop/collectio...-6071551099040
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
The IV F style kit?
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I have been offering A and F style rims and necks for almost 10 years...
kterry
And don’t omit the Sunburst and Fern Inlay by the Numbers accessory kit.
Based on this thread I watched a couple of Building a Mandolin Kit videos on YouTube.
Presuming that, since these people have a full wood shop with pro grade tools, they know what they’re doing, the results were… ugly. Just a really ugly, unattractive instrument.
Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)
And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.
I think applying finish is one of the hardest skills in woodworking. I'm just a hobbyist but have yet to find an "easy" finish but I usually chalk that up to user errors I think, for most people, the aim in building a mandolin should be to enjoy the process but not expect a high end instrument when you're done.
2020 Northfield Big Mon
2016 Skip Kelley A5
2011 Weber Gallatin A20
2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
2019 Pono Flattop Octave
Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
And a few electrics
I bought one of those on ebay a few years back, but with the neck attached, for ~$120. Basically I had to apply a finish and attach the hardware. It was kind of fun. The top and back on mine are arched and I think the linked item is for the same product. For what it is, at $120 it's not terrible. It has some funny build quirks- for instance the kerfing is just a thin strip of bamboo. But it's all good I'm not afraid to leave it in the truck in a travelite. The sound & playability are not as bad as they should be- better than a laminate Kay I own, for example. I would call it an excellent first instrument on an extreme budget.
Funny thing, I was surfing ebay not long after I got it and saw someone selling the same product, assembled & with a sunburst as a "vintage mandolin, unknown maker" for something like $2700. I certainly hope no one fell for that.
2004 Gibson F5 Alan Bibey Signature Series
c1930 Gibson A
Eastman MDO 305
2017 RAG F #29
Kay A
NoName "finish it yourself" Ebay beater F
Ken sources his F kits from an unknown source but if you're looking for some experience before you start that kit consider a Saga AM-10 A style kit. You can get some useful experience and still send up with a decent solid wood mandolin for a little more than the one you're looking at. Here is one source but they should be available elsewhere as well.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Looks like IV is selling the A style kit for $150.
where can I find those at? if this is repeated my apologies.
https://www.internationalviolin.com/...in-kit-a-model
The IV A style kit is the Saga kit. If he has it in stock that would be a good price.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
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