A few questions

[BransonMan]

first i would like to say thank you to scott, for allowing me in

second..i hope i say nothing thats advertising...im not a spammer

third...here is the story that brought me here


i come from a long line of musicians...but it seems the ability skipped my generation...i cant play (well not yet)...about 23 years ago i melted my dads mandolin...set it on top of the kerosene stove....with the new stove was fancy shut off and on when it was right temperature....well i never moved the case...room got cold..heater comes on...hints melted case and mandolin....well he hasnt played since....his 50th birthday is a month away....his older brother my uncle died 2 weeks ago....we had a grave side jam....and then carried on at my other uncles house after the funeral....with the lose hitting so deep...it seemed my father was even at a deeper lose not having his mandolin to play...im thinking this would be a great 50th birthday present....so here i am...i know nothing about mandolins because i was so young when this happened and he never had another one....he wouldnt even play the auto harp or dulcimer....

so i google mandolin...hints how i came here.....also with my google search...i found a place called musicians friend...i have ran all over town lookin at mandolins today...seems to be more than i am aware to them..so i came here to ask...what do i need to look for...any suggestions....i called my uncle in springfield (who plays the banjo)..and he gives me musicians friend phone number...froma catalog he has...so i figure thats probably the place to check out....im lookin to stay preferably under $200...i dont wanna waste money on a peiece of #### either...so any help would be of great value....thxs for taking the time to read this

Brandon

Hi Brandon. I'm doing my third edit on this message. I originally suggested another mandolin but I see that Musicians Friend has a 60 day delivery schedule on that model.

From Musicians Friend (only because you mentioned them and I've never had any problems with them and they should ship fast). You can get an Epiphone MM-30 mandolin for $149.00 (free shipping). You can also get an Epiphone Case for this mandolin for 59.00 (the shipping will be free if you order it at the same time). The mandolin shows in stock, the case is due in today according to their website).

One last thing, I don't know how old you were when his mandolin was cooked. As much as you might feel bad about it you really can't be blamed for something you knew nothing about. I'm sure you didn't know that heat would damage the mandolin. We all have to be responsible for out own musical instruments. There are many of us here that ruined our own instruments over the years by leaving them in the trunk of a car or next to a window where the sun came through. It's nice to do this for your father but don't let the guilt tear you up.

I hope your Dad appreciates what you're doing and good luck.

[JEStanek]

After you purchase an instrument from Musicians Friend take it to a relative or a guitar shop / whatever and have the mando set up for your dad. They should adjust the nut and bridge so the string height is comfortable and ensure the bridge placement is correct to give goood intonation. You should also have them swap out the strings. Be sure to include some decent heavy picks and a tuner. That's a great gift for your dad.

Jamie

Hey, his Dad gets to do some of the fun stuff

[red7flag]

Branson,
I applaud your wonderful approach. While it does not fix the old wrong (only God and time do that), it makes your dads future open to music again. It is an action that stands on its own as beautiful. I am sure your father will be moved by your effort. I commend you.
Tony

[BransonMan]

i hope he is as pleased as you guys think he will be ...i think i like that idea diego stated first..with the Kentucky KM-340S....i think that is the one he said the first time....up on further inquiring to my mother...dad is unaware that it was me ...i guess he has been blaming her for it being by the heater vent...and believes that is what caused it....

this all comes from the fact i play poker..and everytime i win 1500 or more i invest into something....that in itself makes me a winner....just incase i decide to go broke...i have something they cant take away from me.....i bought my computer first...cant play poker without it..closest casino is 3 hours away...then i bought my car..then my boat....i think this mandolin will be a great investment and keepsake for years to come...plus the pleasuer im sure he will get out of recieving this from me (his only wasted son)..and the joy of playin again...i think this is worth every penny.....do yall agree this kentucky would be a good buy for the situation....and considering i will be driving right past Musicians friend on my way to topeka kansas to see my family...i wont have to wait for delivery...i can stop and pick it up on the way

Yes, that is what I suggested. The Kentucky 340S is a nice mandolin. I'm sure he'd be happy with it. If you've got time there are other retailers as well.

P.S. It wasn't your Mom's fault either.

Good luck.

[BransonMan]

i got plenty of time.....i am here because i think this is the place to learn about how and what to invest into this...so lay it all on me...im open to just about anything

[JEStanek]

If you can get closer to $1500 you could really impress him with an Eastman 615 from Gianna's Violins with an excellent set up already done on it. If you could afford that you may cut some purgatory time off for having your mom on the hook for his first mando. The Eastman 605 (A style) with similar appointments will save some money and sound great too.

Jamie

[bluegrassplayer]

I know that it is more expensive than what you were hoping for, but I hear that Mid-Missouri mandolins are a good quality mandolin. I have heard some excellent reviews on them.
Website

[BransonMan]

If you can get closer to $1500 you could really impress him with an Eastman 615 from Gianna's Violins with an excellent set up already done on it. If you could afford that you may cut some purgatory time off for having your mom on the hook for his first mando. The Eastman 605 (A style) with similar appointments will save some money and sound great too.

Jamie

WOW that is one hell of a piece right there....if my memmory hasnt completely failed me...that is very close to what his old mandolin looked like....makes me very curious what it was and what was the value on that thing

That is what is called an F-style mandolin, patterned after the Gibson F Models. Many people make copies (like the Eastman's). You can see the Gibsons at several places on the web but now you are entering a world well above your 200.00 price range. At the top of this page you should see a link for Gibson and a link for Janet Davis Music. Both will have pictures.

Is the melted carcass of the old mandolin still around?

[BransonMan]

unfortunately its gone....yes i have discovered this is much above my price range...but maybe ill just go with something cheap for now like the kentucky...or i could employ my brothers in this scenerio....but i think i rather get him something from just me for now..then maybe christmas ill go in with my brothers for a really nice one....will wait and see if he decides to play again or let it collect dust

Sometimes you need to do things by yourself just to prove a point. Hang in there.

[BransonMan]

another question...did u change your selection of kentucky to epiphone becase of budget or performance....i dont wanna get something that will play apart ..

[Tom C]

I'd go with Kentucky over Epiphone. Make sure the model has the "S" in it. This stands for solid wood. Not laminated.

The Kentucky has a delivery time listed on that site and the Epiphone was in stock and got you under the price level. The 340S is a solid top mandolin but then again so is the Epiphone.

The Kentucky 340S is still a better choice in my mind but if you need it fast don't hesitate to go for the other.

[BransonMan]

tell me what you guys think about this....



<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-F-STYLE-MANDOLIN-SOLID-CARVED-TOP-SHARP_W0QQitemZ280008457001QQihZ018QQcategoryZ
10179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-N....hosting</a>

Hi Brandon. These are basically cr@p. If you're looking for the F model with the scroll you need to pay more money. There are a lot of poorly made instruments being sold and ebay has a bunch of them.

[DryBones]

What kind of music do you think he will be playing? I wouldn't hesitate buying a used Mid-Mo($300-$400)for him just to re-ignite his mandolin interests and then maybe get an nicer F style later on if he decides to play again.

[BransonMan]

i believe i have rekindled something in the whole family.....just an update...i ended up waiting until christmas (im an online poker player..things went rough for abit)....luckily things went well in november and december...mom told me there isnt gonna be much of a christmas this year...i told her dont worry about it..i went all out(first time in 29 years i ever bought christmas)...i spent alot on christmas....but my family was worth every penny...and christmas was priceless just when everyone thought we was all done...i brought out the icing on the christmas cake...ariel my niece wanted a guitar...so i bought her one of those first act guitars from walmart and bought dad his mandolin..after all the packages were done..i brought out the last two presents...and in all my life i seen my dad cry only a couple times (funerals)...well everyone was crying by the time it was all said and done...a priceless memory....i believe it is a Hanes mandolin..was only $225...it sounded pretty nice when the shop owner played for me...i made him play everyone on the wall ...it has served its purpose well

on february first i received the call my dad had a heart attack..one hell of a tough call when you are 4 hours away from them....luckily after some time in critical care and another week in Intesive care..dad came home...and now he isnt sposed to do anything...but that mandolin sure looks like its gonna get played after all

i have myself decided to pick up the guitar...good god my fingers hurt...but im not gonna give up..i wanna play with my dad one day..and those days seem short now

Thxs a bunch guys

Brandon