$500 and under mandolin reccomendations?

[charam14]

Hey all, so I picked up a mandolin last summer and have been playing it since, but it's an incredibly cheap thing and I'm hoping to replace it. I was hoping to find something under 500 but I'm not really sure where to start. I've heard names like Kentucky and Loar tossed around but I'm pretty clueless. I've looked around the forum and you guys seem very knowledgeable so I figured I'd ask, is there anything you guys could recommend me? I don't have a preference for A or F style, just looking for something decent. Thanks for the help

[OldGus]

Yeah I got a recommendation this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-...ustic-mandolin and this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/acces...-mandolin-case. With the coupon it comes to 362.98. I played one recently and liked it better than the Lm500(newer version) that I had. I sold that because I didn't like the way the tone bars were done although it did have a nice tone. In my opinion the Lm220(X braced) is their best model but I have only played the two. It was well balanced between chords and lead runs and seemed to have acceptably good tuners. I will probably get one myself. Here is one being played http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwNWxwYTaQQ. They have fair prices at that store too if you feel so inclined...they seem like nice folks. Anyway, whether I'm right or wrong about it being their *best* model, it is a nice *basic* good sounding mandolin that should meet your needs well and I can attest to personally.

[Dave Weiss]

Give Mike Dulak of Big Muddy Mandolins a call and see if he's got anything in your price range. Or wait and see if one pops up in the classifieds (usually about $350-400). I don't think you can do much better...

[Phil1580]

I loved my Kentucky KM150, which is well under your budget at $250 new. Check the classifieds as well. I would suggest buying from a Cafe sponsored dealer that does a proper setup though, as opposed to a Musician's Friend/Guitar Center type place.

[OldGus]

The one I played was at a Guitar Center and it played well. There was a used Km900 there that needed a setup bad. I bought a Fullerton Gloucester from Music123 and never felt it needed a setup. Buying used on the cafe unless it has recently been serviced is probably no better in that department and it would be hard to go too much cheaper than one of these Lm220's new, just saying. They also have a 45 day return policy minus shipping. I do agree with supporting the Mom&Pop type stores like the one displayed in that video. I played a Mid Missouri(Big Muddy) alongside an Eastman 615 a few years ago and preferred the Mid Missouri, there are definitely some good mandolins coming from Missouri. It seems to be a good state for Bluegrass Music in general. One good thing about those is you can get them in Walnut and other great woods, right Dave? Here is a KM150 being played http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osur8EdUJGc, a Lm220 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fsz27bM_7EM and a Big Muddy M-1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiCGpcTRkGw. You might want to check some other woods on the Big Muddies, the tone definitely varies. Here's a M-0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h7MIC1pD_s.

[Dave Weiss]

I've currently got a Big Muddy walnut with a cedar top and another that's mahogany with a spruce top. Mike also makes them with maple or rosewood and I had a mandola that was made from koa. One of my favorites was the mahogany with a mahogany top. I like the Big Muddy/Mid-Mo's because they sound great, play very easily and don't require a lot of set-up/adjustment. They're just very versatile mandolins that are put together well and last for a good long time with the proper care, kinda like an old Timex watch...

[charam14]

Thank you for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it. I'll definitely look into everything you guys recommended. One step closer!

[Jackin]

Hey I have bought mine a week before and that is working nicely but I am not having a perfect hand on it and learning going on. People are so bothered about the price of it because they are looking for bigger one. I got a small one couple of days before with decent price from Overstock using its discount http://www.ezcouponsearch.com/Overst...ns_cm_569.aspx and it cost me to $189 after getting discount. So, every one can try for this discount and get a reasonable Mandolin with reasonable price.

[roysboy]

Eastman MD 305 A style . 425.00 in Canada and on most US websites. I bought this over several Kentuckys , traded an Epiphone , played a few higher end mandos .( Someone called this a poor man's Collings MT . A friend has the Collings MT and I couldn't agree more with that observation )...less and more expensive ...the sound was not there for me in the Kentuckys ..characterless ..flat . The Eastman just jumped out with a sweet , clean , clear tone ...even and woody...and the radiused fretboard made it a no brainer when it came to ease of playing . I've had it nearly two months now and I'm more impressed each time I pick it up ( which is VERY frequently ). If this 425.00 beauty has yet to " open " ..WOW ..what a bargain and what a great sound .....

[rico mando]

Save another 119,500 and get your self a good Gibson Loyd Loar . you won't be disappointed

[Jim Ferguson]

Charam14.........the advice already given re: Kentucky KM150 or the Loar Lm220 is spot on. The Eastman 305 is nice to. Honestly......I think you'd be happy with any of those mandos.........for what you want to spend they are great choices.
Peace,

[Texas]

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...lkmusician-com

I just bought this from Richard at FolkMusician which I'm pretty sure is a forum sponsor. It was $499 including setup and case.