I need a new mandolin

Subject: I need a new mandolin
From: Inukshuk
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 02:34 PM

I've just had an offer I can't refuse for my old Univox so I'm sniffing around for a really decent F Model replacement. Willing to go up to three grand. Considering Kentucky Bella Voce KM 800, Washburn M6SW, Fender FM63S & EpiphoneMM-50. Any other good factory builts out there? Any advice on the above named instruments? Your comments are much appreciated, thank you.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 02:48 PM

Three grand in what currency? You could buy one of each of the mandos you've mentioned for $3000 USD.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: mandotim
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 02:52 PM

We live in a golden age of luthiery at the moment, and there are any number of fine instruments in this price bracket. I assume we are talking $3000, rather than £3000? Even so, you can do a lot better than the mandolins you mention. For starters, take a look at Eastman; you can have a new top of the line F model at this price, with flame maple and all the trimmings. Hand-made in China, and much prized among those in the know. A second hand Gibson or Flatiron F might be within reach, and there are lots of Czech Republic builders (Prucha, Lebeda, Krishot, Holoubek etc) who make fine F styles. For something less traditional, check out Rigel. Have a look at the classifieds at www.mandolincafe.com for ideas. Personally, I wouldn't decide in advance whether I wanted an F or an A style (I have both). You can get a lot more tone, volume and quality in an A style for the money, and it is perfectly possible to play bluegrass (or anything else) on an A style. At $3000 you should be able to pick up a really good Gibson A5 or equivalent.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Inukshuk
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 02:57 PM

Canadian dollars. I live in Southern Ontario. Those four were the top of the line that I could find on the Net without going into outrageous Gibsons or hand mades. Just looking for something that's sweet and barks and looks pretty (also bullet proof).

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:01 PM

Also - Where are you located Inukshuk ? That would make a difference in the stores you have an access to. Availability of brand names has a lot to do with it - do you want something new or used? My guess is there is a Weber dealer near you. I own a Weber Fern and I'm very happy with it. Weber, Flatiron, Collings, Rigal - there are a lot of choices in that pricepoint.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:06 PM

The 12th Fret in Toronto has several Gibsons well under 3,000 and a Weber Yellowstone for about 3500.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:13 PM

Mandola?

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Inukshuk
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:21 PM

Great advice. Thank you Tim and Wesley. By a strange coincidence, the guy buying my Univox just came back from a trip to the 12th Fret. Makes me a bit suspicious that he didn't spot anything better. Oh well, it's old, beat up, needing it's third refretting. I'm looking for a young, pretty thing.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Inukshuk
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:24 PM

No thanks Les. I have an excellent hand made bear claw mandola. Loud and sassy.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:29 PM

Sounds good. How about one of those things with long necks and some pairs in octaves, they are supposed to be good fun?

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: bigchuck
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:36 PM

I've been playing a Michael Kelly Legacy O for the past year that I like a lot. We sell them for around $750. I have also heard excellent reviews of the Eastmans, although they are hard to find unless you're willing to order off the net. Street prices range from $ 1200 th 1600 apparently. Check Elderly and the forun at the Mandolin Cafe (also the classifieds).

Sandy

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Cluin
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:37 PM

How about an excellent custom built from an Ontario luthier?

Try Glen Reid in Burk's Falls (near Sundridge).

Glen builds distinctive, excellent guitars, mandolins, acoustic basses and other mando-thingies. A band mate of mine has both a mandola and a parlour guitar by Glen and both are brilliant instruments.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: iancarterb
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:52 PM

I have played all (I think) of the F AND A mandolins from Eastman, and I think they are without exception bargains. The F models all in the 1500-2600 U$ range, and some of the A models as low as 700, up to about 1200, as I recall. They are loud, playable and beautiful. You are a ways from Dusty Strings in Seattle, where I found the examples I touched, but Eastman has a website and I bet Canadian dealers. Their archtop guitars are similarly excellent.
Carter

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: number 6
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:01 PM

Garrison guitars out of Newfoundland are now making mandolins ... I haven't heard one yet, but I'm certainly interested in them.

sIx

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: iancarterb
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:12 PM

I should have mentioned the Tacoma M1 I have carried on my bicycle commute for 7 or 8 years, even in the challenging Puget Sound winters, and I often play it in preference to my pre 1920 A3. A REAL bargain- under $600 dollars, loud enough to be heard, eminently playable. and a finish tougher than a boiled owl - it still looks good,and sound predictably age-improving even after the transportational indignities I have subjected it to.
Carter

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 04:19 PM

Believe me, I am checking out all of these fine leads. Just turned 71 so the new mandolin only needs to last for 30 or 40 years, but it will have to remember all the tunes.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Grab
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:11 AM

At that price, why not go hand-made...?

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: GUEST,Pensioner with no £££$$$ to spare
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:22 AM

or why not check and compare good quality mass produced Chinese made
mandolins which can easily be found for much less than $100

[Rovers , Johnsons, Washburn, etc..]

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Charmion
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 08:27 AM

I can recommend Peter Cox of Midhurst, Ontario, as a custom builder who could do something very nice for you. I have a fancy arch-top guitar and a plain (but elegant) octave mandolin by him, and both are excellent well-engineered instruments with clear, distinctive, beautiful voices. I don't know if he has ever built an F-style mandolin, but he could certainly do a K if he wanted to.

"Maker of fine hand-crafted guitars, mandolins, citterns, dulcimers and traditional mountain instruments." Makes a variety of Celtic Instruments including bouzoukis and citterns. Also guitars, flat-top or arched, with or without cutaway. Other instruments like dulcimers, banjos, mandolins, etc...

Peter Cox
Midhurst, Ontario
Canada

Phone: [phone]

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 10:42 AM

Although I don't like ' F ' hole mandolins in general, [ I have a Gibson which is a dog ] I've played the Eastman models at the Music Room in Cleckheaton and frankly you won't get a better F model for the same money.

eric

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 12:58 PM

In Southern Ontario the Twelfth Fret has a great assortment of mandolins by many different makers. I love Eastmans (men?) and think they far outshine Michael Kellys, Kentuckys, Epiphones or Fenders, but I've played Oliver Apitius mandolins and, though I'll never afford one, if I had $3000, I'd sure check him out. As far as F vs A models go, I'd rather have the beautiful flamed maple back, sides and neck on my Eastman 605 than the scroll I'd have gotten on a F model for the same price.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 03:08 PM

Or, if you'd like a hobby and you're handy with a plane and chisel, you could try a kit from Stew-Mac.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Inukshuk
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 09:33 PM

Thank you all for taking the time to assist me in this quest. So far I've found nothing that can touch my old Univox, but I am certainly trying. Pretty well exhausted the local music stores. Friends of mine are heading to the 12th fret tomorrow so I'll be able to get a first hand report on what is available there.

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: number 6
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 10:20 PM

The 12th fret will sell medium to high priced items only. No cheapo junk in that store.

Here's what they'll find   12th fret

sIx

Subject: RE: I need a new mandolin
From: Ernest
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:30 AM

It will be getting reeeeeaaaaaaally bad when you need an old (=vintage) mandolin....
Happy hunting
Ernest