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05 Mar 05 - 11:15 AM (#1427345) Subject: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage I play guitar, I am learning banjo, and I have dabbled in mandolin. Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that a "beginner instrument" is never a good idea. I am having trouble finding new mandolins, of decent quality, which cost less than $2000. The only names that I have heard have been Gibson and Breedlove and I can find few retailers for them. Calling up Mandolin Bros. is still an option. (I live on Long Island and go to school in New Paltz, NY.) What do you think? Thanks. Russ |
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05 Mar 05 - 11:30 AM (#1427356) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Spot Well...you are dead right about "starter" instruments...That word generally means "crap"....!! Do you want an F-style, A-style or Celtic or .....?? There'sa few horses-for-courses out there! I'd have thought there were many makers in your part of the world with suitable items..Have you tried "Weber"..."Collins".. (I have an MT2), Tacoma...Fursch... Prusch.. Try "The Acoustic Music Co" in UK....He has more than Mando Bros in stock... Go to Mandolin Cafe ..Fylde Guitars and Oakwood Instrumentsin UK..really the list is endless if you do a bit of research...Use "Ask Jeeves" etc...Out there is waiting your ideal piece of kit... Good luck and dont give up.... Regards to all.....Spot |
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05 Mar 05 - 12:12 PM (#1427380) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Richard Bridge You should be able to get a workmanlike Kentucky flatiron for about £300 GBP, and even a Hathaway (English, handmade) for double that. Or go to Ireland and try for a Docherty. But even if you are better than a beginner do you really need a virtuoso instrument? If not, why not try a Crafter? Their bowlbacks have many admirers, and they plug well too. |
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05 Mar 05 - 12:35 PM (#1427394) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Spot Oops...should have spelt it "Collings" with a "G"...!! Try Washburn, Sigma, Rigel....I'm sure for $2k you'll get summat excellent...(Actually, dont try Washburn... I had a bad experience with an F-style some years ago...the tuner buttons broke twice in a fortnight on a new one...!).Right...got to go now...eating Mexican with my mando player tonight and already full o' preprandial gins and tonics!!! Just got time for some old English ale(s) bfore dining...!! Enjoy your quest.... Regards to all....Spot |
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05 Mar 05 - 12:36 PM (#1427397) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: open mike http://www.mandolincafe.com/ well i looked up the Gilchrist mentioned on the mandolin cafe and it is 16,000 so you probaly want to look furth3er!! There are 48 mando family instruments listed at ELDERLY several under $1,000, a few under $500. good luck. I have a Weymann Mandolute, and am quite happy with it, My friend Larry at http://www.thinmanmusic.com in the S.F. East Bay Area has one for sale here: http://www.thinmanmusic.com/mandolins%20&%20mandolas.htm http://www.thinmanmusic.com/mandolinpics.htm http://www.thinmanmusic.com/mandolins,Mandolas,octave%20mandolins,%20bouzouki.htm |
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05 Mar 05 - 12:53 PM (#1427418) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker you can get very reasonable quality, decent sounding far eastern made mandolins for much less than £100 if you know what to look for and shop around.. they're certainly not crap and plenty good enough for beginners and experienced players.. heres a starter.. a very good to deal with ebay seller who specialises in good quality 'budget price' mandos http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZsafetywoman67 |
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05 Mar 05 - 02:45 PM (#1427469) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: cool hand Tom thats right punk,i bought my GF a johnson F style mandolin for peanuts it has an ebony fretboard inlays ect and it sounds great with plenty of volume too.I once had a kentucky mando once and this Johnstone is right up with it. Regards Tom |
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05 Mar 05 - 02:51 PM (#1427473) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: mooman Richard, Terry Docherty is based in Newcastle (as in North Shields) not Ireland (I play a Docherty octave mandola!). Thespionage, I can vouch for Davis as an excellent US-based no-frills reasonably priced mandolin, sold exclusively I think though Mass Street Music, Kansas. Chris Baird makes very nice decent priced flattops. The link is to a current ad of his on the excellent Mandolin Cafe site. Another great builder is Brian Dean in Toronto. In fact, if you go to "builders" on the Mandolin Cafe, you can browse the websites of dozens of mandolin makers, both Stateside and in Europe and elsewhere. In Europe there are numerous great builders I could thoroughly recommend within your price range but I assume you're in the USA. Peace, and happy hunting! moo |
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05 Mar 05 - 04:28 PM (#1427520) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Bee-dubya-ell Young mando wizard Josh Pinkham plays a Kelly mandolin. His dad, Jeffrey sells a line of mandos at http://www.elvenwoodmandolins.com/ that I suspect are the same as Kellys but with his own brand on them. If you're not familiar with Josh, follow the "Meet Josh Pinkham" link. And here's my favorite Josh Pinkham photo. CLICK! Yep, that's Chris Thile, David Grisman and Mike Marshall. And they don't play with Josh just because he's cute. The boy cooks. |
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05 Mar 05 - 04:38 PM (#1427532) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage I would be going with an A-style (and I believe it would be wisest for me to purchase within the United States, being that I live there). The aesthetics that I would like would be something like Breedlove's Oregon or the Gibson that Parker Posey used in A Mighty Wind (I am sorry if that references offends anyone). Thanks for all your help so far. Russ |
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05 Mar 05 - 05:54 PM (#1427590) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: mooman Whoops...Brian Dean is in Montreal not Toronto! moo |
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05 Mar 05 - 06:05 PM (#1427599) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: mooman thespionage, If you like that style, you might like to take a look at Laura Ratcliff's A models at $1700. Peace moo |
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06 Mar 05 - 12:22 AM (#1427794) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage I am shocked at the price of the Elvenwood mandolins; considering that some of them are 10-20% of the price of most mandolins on the market, I'm a little skeptical. What do you think? Also: by Kelly I believe you mean Michael Kelly. Where would I look online for pricing? Russ |
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06 Mar 05 - 01:02 AM (#1427803) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: goodbar hey! i love my 250 dollar guitar. |
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06 Mar 05 - 01:11 AM (#1427804) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Bee-dubya-ell Elderly Instruments carries Michael Kelly mandos. Click. Their prices seem pretty comparable to what Jeff is charging for the ElvenWood brand considering that he's probably buying them directly from the plant in Korea or China whereas "Michael Kelly" (there is no real Michael Kelly, just a company name) is importing them and selling them to Elderly so your getting two markups instead of just one. Odd thing about it, though, is that the instrument Josh plays has "Kelly" inlaid in script on the headstock whereas the Michael Kelly instruments have an "MK" inlay. Maybe his is just an older instrument. I did a Google search for "Kelly mandolin" omitting "Michael" and found no other builders named Kelly. All I know for sure is that Josh's instrument sounds great and he loves it. Gibson gave him one of their top-of-the-line mandos with the stipulation that he be seen in public playing it. He liked the Kelly so much more that he wound up sending the Gibson back because he couldn't fulfill his end of the agreement. |
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06 Mar 05 - 01:34 AM (#1427807) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Bee-dubya-ell Aha! I poked around in Josh Pinkham's website a little more and had a look at the Mando-zine "Children's Roundtable Interview". His mando is a "Kelley" with the extra "e". He says in the interview that, at the time, the guy had only built five instruments. I had Googled "Kelley mandolin" but didn't see anythig about a luthier by that name. Must just not yet have a website. |
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06 Mar 05 - 02:45 AM (#1427819) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage Now that I know the truth about Kelly with one "e," I am not as excited about their product, unless I am mistaken. What's a good name of mandolin with a price that, I would prefer, is less than $1000 that could last me my whole life. I love my Maple Mountain banjo from Gold Tone and that retails at $900 (I got it for less, thank goodness). Again, many thanks for the help thus far. Russ |
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06 Mar 05 - 03:19 AM (#1427826) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: mandotim Hi Russ! Welcome to the murky world of MAS; Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome! Be warned, one will not be enough. I have a lot of mandolins, but the best all-rounders in your price bracket I've played lately are Rigels and Eastmans. Rigel a-naturals are not all that common, but are available. Personally I would stretch the budget and look for a Rigel A+ Deluxe. Loud, sweet, and plays like butter. Eastmans are made in China, by the same guys who make really good violins and archtop guitars. They've transferred their skills seamlessly to mandolin making, and their A models are an absolute steal at the price. I played one that blew away a very nice Collings at four times the price. If you are looking for that old-timey sound, then look around for a teens Gibson A, although these are starting to get pricey for a good example. Good hunting! Tim |
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06 Mar 05 - 03:20 AM (#1427827) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: jonm I have a Fylde Octavius, which cost less than £500 (GB). Teardrop shape with round soundhole. I didn't want an F-style - I'm left handed and play it upside-down. Build quality is as near perfect as I can tell. Tone is wonderful and it is loud. Cedar and monogamy. The variation in tone caused by moving your picking position or attack makes it much more versatile (I use it for English, Celtic and American folk tunes, some old-time and bluegrass, song accompaniment and rock-type soloing in an acoustic band) - some of the F-styles are one trick ponies, IMHO. Roger Bucknall at Fylde is a great bloke and will happily talk through your requirements, then ship anywhere. I stil have GAS, but it's cured my MAS for life. Hope this helps. |
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06 Mar 05 - 03:51 AM (#1427845) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Richard Bridge I stand corrected on location, but Docherty mandos are still v. nice. |
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06 Mar 05 - 06:59 AM (#1427920) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: mooman Agreed Richard! Richard (but a new Docherty, that's if he's still making any more, would probably stretch the $2000 limit) |
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06 Mar 05 - 12:00 PM (#1428111) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Richard Bridge Leadfingers, how much did yours cost? |
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06 Mar 05 - 12:33 PM (#1428136) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage Rigels are beautiful, but my most expensive instrument (out of acoustic guitar, electric guitar and banjo - all good instruments) is less than half of the price of most of the Rigels. Eastmans seem more of a likely contender...what is the general opinion on Eastmans? Thanks. Russ |
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06 Mar 05 - 06:28 PM (#1428371) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Mark Ross You can get an old Martin A model mandolin for under a grand, check out George Gruhn's site. Mark Ross |
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06 Mar 05 - 06:37 PM (#1428378) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: wilco I have a small music store in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I don't sell on the internet; people with real stores can't compete with the internet "stores." I buy all of the instruments that I can, with finish flaws. I have about twelve Michael Kelly F models with finish flaws. These are the top of their line. and they sell for $650.00 (US), plus case, and shipping costs. List Prices are $1100.00 to $1400.00 US. These are great mandolins. Steve Daugherty Mountain Music |
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06 Mar 05 - 09:31 PM (#1428479) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage How good of a name is Michael Kelly? Russ PS - Thanks for the offer Steve. |
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07 Mar 05 - 06:34 AM (#1428653) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Grab You mean that NY really doesn't have *anywhere* selling folk instruments for people playing Celtic music? That can't be right, surely? Graham. |
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07 Mar 05 - 06:51 AM (#1428666) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: mooman Michael Kelly instruments have a decent reputation and are built to good quality control in the Far East. Although they represent excellent value for money I would be inclined to say that, in your stated price range, you could probably do better however. Peace moo |
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07 Mar 05 - 08:19 AM (#1428721) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GLoux I think Mark's recommendation for an old Gibson A model is the best advice yet...although I don't think you'll find a bargain at Gruhn's. They are great instruments and they will hold their value. I would also recommend keeping an eye out for a Strad-o-lin. They're inexpensive and great "festival" instruments. -Greg |
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07 Mar 05 - 10:12 AM (#1428823) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Willie-O Look again GLoux: Mark said Martin A-style, not Gibson. And it's not a bad idea--the Martin instruments, which date anywhere from the 20's to (70's for sure, 80's???) are nice to play but undervalued because they are decidedly not bluegrass mandolins. (They don't "chop".) They are not powerhouses, but have lovely tone and guitar-like sustain. Great for Celtic and other tune-type playing. There ain't no one-stop shop, Thespionage. And as usual, you can find good ones in the lower price range, but I wouldn't order one sight unseen and expect it to be one of the one-in-ten $200 mandos that are great (i.e., that I like. It's that subjective.) Those Elvenwoods look like a good deal though, might be worthwhile ordering one of their "A-styles"--Gibson A-50 style to be precise, with F-holes as a cheap go-anywhere festival campfire instrument. (And if it really sucks, you can leave it in the campfire) Parsing their descriptions, though, I am a bit suspicious of the materials. Thier most expensive "Legend", an F-5 knockoff, specifies very clearly that the top and sides are solid, carved spruce and maple. The less expensive A's are described as "Arched spruce top" and "Mahogany back and sides" while the general description of the instrument says "this very solid classic A model mandolin." This kind of wordplay smacks of E-Bay style marketing, where all Ephiphones are made by Gibson and Sigmas are Martins. It's also clear, as Bee-dubya and others implied, that these mandolins are made somewhere in the Far East, most likely Korea. (Or off-chance, Mexico.) This is made clear by omission, because if they were made in the U.S, Elvenwood would say so. This doesn't mean they are not fine instruments, at least the higher-end ones. Their value to me would be closely linked to how good the company is about honouring its money-back guarantee and warranty programs. |
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07 Mar 05 - 11:03 AM (#1428872) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GLoux Whoops...thanks for correcting me, Willie-O...Martin Mandos are not nearly as valuable as Gibsons, though I'm not sure that makes them undervalued (how about "not overvalued"?). Your description of them is right on...they are very well made and nice looking instruments, but they just don't pack a punch...I think if Martin made better mandolins, they would not have stopped making them... Bottom line in all of this is to play every mandolin you can get your hands on, figure out what you like, and buy the best one you can afford. -Greg |
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07 Mar 05 - 11:08 AM (#1428876) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Mark Ross Actually, Martin did make a carved top mandolin, The Blue Sky Boys played with one, in a one photo I've seen. But for the money they might be a decent buy. Bill Monroe was said to have been impressed with Strad-o-lin mandolins, which are a hellova lot cheeper. Mark Ross |
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07 Mar 05 - 11:20 AM (#1428890) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: thespionage I wasn't playing to buy a $200 mandolin "sight unseen," don't worry. But I've never purchased an instrument that cost more than $1000 either. Optimally, I'd like the mandolin equivalent of my Gold Tone Maple Mountain banjo. Thanks for all the info. Russ |
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07 Mar 05 - 12:49 PM (#1428942) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GLoux Here's a |
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07 Mar 05 - 12:51 PM (#1428943) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GLoux link to an earlier thread on Stradolins. Why is the Submit Message button so close to the Make a link link? So clumsy clods like me can look stupid? -Greg |
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21 Aug 09 - 03:39 PM (#2705661) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GUEST The mandolin that Josh is/was playing was built by Thomas "Skip" Kelley of Thomasville, NC. I was at Merlefest with Skip when he first showed it to Josh. Josh used it in the mandolin contest there that year. Elven Wood is a line of mandolins spec'd by Josh father from one of the Pacific Rim companies. Nice enough, I guess, but definitely not the same. |
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21 Aug 09 - 05:36 PM (#2705728) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: PHJim I went to The Twelfth Fret in Toronto a few years ago to buy a Gibson A model that was advertised for $1200. When I got there I saw some Eastman mandolins hanging on the wall. I'd never heard of Eastman before, but I took the Gibson and a few Eastmans into the back room with my Washburn and played the same thing on all mandolins. An Eastman A model blew away the Washburn and the Gibson and it was $300 cheaper than the Gibson. I bought the Eastman and have never been sorry about it. A great mandolin at a great price. |
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21 Aug 09 - 10:06 PM (#2705870) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Willie-O As I was saying only four years ago, the Martin Mandolins ARE good instruments. But they are not bluegrass mandolins. Rather like flattop guitars that are not dreadnoughts, (and thus lack bluegrass cachet) this cuts down their resale value, but it doesn't mean they aren't great instruments. Sure wish I'd bought one for $300 when my local folklore centre decided to get it off the rack a couple of decades ago. Hesitation is fatal. W-O |
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22 Aug 09 - 03:26 AM (#2705983) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GUEST,Jon A guy I play with has a wood bodied Dobro Resonator mandolin from circa 1930. It sounds awesome. Does anyone have experience of more recent resonator mandolins? Can they recommend one to look out for? Thanks |
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23 Jan 10 - 12:27 AM (#2819138) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GUEST Skip Kelley is now selling mandolins through a place called Mandomutt.com. Here is a link to #24. I know Skip well. He puts his soul into his building. Great guy and fine mandolins. |
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23 Jan 10 - 12:29 AM (#2819140) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GUEST Sorry, Forgot to post the link http://www.mandomutt.com/products-page/new-arrivals/skip-kelley-f-5-sn-24 |
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23 Jan 10 - 07:00 PM (#2819907) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Rog Peek Eastman Mandolins Rog |
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23 Jan 10 - 08:41 PM (#2819971) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Wesley S Jon - If you're still around I own one of the brand new National mandolins. I love it. Feel free to send me a PM if you want more details. |
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24 Jan 10 - 02:05 PM (#2820440) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: Willie-O I just read PHJims post from August and whaddaya know--I jdid the same thing. Got an Eastman 505 at the Twelfth Fret in their November sale. Fantastic instrument, real live-sounding top and plays slicker n snot on a doorknob. A-50 style--my fave! W-O |
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13 Jun 11 - 07:35 AM (#3169790) Subject: RE: Buying Mandolins From: GUEST Currently in S.korea. Anyone know where Sigma Mandolin Factory is located? |