What First Mandolin To Get?

[pickdropper]

There was a thread about Mandolins on the LPF the other day, but I think I might be a few more Mandolin players here. And since the other site is down......

Basically, I am looking to pickup a good starter mandolin. My gf is getting me one for my bday and I have a budget of ~$500. I may stretch to $600 for a better one, but can't really go much higher. Obviously, Gibsons are out of the picture.

The three I have been looking at are a Michael Kelly Legacy FS, a Tacoma M1 (or maybe used M2), or a used Kentucky KM-675. All of these have solid spruce tops, with solid maple backs and sides. The Tacoma is the only one made in America, but it also has a bolt-on neck, which seems a bit funky on a mandolin.

If you were buying a first mandolin, what would you personally pick out? (It doesn't have to be from the three listed above) I can't really play any of these before buying, so I feel like I am flying blind a bit. Thanks for any help you can provide..

-Dave

[hank]

given your limitations, I'd pick up the Kentucky or the MK. I haven't play a MK, but good words are out there regarding them. Without being derogatory, the Tacoma has no life for bluegrass music. It may be fine for other work though.

hank

[Nelson F]

Hey Hank!
why not a Lloyd Loar??

:D :D :D :D :D

[pickdropper]

Originally posted by hank
given your limitations, I'd pick up the Kentucky or the MK. I haven't play a MK, but good words are out there regarding them. Without being derogatory, the Tacoma has no life for bluegrass music. It may be fine for other work though.

hank

Thanks for the reply, Hank. If I may ask, what did you think of the Kentucky's that you have played? Both the Kentucky and the MK are made in Korea, and the MK is cheaper, even though the Kentucky is used. I am wondering if the Kentucky is of better quality, or if MK brings a similar quality piece to the table for a lower price because of direct sales.

[pickdropper]

Originally posted by Nelson F
Hey Hank!
why not a Lloyd Loar??

:D :D :D :D :D

I'm just a couple zeros short, Nelson. :wah :lol

[hank]

The MK and Kentucky are probably made in the same factory. I wouldn't be afraid of the MK. hank

[pickdropper]

Hank, thanks for taking the time to reply. I appreciate it.

[Bolero]

hey, this is good info; I want to get a mandolin too.

all I have so far is a stupid Bellaleica......actually, it's growing on me.....but it sure ain't no mandolin!!

[Bolero]

wait a minute......I DO have a mandolin!!!

I just dug it out.....it's an old, cheap Russian thing, but it's teardrop shaped & has 4 sets of strings!!

[Bolero]

how do you tune these things?

are they the same as a banjo? or a violin?

[pickdropper]

Same as a violin. GDAE. Sort of a backwards guitar.

[Bolero]

http://members.rogers.com/111269/mando.mp3

actually, it sounds ok, aside from the fact it's not in tune & I can't play :)

I need to get some strings though, it's missing the top 2. I think there's a buzz in there somewhere too.....

thx pickdropper!!

[Bob Mc]

Howdy; I've been at mandolin for only a year and have bought and resold 5 so far trying to find a good first one. I settled on a Mid Missouri Celtic style (not a BG machine I'm afraid) but I was able to get the wider neck(1.25") I need. I have worked for the past ten years in a repair shop and have worked on the Kentucky and MK lines. The 2 MKs, and I admit that's not a huge sample were generally inferior to the Kentuckys as far as frets, inlay. They sounded very similar though. I 'd be careful about buying one without playing it. Sheesh will I ever shutup?