I fancy getting myself a Mandolin

[gary mac]

Any tips/pointers, as to decent makes, what to look for, what to avoid etc.

[Cat Burrito]

I've been playing mandolin since around 2005 and the one I've had since 2007 is stunning. It is made my Rally who are an Eastern budget make. It's all solid which helps rather than Fender's cheap plywood efforts. That said you can pick a plywood jobbie up cheap enough and sell it on if you want it to take off. The Ozark stuff is great but you pay more for the name (my Rally one was made in the same factory but doesn't have the name).

Personally I'd go for something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spruce-Top-Savannah-SF-100-F-Style-Mandolin-Sunburst-Includes-Case-/181052763440?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item2a2795ed30

but there are a lot of sub £100 (£50 even) that would get you out the starting blocks. Something solid top is definitely going to sound sweeter and consider a built in pickup if you fancy taking it around the open mic nights to busk along with some folk or bluegrass.

[gary mac]

Thanks for that Tim, very helpful. Will check out the one you have and the other link.

[paul_5]

I had a round backed Romanian one that I bought for about £90 in roughly 2003. Then I got married and we had kids, and they turned it into mandolin segments.

[TheGreek]

There's one here for £75 - not even a couple of weeks fag/beer money..

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/231334-harley-benton-mandocaster-reduced-to-l75/

[gary mac]

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1394748626' post='2394883']
There's one here for £75 - not even a couple of weeks fag/beer money..

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/231334-harley-benton-mandocaster-reduced-to-l75/"]http://basschat.co.u...reduced-to-l75/[/url]
[/quote]

Yes, was looking at the ad earlier. Think I fancy something more traditional but it is tempting for that dosh.

[oggiesnr]

If you're going to play in an loud, amplified band then I'd go down the mandocaster route.

Other than that, at the budget end they're much of a muchness but go somewhere where they have a few to choose from. Check that the action is comfortable for you (I like mine super low) and check for fret buzz up the neck.

steve

[gary mac]

Thanks for the info Steve.

My local store only has a couple, one being an Epiphone and the other a Stagg. Maybe I'll have to travel a bit.

On the plus side, I now have a mandolin case, my lovely wife got me one for my birthday yesterday. So this will spur me on to find something to put in it

[lowlandtrees]

Went to an instrument building course and made one. The stuff that I learned was invaluable as a guitarist and got myself a really nice instrument. Tried a guitar and got myself a really expensive bucket of firewood.

[gary mac]

[quote name='lowlandtrees' timestamp='1395870396' post='2407544']
Tried a guitar and got myself a really expensive bucket of firewood.
[/quote]

[discreet]

They're a waste of time, really. I just use a very sharp knife - a lot easier to wash up, too.

Edited March 28, 2014 by discreet

[gary mac]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1396011804' post='2408988']
They're a waste of time, really. I just use a very sharp knife - a lot easier to wash up, too.
[/quote]

[col.decker]

I'm bassing in a Folk band atm (no don't laugh) and our 2 mandolin players seem to rate 'Shippey' as a good go to brand

[gary mac]

I've actually made a purchase now but thanks for the input