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quality starter mandolin?

#1 sumner77

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Posted 28 July 2008 - 03:25 AM

Greetings. Not sure this is the right part of the forum, but I'm interested in learning to play mandolin. I would appreciate any thoughts on a quality instrument to buy that isn't a huge investment. I'd like to buy something around $500, but could go higher if the tone or playability was truly much better. Thanks.

#2 TommyK

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Posted 29 July 2008 - 07:26 AM

Not much shakin' mandolinwise here at the gibson forum. Try mandolincafe.com. It's supported in part by Gibson and the mandoliners are thicker'n bugs on a bumper in June.

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#3 sumner77

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Posted 30 July 2008 - 08:28 AM

thanks TommyK

#4 grampa

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Posted 22 January 2009 - 09:36 AM

Johnson mandolins. Made in China but the one I have has a solid carved top, and back, excellent sound and only cost me $80. Check them out.

#5 coolinall

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Posted 22 January 2009 - 06:17 PM

Play guitar!Play fun!I got it for a long time

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#6 kevinpaul

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Posted 13 March 2010 - 04:05 AM

I have been playing the mandolin most of my life. I have an old Gibson in new condition, I love it. The price realy went up from 1933 when my dad got it, now I would be in the $ 500.00 price range. Many people make nice mandolins for that price range. M. Kelly is one of the better ones. I like the F style vs the A style because it looks better. The higher tones are not as clear on the A.

DR kevin P Moore

#7 pohatu771

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Posted 13 March 2010 - 04:44 AM

Kevin Hearn from Barenaked Ladies uses an Epiphone MM-50 on record, and it sounds quite nice. I have an MM-30, but I'm not as fond of it.

#8 MojoRedFoot

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Posted 15 March 2010 - 06:15 AM

Michael Kelly makes decent mandolins for the money. Ovation too. $500 will go far for a good mandolin. Stay away from the low end Ibanez. Every one I have ever touched was very poor quality.

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#9 Daryl M

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Posted 18 May 2010 - 12:47 AM

Check out an Epiphone MM-50. It's about in your price range and would be a great little start up mandolin.

#10 Windwalker9000

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Posted 17 May 2011 - 12:34 AM

I like the sound of the Kentucky mandolin's my uncle has Top of the line Gibson and A Walker, and a Kentucky and that one sounds really good to me and he likes and plays it often when performing!!! And they are some about that price range!!!

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