mandolin

[sathyan]

I'd like to buy a cheap mandolin for live and recording purposes. Interested in doing bluegrass and country. I currently play fiddle (and will continue to do so primarily). We also have dobro and bass players.

1. Acoustic vs acoustic/electric

Will an a/e have worse acoustic performance?
Can I use guitar effects with an a/e?
general pros/cons?

2. which of these would you choose (can't spend more than $150)

Rogue RM-100A http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...87130/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/511196/

Rogue FM-80 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...87130/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/519327/

Rogue FM-80E http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...87130/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/519329/

Epiphone MM-30 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...87130/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/518691/

Epiphone MM-20 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7...87130/g=guitar/search/detail/base_pid/518689/


thanks

Sathyan

 

[kjam22]

I'd probably buy the MM-30. Because of the spruce top.


I bought a mandolin about 3 years ago. Gave like $100 or so off ebay. Off brand, but it's amazing how good one of those things (even though it's cheap) can sound when recorded with a LD mic.

I think if you go with one that has electric, you'll need to spend more to have good electronics in it.

You won't have the learning curve since your fiddle is tuned in 5ths and the mandolin is too. I'm a guitar player (tuned in 4ths), so there was a little bit of a thought process there, but it still came pretty naturally.

Good luck!

 

[sathyan]

kjam22,

thanks for your reply.

What else will I need to play mandolin?
will a regular guitar pick work or do I need something designed specifically for mandolin?
is there anything else I will need besides the instrument? (if so, any recommendations)

Any suggestions for strings to use?

I've ordered a teach yourself mandolin book from my public library and looked at the website http://www.btinternet.com/~john.baldry/mando/ Any other must read titles/websites are appreciated.

thanks
Sathyan
http://inkmusic.org

 

[dwillis45]

Too bad your budget is not a little higher. There are some decent American-made mandolins out there without dropping thousands of dollars on a Gibson F5. I play a Weber Aspen, for example, and I've heard good things about the Mid-Missouri models.

As far as the low-end models go, the Kentucky used to enjoy the best reputation. That was several years ago, so things may have changed. Since your on a tight budget, you should also look at used instruments. Check out Elderly, Gruhn guitars, and Mandolin Brothers for good used and vintage stock.

I would also invest in a good tuner like the Intelli-touch. Eight strings are much easier to deal with when you have technology clipped to the end of your instrument

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/search/detail/base_id/39801/src=01340

Finally, check out the Mandolin Cafe and particularly the following link which has two fingure chord charts:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/two.html

 

[kjam22]

I agree with the tuner suggestion. I just use one of my guitar tuners. You know you can download free mandolin lessons (instructions) off the internet. Just search on mandolin lesson.

I use regular guitar picks... but I know there are special picks for mandolin.

Happy new year!

 

[Flatpicker]

I'd like to buy a cheap mandolin for live and recording purposes...

The ~$200 - $250 Fender mandolins sound way better than the ones you mentioned, IMHO.