Supercreep
Lizard People
Okay, I want one of these plenty.
How do I tell a good one from a bad one?
How do I tell a good one from a bad one?
Octave Mandolin
- Thread starter Supercreep
- Start date
Fiddlermatt
New member
I haven't had a huge amount of experience with octaves, but I am VERY familiar with normal mandolins. Most of my experiences applies to both, hopefully! First, you are going to have to decide how much you really want one. In other words, how much are you willing to pay.
-In the mandolin family, decent quality instruments start around the 1k mark. Professional quality instruments range for 3-10+k.
-When comes to the two different styles (A vs. F) there is not really much difference in the sound. You will pay considerably more for an F-style, however.
-The first thing to do with ANY mandolin you buy is take it to a qualified, MANDOLIN repair guy and have it set up. If you have a mando that has not been set up, or has been set up poorly it will shred you fingers.
Only your ears and fingers can tell a good one from a bad one. Watch for obvious things like cracks, buzzing frets, bad setup, poor quality, etc. I can recommend John Gathright of Gathright custom mandolins in Foreman, Arkansas. He makes super good quality instruments for reasonable prices. If you are willing to spend over three-thousand pm me and I'll give you contact info.
-In the mandolin family, decent quality instruments start around the 1k mark. Professional quality instruments range for 3-10+k.
-When comes to the two different styles (A vs. F) there is not really much difference in the sound. You will pay considerably more for an F-style, however.
-The first thing to do with ANY mandolin you buy is take it to a qualified, MANDOLIN repair guy and have it set up. If you have a mando that has not been set up, or has been set up poorly it will shred you fingers.
Only your ears and fingers can tell a good one from a bad one. Watch for obvious things like cracks, buzzing frets, bad setup, poor quality, etc. I can recommend John Gathright of Gathright custom mandolins in Foreman, Arkansas. He makes super good quality instruments for reasonable prices. If you are willing to spend over three-thousand pm me and I'll give you contact info.
mjbphotos
Moderator
$1K for a mando? I'm sure you can get a 'decent' one for half that. All depends on what you need it for, of course. Octaves and bouzoukis usually start in the $700 range for 'decent' ones. I was loooking at 'zoukis but decided I wouldn't get enough play out of one to make it worthwhile. My wife got me a cheap mando ($120 Washburn) and its mostly unusable.
Look for the same things you would in any acoustic stringed instrument - tone, good intonation, playability.
Look for the same things you would in any acoustic stringed instrument - tone, good intonation, playability.
Supercreep
Lizard People
Thanks guys. I'm willing to spend 1K, but not 3k.
Fiddlermatt
New member
In your price range I've heard lots of good things about Trinity College. They are about 700 dollars. That would leave you plenty of money left over for a good set-up. Good luck on you mandolin playing!