Anyone play mandolin out there?
Anyone play mandolin out there?
I'm technically a bass player, but I was thinking and if I ever own another instrument I would want it to be a mandolin, but unlike knowing what's good when it comes to guitars and basses, when it comes to mandolin I have no idea. I'm just wondering what's a good roundabout price to pay, and some things to watch out for etc. If anyone could give me any tips, that'd be cool.
It depends on what you're aiming for, if you want bargain-basement to see if you like it, try the Rogue (Musicians's Friend) A-model for roughly $50. They're not fantastic, but take a tweaking well, and you'll not find one cheaper unless you buy Taiwanese (don't!). They're one of those can't-go-wrong-for-that-kind-of-money deals.
If you're pretty sure you'll be okay on it, and want a little better quality, move up to the $150-range, and get a Fender at Music Emporium. Again, they don't compare with an early-'20's Lloyd Loar Gibson, but they're solid, giggable, and often have a pickup already installed. The customer service is much better, too. And Lloyd Loars start at $50,000 and go to a quarter-million.
I use a Korean-made Antares I bought from Jim Mosey in about 1994. Most Korean instruments are mid-quality, priced nicely ($200-$300), and you won't cry if you scratch them. I use a K&K Little Big Shot pickup, wedged into the bridge unit with a guitar pick, and it works really well. I've played it in rock gigs with no preamp, it's loud, and I've never had feedback issues, even when competing with Marshall combo's.
The only real difference between the teardrop-shaped A- models, and the F- models that cost far more, is the scroll-y part on the upper bout horn, which is not hollow, and affects the sound very little. They do sit on a strap better, and look more traditional, but that's about it.
Lessons can be difficult to find in Altoona, but State College has a few teachers... most people I know just got a chord-book and went to bluegrass jams to pick things up, which is free, and playing along with other musicians is by far the FASTEST way to learn. Plus, they really truly want you to learn, because it's more fun for the others as you get better. Matt Harrison does teach over there in S.C. and he's excellent... I think he works at Robt M. Sides, but not sure. If you want to know where jams are, PM me.
So there you go, that's what I know. Good luck and have fun!
If you're pretty sure you'll be okay on it, and want a little better quality, move up to the $150-range, and get a Fender at Music Emporium. Again, they don't compare with an early-'20's Lloyd Loar Gibson, but they're solid, giggable, and often have a pickup already installed. The customer service is much better, too. And Lloyd Loars start at $50,000 and go to a quarter-million.
I use a Korean-made Antares I bought from Jim Mosey in about 1994. Most Korean instruments are mid-quality, priced nicely ($200-$300), and you won't cry if you scratch them. I use a K&K Little Big Shot pickup, wedged into the bridge unit with a guitar pick, and it works really well. I've played it in rock gigs with no preamp, it's loud, and I've never had feedback issues, even when competing with Marshall combo's.
The only real difference between the teardrop-shaped A- models, and the F- models that cost far more, is the scroll-y part on the upper bout horn, which is not hollow, and affects the sound very little. They do sit on a strap better, and look more traditional, but that's about it.
Lessons can be difficult to find in Altoona, but State College has a few teachers... most people I know just got a chord-book and went to bluegrass jams to pick things up, which is free, and playing along with other musicians is by far the FASTEST way to learn. Plus, they really truly want you to learn, because it's more fun for the others as you get better. Matt Harrison does teach over there in S.C. and he's excellent... I think he works at Robt M. Sides, but not sure. If you want to know where jams are, PM me.
So there you go, that's what I know. Good luck and have fun!
