Another tangent for TT. Mandolin class coming.

TonyT

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Why not? 3 pretty easy start up questions.

1. How much should I spend for a "playable" instrument? Can I get something in the $500 range (or preferrably less)?

2. What manufacturers should I look for(or stay away from.) ?

3. Anybody wanna sell one?
 

kitniyatran

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You can get a good starter for 500, but it helps to know what you're looking at, or know someone who does. If you're looking for new, I'd say look for a Kentucky with solid woods. Many recommend Eastman's, look at the "A" body styles in that price range; the only Eastman that has impressed me more than the Breedlove's was the top end, at way over $1000, but others seem to think the lower end ones are the bee's knees. Obviously, you can get a lot more instrument used. Breedlove Quartz series "O" bodies can be had for not much over 500, as can many others, sometimes even Gibson "A" models.
(PM on the side)
 

kitniyatran

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Happy 8 stringing to you, Hope you enjoy! :wink:
By the way, you may find your callouses a bit wimpy, going from guitar to mando! :lol:
 

kitniyatran

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Hi, Darryl!
Occasionally, mostly, I think, on e-bay, some of the late teens A models seem to go for not much more, probably have issues, though. Some people claim to find those deals,anyway. I'd actually expect a ready to play Gibson A to be $900 to $1200, actually, aside from snake heads.
 

fronobulax

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MandoSquirrel said:
TonyT said:
I heard some old Kays are really awesome :D :D :D
Yes, some are; I know of one in particular that impressed me a bunch!

sold 1950's(?) Kay with a sexy headstock sold to TonyT.

Pretty subtle way to announce a NMD. Congratulations. Is there a trip up North in the works deliver it along with a lesson or two? :wink:
 

kitniyatran

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Unfortunately, we'll be relying on the blue suits of the USPS for this one.
 

TonyT

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I've already told my calluses that something new is coming, and hell's coming with it.
 

kitniyatran

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Quite possible; one thing, though, I found that practicing either mando or guit helps with the other, so you may not need to double your total practice time!
 

idealassets

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Will read these posts later to catch up. Meanwhile I was contemplating the mandolin. THere's always some place around my area that can use a mando player.
 

TonyT

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So there's a chance that I could eventually be mediocre at both.
 

kitniyatran

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I was going to say yes, but then I read Darryl's reply, and I'm more in that category!
 
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