Cheap Fender Mandolins?

[Scott_F]

I saw some cheap (less than 300 bucks) A-style Mandolins in the new American Musical catalogue.

Anyone ever gotten one of these?

Thanks. I had a blast playing some at NAMM. I think I'd like to learn how to play mandolin. What a cool sound.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

My buddy has one it is very nice. He uses it for gigs all the time, won't bring his big dollar pieces out for bar gigs.

 

[theodie]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

My buddy has one also and is quite happy with it.

 

[Curly]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

yeah, I see those at Guitar Trader when I go in there, and I always wondered how good they were ... I've wanted a mandolin for 30 years! love 'em!

I was lookin at Godins, and saw a mandolin they made for $700 that looked pretty good, too .. but that's another story

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

Hey, AMS has a Dean Mandolin for 200 bucks. Has grover tuners and mop binding on body and neck. mahogany sides/back, solid spruce top. Looks like a winner.

I wonder where Dean's cheaper stuff is made.

 

[Curly]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

I've always wondered about Dean's lower priced stuff too, like their acoustics ...

I'd guess MIK, based on the price

I don't know if it's just me, but it always seems like the cheap stuff tries to seduce you with inexpensive cosmetic stuff, like fancy inlays, etc., but the basic constuction is not what we expect from MIA stuff (well, in general)

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

well, I played some of the cheaper Michael Kelly's at NAMM and they played very well. we'll see. I'll have to get a book on how to play a mandolin, but I love the sound. Like I said, we'll see.

 

[Curly]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

well, Evan said he liked the Eastmans, and they're also MIC, like the Kelleys (I think?)

maybe talk to Buffalo Bros, and see what they think, since they stock a lot of mandolins

I've always loved mandolins, too ... especially some of the Celtic music with fiddle/ mandolins together

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

i could never figure out how to play those...is it for chording only, i find it hard/impossible to play single notes on them mandolins.

It'd be sweet to put a JB in it and start doing mandolin solos!!

 

[Grandor]

Re: Cheap Fender Mandolins?

When I look at eastern instruments I find more drawn to a Sitar.