...and a short for the missus...

[bod]

My dearest beloved has recently surprised me by declaring her interest in having a go at playing mandolin. Given her understanding, support and encouragement for my guitar-related indulgences I aim to get her a mandolin to have a go with, but I don't have a clue where to start..

So, knowing full well that this is likely to be wildy woolly and overly open question, I'm still going to ask, not least cos I know there a number of mandolin players on the forum:

a beginners mandolin - basically playable, but nothing flash - what sort of thing should I be looking at, what sort of money should I be ready to spend?

ANY help or advice appreciated

Thanks

[Mairena Red]

Hi Bod,

Not a mandolin player myself but this looks quite a good choice:

www.thomann.de/es/epiphone_mm30.htm

Epi make good entry-level acoustic guitars so it should be a pretty safe bet. This one has a solid spruce top and laminate back and sides. Only problem with buying off the web is that you cannot try it out, though Thomann accept returns if you are not happy with your purchase.

Alternatively you might try Hobgoblin. They have a good selection of entry-level instruments and have shops all over the UK where you can test drive your chosen model. Check this out:

www.hobgoblin.com/local/contfram.htm

Hope you find what you are looking for. A wife who shares your interests (or at least who supports you in yours) is worth her weight in gold

All the best,

Joe (aka Mairena Red)

[Gerry C]

Mandolin being one of my other loves, I'd endorse what Joe said about Hobgoblin. My nearest branch is in Leeds and the guys there are always helpful and friendly. They also stock a good range of mandolins from very basic ones at about £50 to...much more expensive ones!! Personally for starting out I'd recommend something from the Ashberry range: I have an F-hole model fitted with a pickup and tone/volume knobs and it cost me about £150 some three years ago. It has a decent tone, is easy to play and sounds good through a PA. Ashberry also do the same model without electronics. I also have one of their resophonic mandolins but that got into an argument (via the cat) with a fireplace corner and is currently awaiting a new neck... But it's normally shiny and VERY VERY LOUD!!!

The main things to look out for when buying a mandolin are the same as a guitar: is the neck OK? How is the action? Any fret problems? Does it sound good? Decent tuners? Colour and finish? And of course, most importantly, will seeing me playing it encourage members of the opposite sex to hurl themselves upon me with ungovernable physical passion...?? ;D ;D ;D

Cheerily,

Gerry C

PS And I can't believe it's chuffin' snowing AGAIN!!!

[Deleted]

I bought one of the Ashbury mandolins a couple of years ago from Hobgoblin, paid about £150. Its a good instrument but I have to say it needed a set up, nut easing etc, only basic stuff but I know my limitations, it played a lot better afterwards.

[markh1]

Hobgoblin is a good place to start but avoid really cheap mandolins. Buy her Steve James' How to Play Blues Mandolin on DVD, you'll be duetting Divin' Duck for New Years Eve

[bod]

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

A further complication that had not dawned on me immediately is that Julie is left-handed. There seem to be precious few specifically left-handed mandolin's out there at the lower end of the price range and the few I've seen are unknowns (a couple on ebay, brand not given, one at Eagle maybe branded 'Romania'??)

I'm guessing that simply reversing the stringing on a known brand model won't enough, need a left-handed bridge at least - or is the whole structure l/h or r/h? Any pointers?

Thanks again

[janefromlondonuk]

I started on an Ashbury mandolin from Hobgoblin, and it was OK for a starter, but not great. Mandolins, far more than guitars, need a really good set-up (which isn't standard at Hobgoblin), and in general are more expensive than guitars at entry-level.

If you can stretch your budget to it, I'd go for an Eastman, and get it from TAMCO in Brighton. They do a great set-up and Trevor (who runs TAMCO) really knows his stuff. Last time I looked they had lefty mandolins in stock too. Eastman have a reputation for making excellent mandolins, and it'll hold its value well if it turns out she doesn't stick with it.

Try roaming around the Mandolin Cafe forum too, and read up on the various recommendations for starter models there. That's where the mando experts hang out.

Hope that helps

[percythewonderant]

If you want to buy something really nice for Mrs. Bod for Christmas, and that won't look out of place on a stage with the kind of instruments that we find around these parts, try Stuart Wailing.

www.wailing-guitars.co.uk/

He built one for me to specs that we agreed between us. I got it around this time last year and it is amazing. Superb build, great tone and very loud. I've played it in front of an audience a couple of times and it turns heads. I wish that I had been able to dedicate more time to using it.

Although around the same price as an Eastman, and therefore not really entrance level instruments, for what you get Stuart Wailing's Mandolins are great value for money. £425 for a non cutaway, £450 for a cutaway. Pretty good for something built in the UK! Stuart is a true craftsman and a real gent too.

Cheers Perce

[Gerry C]

That has GOT to be the greatest guitar brand name ever!!

Cheerily,

Gerry C