Rock, Folk Rock, Roots Rock, Rockabilly.Bluegrass, Newgrass, Country, Gospel Variants.Technique, Theory, Playing Tips and Tricks.Jams, Workshops, Camps, Places To Meet Others.Looking for Information About Mandolins.Quick Navigation Looking for Information About Mandolins Top So could choose one of many preowned in the SawĪ brand new one online two weeks later for $99.) (Once bought a used Takimini Jasmine for $200. Retail dealers The problem with the preowned approach is Utility and beauty of an instrument acquisition by avoiding Over fifty years that one can maximize the Indicated will move this query to a new thread.)īecause it is believed from experience buyingĪnd selling dozens six string acoustic and electric guitars (Perhaps the etiquette of the forum dictates So the question now becomes the next step. Playing and practicing over the last year and hundreds more, Instrument that is warranted by hundreds of hours spent Spent many hours of my newb phase of mandolin playing it.īut the Mand-8 will not be the object of ownership of an I will keep the instrument, hang it on the wall,īecause it is an object of some beauty, because it is a family The Mand-8 reminds me of my uncle it would be a fools errand to Was leaning toward upgrading the faux Kay Mand-8. The expertise and familiarity shared willĬertainly prevent me from making a poor decision. Other than that, do not spend a lot of money on an instrument which is not already worth quite a bit more than you're putting into it.Īnd most especially Mike Edgerton for the excellent information. You can get usability improvements by replacing the tailpiece and tuning machines, and maybe a bit of tone by fitting the bridge better. So in the top 3 most important things, 1 is easily adjusted (the setup), but the other two most important things, the top and overall structure, are inherent to the instrument and essentially impossible to upgrade. The most important parts of an instrument are: its string geometry and fret positions (because without that it isn't a mandolin), the top plate (because without it the parts of the instrument won't be set in motion by the movement of the strings), and the rest of the structure (back, sides, neck).Īt least that's how I rank them. Unless something is broken (i.e., tailpiece only holds 6 strings, tuners don't work, bridge is cracked), then upgrading an instrument will make very little, or maybe absolutely no difference in tone. Regardless of what instrument it is, I was going to comment on the concept of "upgrading an instrument". The back of the headstock does have a gold tone sticker with the test 'Mand-8', photo herewith. Have look on eBay and Craigs List and cant find a comparable.īut this says 'Check the headstock and sound hole for serial numbers. Any guess as to when it was made? Probably the older the more 'vintage' and worthy.Ģ. But if it is worth $300 maybe its worth it.ġ. Or is the Mand-8 of such poor quality that it does make sense to invest even $120.įor instance if the instrument is only worth $50 dollar the upgrade is ludicrous. The tuning pegs are pretty stiff and a bit discolored so I was considering going to StewMac and getting some new tuning machines for $70 and then another $50 for the luthier to install and the old girl would really look pretty good. Have noticed that it is about a half an inch thicker than the Eastman and Kentucky F style mandos held by guys at the bluegrass jams Other research indicates that the Kay Musical Instrument Company of Chicago made mandolins between about 1930 until about 1955 when they became focused on electric guitars. Whether to upgrade the Kay or buy a new mandolinĪ lot of it comes down to the quality and worth of the Kay I have.īut this says 'Check the headstock and sound hole for serial numbers. Inherited a mandolin from uncle's estate.
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