5 Tips for Buying a Good Mandolin

[@Road_Rash]

I also have a Loar 520 just like the one in the video...mine is a 2012 model that I bought brand new in January of 2013, about a month after I started playing...I got an awesome deal on it, as I paid $400 USD...they now go for anywhere between $550-$600 in the US...properly set up, this mando rocks & has a great tone...I'd put it up against the super expensive models any day...best mandolin in my growing collection...I'd like to get one of thier ones with the fancy inlays, but those are a bit more expensive than I can afford right now...however, I'm starting to learn inlaying & when I get it down, I'll fancy this one up to look way better than thier fancy ones because it'll be my own one of a kind design...you can find decent mandos in the $200-$300 range too, but you'll need an experienced luthier to set it up properly to get the most out of it...in fact, if you don't know how to set up a mando, & if you're just starting out you don't, I'd advise taking any mando you buy & have a good set up done on it...many music stores will do a basic set up for free as long as you buy your mando from them, if you buy from Amazon, you'll need to find someone who can do it for you...it'll be a bit of an added expense, but it can be challenging enough to learn on a mandolin that's set up well & plays great, it can be flat out frustrating on one that has hard action & the intonation is way off on...remember, the name of the game is having fun, that's why they call it 'playing' music & not 'working' music...Lol! & if you're mando is poorly set up, no matter what kind you wind up getting, you'll be having more struggles than fun...👌🏿😎👍🏿

[@RockPopMandolin]

Totally agree. Great points. And good to see another happy Loar player! lol!

[@Road_Rash]

I'm absolutely ecstatic about mine...in fact, that's part of what attracted me to your channel was not only to see how easy your videos were to follow without tablature in front of me, and I must compliment you on a very easy to follow style, but the main thing was that you were playing a mandolin just like mine...great little instruments...👌🏿😎👍🏿

[@Road_Rash]

Also, you may want to have that neck adjusted, because it's common for these to come from the factory with the truss rod tightened in the absolute wrong direction, then have the frets leveled & recrowned & that fret buzz will be history! I'm going to lower my action some more & even scallop the neck & refret it with smaller fret wire to improve it's playability as well...I like the set up on yours... I named mine Woody because of the pick hitting the neck extension & sounding like a woodpecker...Lol!

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@Road_Rash Good suggestions. Might have my friend the luthier look at it. He’s the one who did the work on the fretboard extension.

[@Road_Rash]

I also have that same tuner that's on your mando, it buzzes a little too, but not loud enough for you to really hear unless you happen to be propped up in bed practicing while watching tv like I do sometimes & the peghead is much closer to your ears...Lol!

[@tobywilliams414]

For anyone looking, may I suggest Banjo Ben Clark. You can buy from his online store. I bought this same Loar Mandolin at a great price and it comes to you completely setup by Ben’s Luthier.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Excellent suggestion. Banjo Ben's store looks great! He's got some Loars on there for just over $300!

[@devlieg72]

The best mandolin is the one you've got. Once you surpass the the mechanical abilities of the one you've got it's time to move to another one. When you are better than the instrument it may be time to move to another, but a better mando won't make you a better player.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Good advice. Thanks!

[@jimwrathall5323]

But a bad mandolin can be so discouraging that people give up early.

[@mrtambourineman6107]

Same with any instrument , a good player can make any old instrument sound great, whereas an expensive instrument won't sound anything but awful in the wrong hands.

[@johnjriggsarchery2457]

I'd like to see people pay more attention to oval holes especially for beginners and intermediate players and prices. This need to have a strong "chop" isn't the biggest concern because most people won't be performing Molly and Tenbrooks on stage. Lower cost ovals sound way richer than lower cost F holes, and those scrolls on that Loar are good for strap hangers and paying more for looks, but that's about it.

[@donaldfewell8908]

Thanks!

[@kcd2120]

Thanks for the comment - I’m an electric guitar player who much prefers warmer tones so it sounds like an oval is what I might prefer.

[@billanderson5509]

They have Mando to start playing on for less than 600 $ you can get one for half that your gonna scare away less well healed... Most of us playing Mando will never have thousands of dollars for those beautiful high end . I would rather have a 300 dollar Mando set up well. Than not have one . They are easy to set up.

[@RockPopMandolin]

True. As I said in the video, my first mando cost less than $100. But it sounded terrible and was difficult to play. Most people would probably give up playing a really cheap mando early on. So something a little more expensive, say 300-800, would be worth the money in the long run.

[@robertshorthill4153]

Bill Anderson. I re-freted my '93 Flatiron with better frets and put on Grover tuners. I worked at Flatiron for several years and honestly say the shop used the cheapest tuners and fret material they could find in those days ( till '94). They knew frets would need to be replaced and better tuners down the road, but the woods were the best quality anywhere. Gibson and Flatiron had too many problems I can't go into here, but it was the best job I've ever had. I built myself a nice A-5 that is a mid range mando and probably all I'll ever need. Bob in Montana

[@wiltonmungo4179]

I also have a Loar LM 520 that I bought second-hand for about $350 USD; it's my first one and has been a great starter instrument. So happy to hear from other Loar owners, they don't have a great rep on certain mandolin forums for some reason

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, I know. I don’t know why, either. Mine is a great starter instrument too. Enjoy playing it!

[@barabarahito]

I've noticed that, I've seen mixed comments, I thonl some of their earlier instruements were not so good for some reason, one or two duds got out in the wild, and others have told me the laquer is too thick. I don't have that much experience to judge by but mt The Loar is definitely a step up from my Ozark f model.

[@శతకహేమముఆటవెలఁది]

You sound like a modest and humble man sir. Sincere in your words.🙏 Excellent technical analysis.🌹

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thank you!

[@barabarahito]

Also in Japan here: I recently got a The Loar LM-600-vn second hand, pleasently surprised to be honest, it's fairly similar to what you are playing in tone and easy to play. Not overly powerful but really quite sweet sounding. Have you tried one?

[@RockPopMandolin]

No, but if it’s as good as my Loar, I’m sure it’s nice.

[@ananthavenkatanarasimhacha9046]

Excellently explained about the tips for purchasing Best Mandolin

[@brians7181]

Starter mandolin for only $600- $700. Damn I must be old. I remember when I first started playing guitar in 1980 you could get a pretty kickass Stratocaster for $400 and a Les Paul for $500. I'm going to start buying up instruments now, keep them in cases and resell all of them in 20 years 😁

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@brians7181 Hah, good idea. But I was playing guitar in the early 80’s too and don’t remember Strats or Les Pauls that cheap. At least 800-1,000 where I was from. My first American Strat in the mid 80’s cost $1,200.

[@brians7181]

@@RockPopMandolin in CT you could get a decent strat for $400 in 1980. My friend bought a Les Paul custom for$600 then a couple years later the knucklehead traded it in for a Kramer because it had a Floyd rose. I bought used back then, I was too poor back then. My main guitar was a parts caster.

[@robertshorthill4153]

I recently, about two years ago, put Grovers on my old Flatiron A-5. They are from StewMac. They cost around 60 bucks, if I remember right. Waverly machines are about 500+. The tuners that came on the Flatiron we're the cheapest Schaller made. They came on all the models from Flatiron. I know, because I worked there for years, till they kicked everyone out around '94. Anyway, the Grovers are a big improvement. Smooth, easy to tune and don't give me any trouble at all. That's all I need. Waverly tuners are the very best, but not the price. BTW, Flatirons are now made in China and are a shadow of the ones we made until '94. Cheers, great video. Bob

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks and cheers for sharing your expertise with us!

[@ascar1nthasky03]

3:42 way to start playing the Beatles! Excellent song choice!

[@charleshill9649]

Any experience / care to comment on the Loar 520 vs Eastman 315. Both China made, approx same price new. For bluegrass...

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, I prefer the Loar. I’ve tried many Eastmans and never found one that sounds or plays better than my Loar.

[@fanooch1]

Got into Mandolin. Bought a Collings F5 and and Eastman 615. Build wise they were both beautifully made. The Eastman was just as flawlessly built as the Collings. The difference was the tonewood used. The Collings had a sound that was just fantastic. My playing didnt justify the Collings. I sold it and am as happy as can be with the Eastman. Beautifully made and perfect for my playing.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Nice. Yes, the wood makes a huge difference in sound.

[@fluke808state4]

Glad to hear your les Paul recovered from surgery BTW

[@ananthavenkatanarasimhacha9046]

Kindly let me know the name or brand of the Mandolin you have shown as I could'nt have grasped your accent.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Mine? It’s called The Loar.

[@Ravenscaller]

Specifically it is a The Loar 520 which is the first level that is all solid wood. They have a lower 310 which has a solid top and plywood back and sides. In Oct 2023 the 310 Honey Creek is about $350 on Reverb. The 520 is $600. They both come with an optional pickup that adds another $100. Don't waste money on a pick up unless you really plan to perform with it. Having said that I have never played a Loar but would consider the solid wood model.

[@ananthavenkatanarasimhacha9046]

Sir, Could you please let me know the price of the 5 Mandolins In Indian Currency and place where available?

[@RockPopMandolin]

No idea, mate. Sorry.

[@zoomankat]

what's a starter mandolin I have a Harley Benton mandolin that's a Keeper Mandolin HBMA 100 VS

[@brianhunley5302]

I just recently purchased a loar 590. Seems pretty decent so far

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool! I'm sure you'll love it.

[@danielbrowniel]

I have a mitchell that is very cheaply made but, I've learned a lot on it. So my new rule for buying a new instrument, get a jar, put a dollar in the jar every time you play. And what you have at the end of a couple years or so is what you deserve to get.

[@Cristasphoto]

I found a Kentucky km200 a style for 140 at a pawn shop.is my first mandolin. Im really liking lovin' it. I installed a new nut as the nut was chipped and wouldn't hold the Top bass strings the nut was only like seven dollars so Yeah I think I got a great deal m

[@RockPopMandolin]

Kentucky makes quality mandolins. I like them!

[@Cristasphoto]

@@RockPopMandolin It sounds really loud and good. Ty

[@cicelys3287]

What was the tune at 3:45?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Norwegian Wood by the Beatles.

[@nickroberts6984]

Very informative ! 🙂🎶 You play beautifully ! 🏆

[@RockPopMandolin]

Oh, thanks so much for your kind words!

[@jimwrathall5323]

I am amazed that in the US, serious mandolins are usually assumed to be copies of the Gibson F. Or perhaps even the Gibson A. In other parts of the world, The F type is almost never seen. Brazil has a very long history of mandolin playing, and their mandolins are based on a style similar to Portuguese teardrop instruments, vaguely similar to the A style, although predating Gibson by hundreds of years. Brazilian mandolins have modified that shape considerably, to the extent that you would never think that it is an A style. Then there are the Italian mandolins that have a gourd shape. Modern Israeli Mandolins have the teardrop shape, but extensive construction changes have been made to the bracing, and sound hole(s). Outside the US, "F" holes are never seen, sound holes are round or oval.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Good points but not entirely true. F style mandolins are common here in Japan, as are the traditional bowl-back instruments. But there are some terrific builders here making F style instruments. A styles are not common.

[@sukhwinder5448]

👌👌👌👌👌

[@erichodgson1020]

What's your opinion on Denver Mandolins? I bought one as a starter and I personally love the quality for the price.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool. Never heard of them. Thanks for the tip.

[@erichodgson1020]

@@RockPopMandolin they're a low end one, I paid 165.00 canadian for the Denver A Style and honestly for how cheap it was I'm impressed with quality of the sound it produces.

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@erichodgson1020 Very nice. How is the action/playability?

[@erichodgson1020]

@@RockPopMandolin over all the action and playability are great. Easy to fret notes and chords and it has a great tone too. The tension of the strings isn't bad either. A very comfortable instruments.

[@fluke808state4]

This looks like a good one,I'll check em out

[@RockPopMandolin]

Cool!

[@fluke808state4]

Your old one sounded good to me!

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks!

[@battlehrfred]

Hi Mike, great honest video! A Few Questions?>>>> what type of strings (brand and item #) do you use? where did you get this "cage" you have on the back of this mandolin??, l have this same loar 520 as this and it came with a builtin fishman. I ordered it from the local Independently owned music Store and had to wait for it to come from USA and am please with it. I cannot find this Cage to purchase, in Newfoundland or anywhere in Canada, ty! 100-100

[@RockPopMandolin]

Thanks mate. Ah, Newfoundland. That's one place I've always wanted to visit. Looks lovely. As for my mando "cage," it's actually called a Tone-Gard. If you can't find it locally, you can order it from Tony at www.tone-gard.com. I ordered mine that way and he shipped it to me in Japan. So he could certainly ship you one, too. As for strings, I use D'Addario EJ-74s. You can find the link in the comments below my videos.

[@battlehrfred]

@@RockPopMandolin .TY for your comment on this lovely Newfoundland ( lots of Irish/Scottish/English and many mixed cultures over this present 20 years, it is lots like Ireland. I have travelled many places on this earth, but the hospitality at Newfoundland, is second to none.!Thanking you for this great information! I will surely order this Tone- guard. I am a new beginner and i was told that GHS - LS250 was good tone and preferred to me by a Luther .this is what i have used for 12 months now, but I will go to EJ-74s to see the difference in sound ty Sir!! Keep posting great honest videos!!

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@battlehrfred Awesome! Enjoy playing the mandolin!

[@shoer5151]

Great info I want to upgrade from my beginner

[@RockPopMandolin]

Go for it!

[@andycochrane4131]

Why do Americans yell?

[@RockPopMandolin]

I don’t know. I’m not American. Why don’t you ask them? Lol!

[@brians7181]

Probably because the rest of the world is asleep and needs to be woken up.

[@mirekklemens662]

Thank you my friend !! I,m your New Subscriber. Mandolin "Ibanez M 700S F-Style is good ??? Please me know. I'm going to learn on this instrument. My regards from New York.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Hi and thanks. Don’t know that model but Ibanez makes good instruments. Have fun with it.

[@Derekmartin20]

I have that one also. They are built good and mine stays in tune. Of course I may have got lucky.

[@MatthewZmusician209]

I had a Mitchell AM100VS A-Style Mandolin, and it had no sustain, the frets buzzed a lot so I had to raise the action crazy high which made it very hard and It hurt to play it. Also the neck is thin which made chords impossible.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Sounds painful.

[@fliegerdefunes7758]

My first Mandolin had cost 35€ and it sounds actually not bad. It's a portugese style mando and It just got some new strings. It is ofcourse not the best one but I like it and I think it's nearly as good as one for like 300€. My second one is an very old italien style mando from around the 1920. it's somehow playable but it mostly hangs on the wall. I'm from germany and Ig they were both made here. there also were some mandolin orchestras here and I know that my old one was played in one in the 40's. I may wanna gat an good F-style mando cause they look awesome but atm I don't really have money for it cause I play some other Instruments as well but if i see an old mando for cheap I will buy anotherone soon :)

[@RockPopMandolin]

That’s great! I would love to get a European style mandolin myself.

[@iangarner8857]

I've just bought a Tanglewood Union Wine Red Mandolin. This is my first mandolin. It cost £149 which is around 200 us dollars. I didn't want something so cheap it was unplayable but I couldn't stretch much higher than that. Is the Tanglewood Union range a good entry level mandolin ? There is a video on here of a guy saying it's great so I am looking forward trying it .

[@RockPopMandolin]

I have no idea, mate. Never heard of that brand. But if it works for you, that's great!

[@iangarner8857]

@@RockPopMandolin Tanglewood? They make great quality guitars which is why I went for the mandolin also being a guitar player lol I will post a message on here and let you know how I get on

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@iangarner8857 Cool! Thanks!

[@karinberryman2009]

I just looked at a Tanglewood a few days ago, and fell in love.

[@wdmore]

Thank you for the video. It is a big help. What brand of strap are you using? I would like to get one. Thanks

[@RockPopMandolin]

My strap is made by a Japanese guitar maker called K. Yairi.

[@taranakiben]

hello, please can you do some nivarna and AC/DC tuturiols thanks

[@RockPopMandolin]

Okay, I’ll see what I can do!

[@taranakiben]

thanks

[@oldmaterizz4516]

@@RockPopMandolin where did ya sleep last night, its a song, nirvana

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@oldmaterizz4516 Cool. I will record About A Girl this month.

[@alliepetty1005]

You got the nail on the head with your discussion of the action. I have one that has such tough action I just can't make any good sound come out of it

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, that’s very frustrating, isn’t it?

[@apparameswaran1792]

What is the price in rupee of five tip mandolin??...

[@RockPopMandolin]

Don’t know. Maybe you could check and let us know.

[@leesanna7835]

Great review, thank you so much, very helpful 🙏

[@RockPopMandolin]

You’re most welcome.

[@dominicjohnson7695]

Hey thanks for the video, I’m looking at mandolins for me to start learning. I’m getting a Washburn m1k mandolin. Nothing special, just wondering if it’s a good starting mandolin

[@RockPopMandolin]

Don’t know Washburns. But they make decent guitars, I think. Good luck with it!

[@dominicjohnson7695]

@@RockPopMandolin thank you for your reply. I will let you know!

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@dominicjohnson7695 Yes! Please do.

[@garyhondel9020]

Thanks for sharing these tips! I just purchased a Washburn which should arrive any day now. I am curious to know about your strap. Would you mind telling me where I can find a similar mandolin strap to the one you use in this video?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Sure, but not sure if you can find them outside of Japan. It's made by a Japanese guitar company called K Yairi. Here's an English website. yairi.com

[@garyhondel9020]

Thanks! I’ll check it out

[@leesanna7835]

Which do you rate higher at comparably priced, 'The Loar' or 'Kentucky'?

[@RockPopMandolin]

Good question. Kentucky makes such a wide range of mandolins. My friend has a higher priced Kentucky and it’s really nice. Better than a Loar. But it’s in the $2000 range. I’d says Loars are better than lower-end Kentuckys in the $1000 range.

[@leesanna7835]

@@RockPopMandolin thank you so much 🙏

[@jamesreed1969]

I started with Kentucky, relatively cheap, but solid wood mandolin. My current one is made by Nick Lenski, owner and luthier of Brier Road Guitars shop from Berkshires in western Massachusetts. I love it! It has unique sound. The sides and back plate are made out of hardwood padauk. I mostly play classical music on it.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes, a good friend has a Kentucky. Nice instrument. But your Lenski sounds nice. Enjoy!

[@jamesreed1969]

@@RockPopMandolin thank you!

[@donaldfewell8908]

Thanks! Are there mandolins that have a wider than average neck? I have trouble playing average and smaller than average necks.

[@RockPopMandolin]

Yes. Mandolin necks can vary in width.

[@donaldfewell8908]

@@RockPopMandolin Thanks!

[@philparrish6914]

This $800 mandolin does not sound near as good as my $150 Savannah SF-200 that I bought a few years ago. The Savannah required very little setup and plays very well.

[@manguydude905]

Get your ears checked lol the Savannah SF-200 is cheap Chinese trash

[@ev25zv]

@@manguydude905 So is this one, lmao.

[@manguydude905]

Have you played a Savannah? This thing is like a Lloyd Loar compared to a Savannah lmao

[@casey17w]

Hi. Does this have a radius fretboard or is it flat?

[@RockPopMandolin]

It’s flat.

[@casey17w]

Thanks. Good work on the vid.

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@casey17w Thanks!

[@sukhdeosingh7931]

Mondolan ka price

[@RockPopMandolin]

Arigato gozaimasu!

[@edwardbrogan7341]

Starter for that $$$$$$ ?. No way n from CHINA ? nope !

[@RockPopMandolin]

Many “American” instruments are made in China mate, such as Kentucky, Eastman, Northfield, Washburn, etc. Some are excellent instruments. But to each his own! Cheers!

[@WtfYoutube_YouSuck]

I just bought my first mandolin in Tokyo! Where is the jam session?

[@RockPopMandolin]

What the Dickens!

[@WtfYoutube_YouSuck]

@@RockPopMandolin I'm an upright bass player in yokosuka. Been wanting a mando forever. Found a 1969 Gibson F5 in Ochanomizu and had to buy it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmXPZJ6Ihqdmqbc&ab_channel=WOODMANGUITAR This is the exact one.

[@RockPopMandolin]

@@WtfKZbin_YouSuck Looks sweet! Sounds great, too. Enjoy! The Dickens in Ebisu has jams every month.

[@WtfYoutube_YouSuck]

@@RockPopMandolin Thank you, Sir! I look forward to learning from your videos and maybe see you there!