I put off buying a mandolin for years, thinking my big fingers could not handle it. All that time wasted...
In February of 2020, just before all hell broke loose, I borrowed (a very good) mandolin to take a beginner course
run at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival. Instructor showed me three chords in the beginning, and I could not believe
how easy it was to change positions, I had a blast all day.
So, with the knowledge that I really
could make a go it it, while convelescing from my hip surgery, I laid in wait on Ebay to
see what came swimming by...I was told forget the cheapies at Guitar Center and the like, get a lower priced Eastman or
Kentucky or Loar (better manufacturers in the "Pacific Rim"), as that would give a better feel of the instrument. In my class
there were several Loar's, and I just didn't care for their sound so that brand was out...and the Kentucky in my image to the right
is what hit me first. Having seen so many at Kaufman Kamp, in my heart I wanted an F-style, but really,
truly!...an A-style (pear-shape)
will sound just as good.
Am I Chris Theile, of course not, I am just a hack. But its fun! And even though the strings are reversed and backwards, the chords
and scales really are pretty easy...I can certainly pick out melodies if needed, though I would hesitate to say "solo."
I think mine cost be about $750, it was a year or two old, perfect condition. I had a new cast tailpiece put on it at Kaufman this year,
as the pressed-steel pieces
everybody uses are a PIA when restringing, so that adds to my cost I guess.
Cannot urge you more strongly to GET ONE! But spend just a few dollars more and get a nice arched-top A-style...pick your finish!
And yes, there is MAS...Mandolin Aquisition Syndrome...I am longing for an oval-sound-hole F-style already...or maybe an octave
mandolin (big arch-top guitar looking thing like Sara Jaroz plays).
Buy One! Buy One! Buy One!