1 comments about Bargain Mandolin.

1. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RYWFS7CRAZNY0 Introduction to the Bargain Mandolin, discussion about shortcomings, fit and finish, setup, and playing demonstration of the sound.

4 comments about Johnson MA100 Lynchburg Mandolin, Black.

1. I bought one of these for myself in 2004. Then, I took the strings off -- they're second-rate anyway -- so that I could fix it properly.
   
   The nut was misaligned, two millimetres too high, & stood off the fingerboard due to excess glue.
   
   The bridge was slightly bent, & had poor final shaping.
   
   I sat down with two pieces of sandpaper (Fine & Extra-Fine) &, while watching TV for two hours, did a few hundred dollars' worth of fixing. I shoved the nut loose, trimmed it, & removed the dried glue. Then I reshaped the bridge feet so they met the body perfectly, narrowed the saddles, & sanded the lands on either adjust-post. Then I put it back together & played it for hours.
   
   Don't get me wrong. This is a beautiful instrument, & you'll kick yourself the first time you scratch it. The deep gloss black works very well with the milk-white binding. The fitting is surprisingly good for a commercial instrument at any price. And the tone comes across as mature & well-seasoned right out of the box -- I'd compare it to that of a mando that's had a good home for ten years or more.
   
   For this price, if you're a working musician, get two or three & do the work. All it's missing is a pickup. The tone is satisfying, & the left-hand feel surprisingly good. If someone handed this to me (with the above repairs) blindfolded, & said it retailed at $600, I wouldn't doubt it based on playability.



2. I am a guitarist primarilly, and wanted to get started playing the mandolin without spending a fortune. I have not regretted purchasing the Johnson MA100. In fact, it has become my favourite instrument to play when I'm sitting around the house.
   
   Firstly, it's a beautiful instrument. The inlays on the headstock and fretboard are fabulous, and the white trim looks really sharp against the black finish. Even the pickguard looks good.
   
   The edges of the f-holes are a little rough, but no more so than on a Fender mandolin (which would be more than triple the price). I agree that the bridge feet don't quite sit perfectly on the body, but again, no more so than on a Fender. A little sanding would easily fix that - thanks for the tip.
   
   The strings should ABSOLUTELY be changed as soon as you get your mandolin. I'm not sure they even had the proper strings on the mandolin when they shipped it. I had two strings break when I was tuning it up, and I was a good 3 or 4 semitones below 'standard' GDAE tuning. I put on some d'Addario strings for about $10 and now it plays beautifully. Nice bright tone, and great sustain.
   
   I have limited experience with mandolins, but as a guitarist looking to increase my collection of fretted stringed instruments, I would say that this one is brilliant.



3. I think that this mandolin is an excellent buy but I do agree that some of the strings on the thing are not up to snuff. There is one other factor. This mandolin appears to be identical to the black mandolin sold under the Rogue name.
   
   I did not have a problem with this since I already have the black Rogue and the different name helps me keep them apart. I should be noted though that the black Rogue is cheaper and that you could get the Rogue starter kit with a gig bag, a book, etc. for just a few bucks more. Both are rather striking and attractive instruments and mine have a ringing, bell like sound that I rather like.
   
   This, the Rogue, the Dean mandolin, and the Ariena A mandolin all fit the Musician's Friend hardshell case which I highly reccomend.



4. if you have never picked up a mandolin before, do it. i've been playign piano for 7 years now and have become pretty good at it, and a great way to improve your dextarity it to pick this up. for $65, you get a very nice sounding instrument that eveyone will over-estimate the price of. the action isn't too high which makes for fast, easy playing. i would absolutly reccomend buying strings to go along with this as they will break when it's least convenient for you. also, don't bother with adds for a violin tuner (its the same as a mandolin tuner) as you will find out that its far easier to get the proper tunign off of a keyboard or piano (if it's in tune). Also, dont buy the set of 12 picks as well. It's not worth it. The picks cost about $2 and the shipping costs about $7 for some reason which is rediculous.
   
   overall, well worth $65.

No comments about Carlo Robelli TM002 Mandolin (Sunburst).

No comments about Crescent High Gloss Black Mandolin.

1 comments about Epiphone MM-30 Mandolin, Antique Sunburst.

1. I purchased this mandolin a few days ago and I am satisfied with not only its aesthetic value(having a beautiful finish and color), but the sound and quality; this instrument resonates very well and the action is not too high like many mandolins I have played. I would suggest purchasing this item at a local guitar center or such, given that I am not sure how well this instrument is handled when being shipped.

No comments about Baritone Ukulele.

1 comments about Epiphone Electric EFMB Mandobird IV, Vintage Sunburst.

1. ...add a 4-string Mandobird to the mix. Epiphone's edgy looking Thunderbird throwback mandolin is perfect for the fretboard enthusiast in your life. While it's clearly not a replacement for a good acoustic 8-string, it's definitely a heckuva lot of fun to pick with in a blues or electric set. Throw in your choice of effects to flavor, you'll be good to go.
   
   Pros: good pegs + only 4 strings = easy to keep in tune; lightweight but solid body won't weigh you down but seems pretty durable; lots of novelty points when people think it's a mini-guitar and you tell them it's actually an electric mandolin
   
   Cons: a little pop on the low string, but nothing a DI box doesn't take care of; cheap nut makes for slightly higher action on the high string, but nothing a quick setup won't fix
   
   Final score of 9/10 because it's about the least expensive, coolest looking, solid-sounding electric mando that I've come across.

2 comments about Epiphone Mandobird-VIII, Vintage Sunburst.

1. This instrument should be of interest to both mandolin and electric guitar players, as it is a cross between both. Finally an affordable mandolin that you can practice quietly without a person in the next room hearing you. It should also be of interest to violin and fiddle players as it is tuned the same way as a violin and should be fairly easy for someone who plays either the violin or guitar to learn. I also highly recommend MusiciansFriend the vendor that sold this instrument to me through Amazon. An amazing bargain and an amazing instrument. Get one, you won't be sorry.



2. This is an exceptional value for a quality instrument. The choice of wood gives a good resonant tone even without being plugged in, and the beatuifully finished frets and neck make it a real pleasure to play. Like many mandolins, the intonation neeeded a little work, but the easy adjustment on the bridge meant that this was no problem. Perhaps a more expensive instrument might have individually adjustable saddles, which is the only improvement I would ask for. The machines are smooth and positive, with no detectable slack, and the tuning holds very well (another problem with most mandolins!) Plugged in the tone is ecellent and the pickup gives a faithful bright tone. Not only that, but the look and sunburst finish make this an instrument that any folk rocker would be proud to take on stage with them. Get one. You won't regret it.

1 comments about Epiphone MM-30E Acoustic-Electric Mandolin, Transparent Blue.

1. The instrument looks beautiful and the sound is decent acoustically or plugged-in. The action needed some adjustment when I got it out of the box, which is not unprecedented. The only major flaw was that one of the string slots on the nut was cut too deep and I had to do a little glue job to get it working right. If you don't have any luthier's skills you may need to take this thing into a shop before you can use it properly.

No comments about Laurel A Style Mandolin with flat back.