Mandolin advice

[Creeker]

I thinking about getting and learning to play the mandolin. I've been playing guitar for about twenty years and I'm looking to finally branch out. Just looking to know about some of your experiences with different brands and styles. I've been looking at a Washburn F style. Thanks.

[Walter82]

Hi
A few years ago I picked up this delightful instrument having put it off for years.
You will find everything you know from the site called mandolin cafe.
What you aim to buy depends on your budget but if you are going to play celtic music I would tend to an A style mandolin which will be cheaper so you will get a better quality at a lower price.
PM me if you would like to discuss anything. They are a bit like Kilts so many options and accessories to drive you slightly insane.
First up will be to learn Flower of Scotland, of course!

[Steve of Lansing]

I vote go ahead and do it!

I have a Kentucky KM-150 Standard that my folks got me for Christmas 5 or 6 years back, and I just love the thing. They're small and light for portability, they sound sweet, they'll change the way you play and think about music, and as a bonus, once you get good at playing them, you have a leg up on learning the fiddle, because they're tuned the same.

[gary meakin]

I have this

By Lonestar.
Not anywhere near top of the line but not el cheapo either..
Pretty good sound and fairly decent action.
I don't know about a Washburn mandolin but I never played a Wasburn guitar I didn't like.
I say get one. They're fun to play and easy to learn.

[DougC]

I'll second a Kentucky. Look for solid wood top, sides and back and you cant go wrong.

[James Hood]

Dear wife left her Ibanez F-5 style mandolin when she departed for the next realm quite some time ago. As a guitar picker, thought was to invent a custom set of strings for it and have the neck adjusted for the tension to tune to DGBE as top strings of guitar, but octave.

It did not work out, despite efforts. Kinda gave up but still pick at it on occasion. Best of fortune and keep us posted.

If you'd like something a bit more guitarist-friendly, give the 4-course bouzouki a look. Try Lark In The Morning for a selection, Bouzouki World for the real thing. Did purchase a Greek bouzouki from BW and just love it. Flat top, flat back Celtic bouzoukis are less expensive and are tuned CFAD, a full step down from guitar, with commensurately longer scale.

[Tobus]

I thinking about getting and learning to play the mandolin. I've been playing guitar for about twenty years and I'm looking to finally branch out. Just looking to know about some of your experiences with different brands and styles. I've been looking at a Washburn F style. Thanks.

I can't speak for the Washburn F-style specifically, but I've had some real problems with Washburn quality. I had always wanted a Washburn guitar, and ordered one a few years ago. The thing was cheaply built, poor quality, and virtually unplayable. I sent it back the same day. That kind of soured me on that brand name. You might want to do some serious reading by searching for that specific model over at Mandolin Cafe (I'm a member there too, though I haven't posted in a few years). Their mandolins may be made by a good factory, unlike the Chinese factory that made the guitar I bought.

I play a Michael Kelly F-style. Certainly not a top-of-the-line brand, but it's a decent instrument that won't break the bank while still offering decent quality.

[Pyper]

These are popular in Irish music:

http://www.bigmuddymandolin.com/

Got one for my wife -- it's a good instrument.

Got it from Acoustic Corner in NC through the mail. Great people to deal with.