Quality mandolins can be had for under $100, but making an informed purchase requires that you become very accomplished identifying instrument makes and model numbers, as well as identifying any repairs that may need to be done now or in the near future. Stick to well respected online dealers if you are unable to buy from a local shop. If possible, avoid instruments under $100. These seemingly too good to be true prices will cause you more trouble than they are worth. If you want to try the mandolin before you buy it, which can be a valuable learning experience, bring someone you know that plays the mandolin (or guitar or violin, so long as they have some knowledge of how a properly set up instrument should play and sound) with you when you go shopping at your local music store. See my thoughts on getting a Proper Setup. If you are not having any fun, you won’t feel motivated to become more proficient. The most important part of playing an instrument is to enjoy playing music on your own and with those around you. If you buy a cheap mandolin that is badly constructed or badly set up, you will be less apt to play it and your enjoyment, interest, and ambition will suffer. Here are three mandolins I recommend to people who have specific budgetsĭo not just go for the least expensive instrument you can find! You should buy a mandolin that sounds and plays well without breaking the bank.
![beginner kentucky mandolin a style beginner kentucky mandolin a style](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0147/9412/9472/products/1_1_464_750x.jpg)
I am using a planet waves strap and a Primetone 1.5 Triangle pick, no Tone Gard, and McClung armrest recorded in the same way that I record all of my regular lessons The Long Answer I can only offer it as an example, and make no promises to the way it compares to similar mandolins. Here is a quick example of my personal KM-150. If you buy it from Elderly or another well respected instrument shop, it will be ready to play right out of the box! To me, the kentucky is the clear winner in (and often out) of it’s price range. I find the picks that ship with the Mandolin Outfit to be a little too round for my tastes.
![beginner kentucky mandolin a style beginner kentucky mandolin a style](https://primesound.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Rogue-RM-100A-A-Style-Mandolin2.jpg)
Buy yourself a strap (or find a piece of string or a shoe lace as a substitute) and you will be ready to go! Also, buy a handful of picks in different sizes, shapes, and thicknesses to see what you like best. Every one of these mandolins that I have played has sounded great and played easily, and give you a lifetime of enjoyment. The Elderly Instruments Mandolin Outfit comes with an expertly set up mandolin, a case, an extra set of strings, an electronic clip-on tuner, two flatpicks, a string winder, a polishing cloth, and a copy of the “Absolute Beginners: Mandolin,” book/CD. There are cheaper instruments out there, but I have yet to find a readily available package that offers more quality for less money. You should buy the Elderly Instruments Mandolin Outfit. I will give you two answers, the short answer and the long answer. This is by far the question I am asked most frequently.