[PsychodelicHats]

I am going to buy an electric mandolin and I don't know where to start. Are there any mandolin players out there who would like to share their expertise on the subject? I'd appreciate it greatly.

[lostsailor8782]

After 25 years of guitar playing , the past year has brought a change, my primary instrument is now Mandiolin, I have played and looked at a bunch of them and Micheal Kelly makes some great ones that are both affordable and really good instruments

[HansDerTans]

I'm looking for the same advice that you're asking for. I've got a lot of people telling me to get an acoustic. But eventually I want to gig with it and I love the way an electric mandolin sounds through my amp (they had both items at guitar center so I got a chance to hear how the combo would sound at home and at gigs and jam sessions.) I love the tone. I'm not going to use any effects with my mandolin, except maybe a pinch of reverb and a hint of delay.

[PsychodelicHats]

I've been playing acoustic mandolin for a while now. I just want something new to use in my bluegrass band.

[strumminsix]

Each time I see this thread title I think of Rubin's painted mandolin.

[causebass]

I've played electric and acoustic mandolin in rock, folk, bluegrass and jamband settings (although my main instrument is bass). I started with cheap barely playable mandolins don't even remember the brand. Then traded in a bass for an amazing vintage Gibson A model from the 1920's..superb mando, eventually put a McIntyre pick up on it and used in through an LR Baggs acoustic DI, this worked pretty well, even used a small acoustic amp on stage on occasion (Crate). I started to crave a Rigel mandolin with built in pickup, bec they looked very cool and the Gibson was worth alot of $$ and didn't like taking in out to bars. I recently sold the Gibson after it sat in its case for a long time without being play and used the money to buy Clara (my custom 5 string bass). Don't remember when, but I also bought a true electric mandolin from fender, it was eight string with pickup , volume and tone control, around $200 used. Had that for a year , didn't really think much of it. Not a very good mandolin sound, I think they have a better version out (more like a F model) and that is supposed to be OK. I know there are vintage 4 string Fender Elec mando's, Sam Bush plays one and it rocks, but is more like an electric guitar sound. Last time I looked they were over $1000. My advice would be to look at an acoustic mando in the $300 range and get a pick up with it, stay with an A model, the extra punch and volume of an F model doesn't mean much when you are plugged in, unless you are going to play bluegrass acoustically into a mike.Hope this helps
http://www.theCAUSEjams.com

[mutant_dan]

If you want to stay under $300 I would look at the Epiphone mandobird IV and upgrade the pickup and electronis.

If you have over a grand to spend, check out:

http://www.honestronsguitars.com/

Ron can build you a nice strat or tele looking E-Mando that is really nice.

In addition, I have dropped this link before:

http://www.manndolins.com

Jonathan Mann will build you a Neck through Tiger copy for about $1400. You won't get all the fancy stuff but a basic electric mandolin that is killer.

Stay away from Rono, they guy who built Kang's e-mando's. He has taken deposits and hasn't delivered. He is being sued by a bunch of people.

[PsychodelicHats]

Alright, I read all of the posts and thanks for the information. I think the most I'm going to spend is $600 and because I already have a decent acoustic I want an electric (not acoustic with pickups). Also 4 strings would be nice. I was looking at the Eastwood Mandocaster. Can anyone tell me about that?

[mutant_dan]

Honest Ron might be able to put one together for 6 bills. Dangle the money in front of his nose, he might jump..

Also check http://www.emando.com/ for emando info...