058 RSW Setup and Review of a Rogue A style Mandolin

Unboxing, reviewing and setting up a Rogue A-Style mandolin. This is the mandolin that I recommend to my students that are just starting and are not sure they will stick with it.

[rick]

Just started learning mandolin. Think I'm going to get one of these. Played guitar over 50 years. Thanks for the review. It helped a lot.

[audiotechlabs]

Jerry, I'm a good ol boy from "Missoura". Born in St. Louis, grew up in Hartsburg and Columbia and Jeff City. Lived in Ellington and Lebanon, played music all over Mo.. I just recently found your channel was blowed away with you and all you do. You are a top self maker and repair man and I love your posts on your life other than music. You make me homesick. The next time I visit my family I would love to meet you, if that could happen. Thanks so much for these wonderful videos. Thankz

[tiposxdiesel]

Hi Jerry from the UK. I want to thank you for this and all your videos. After watching this review I became a little curious and found the uk version which is a Stagg M-20 at a bargain price. I have just received it as my 62nd birthday present
and have spent the afternoon setting it up like you have shown us- lowering and crowning a fret, re-cutting the nut and saddle, cleaning up and oiling the fretboard then setting the action. Now it is low enough to grab a pick like yours do! I am a pretty feeble guitarist and a reasonable bassist with big fat fingers so I wasn't confident about the mandolin - but I have just strummed my first song in open chords and the sound of this instrument is a real joy -it is wonderful. So I am grateful to you for sending me on this journey - keep the videos coming, you are a real inspiration in many ways. I especially love your ranch!

[michaelpthompson]

I took mine to a professional luthier to have it set up. He was amazed they could even provide the Materials at this price for a mandolin that sounds this good. It's not a pro quality mandolin, but dollar for dollar, this is a great little instrument.

[RobGale]

Just got one these, before seeing your video and I'm really pleased with it. I only had to do a minor adjustment to the bridge to get the intonation right. Thanks for all the tips on setting it up properly. I'm so pleased with it and have picked it up almost every day because it's so much fun. It's my first mandolin and I which I had taken the plunge earlier!

[timtheconjurer]

I have a rogue arriving tomorrow as a starter instrument. Saved this and the mandolessons videos on set up. I'm sure they will be near invaluable to me. Thank you for the video!

[thecuddlyviking]

I used this video as soon as I got mine in. Had it for a month now and I love it, I have trouble tuining at the 12th fret but when in beginning I heard I can tune each string and match at the 7th fret of the string above. VERY HELPFUL! If you are just starting this will take a load off worrying. Thank you very much :)

[carlossanz]

I like adjusting musical instruments and all of my friend pass their guitars to me. A friend of mine has just bought a Harley Benton mandolin and I had never adjusted one. This video is very useful for me. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your time.

[TroyBoyleAtheistAdvocate]

Just bought one for my son, based on your review. He's already a phenomenal electric player, but I thought he'd like having this additional instrument in his arsenal. They're $59 brand new right now in 2020. Still very inexpensive.

[renosmaster]

Awesome video , thank you. I play guitar and have always wanted a mandolin . This video will help me a great deal .👍

[rickatica]

I have an old Rogue banjo I've been playing for 14 years, still sounds good, better than when it was new.

[bleikrsound]

On a whim, about five years ago Bleikr Studio purchased one of these with oval sound hole ( research has shown that the 'A' style body with an oval hole are more traditional ). We were pleasantly shocked that a very low-priced instrument came with a near perfect setup, although I did lower the nut slots for a feather-touch action ( I do this on all stringed instruments ). The tuners are adequate. After several years being kept in a climate controlled room ( appx. 50% humidity - I prefer all string instruments kept on the dry side for better resonance), this Rogue mandolin has cured nicely. Muting strings from bridge to tailpiece will stop any unwanted ringing overtones. Don't let the low price dissuade anyone, this is not a 'toy' instrument, although it's sound is 'thinner' than more expensive models.

[michaelpthompson]

I have this exact model, except mine is black. Took it to an excellent luthier for setup. He told me he could not imagine how they even sourced the parts and materials for what I paid for it. It has its own sound, but I've played it in many an Irish session.

[AdamChitown]

Hi Jerry, I know it's hard to be you, but we all want to be like you. Bought a brand new Rogue, $59.99 with free shipping. Would love a Rosa, but for a starter, what you said was fair and most noble. Thank you. I've been watching you work, I love your dedication and honesty. Adam Austin Arnold. Maybe I'll ship my Gurian SM3 to you, and you can do a video on the Mortice Tenion (sp) set up of the neck/body attachment...or maybe you had one and said, never again....But thank you so much, you are a true individual...AAA

[reinab]

My sister just got me one for my birthday, and as I unboxed it I noticed the bridge was cracked! Got to return it now, but look forward to playing it.

[zapapnt]

I have just purchased one of these from Musician's Friend (before seeing this video)
$79.99. (Things change in 5 years)🙄
It certainly needed some setup. (and correction)
Had to adjust the tightness of and oil the tuners.
The plastic nut was off center and, certainly, cut high so, since I had to knock it loose anyway, I went ahead and made a bone one.
Installed a StewMac bridge with one of Jerry's antler saddles and new strings (the originals were not in good shape).
Also needed to dress the fret ends (very sharp) and found 2 frets high, so dressed them down.
And then, of course, a gig bag $49.99.
I've spent more On it than I Paid for it but that's OK, because some of this would need to be done to a higher priced product, as well.
As Jerry mentioned, it certainly is a good place to start and, for a plywood box, it has some decent sound.
I am very happy with the product and what it has cost me.😎
Now we'll see if I can learn to play it. 🤣🤣🤣

[denniscleveland]

I’m still pretty new to the mandolin and my daughter got me an Epiphone f5 for a Christmas present. It needed the same kinda setup and she also sprung for a bone nut. My wife bought me a Martin Backpacker as well. They’re both fun and sound a bit different from each other.

[sweetgherkinz]

Whoa... new strings REALLY make it sound good!

[rmiraflor]

I bought a Rogue mandolin from Musicians Friend a few years ago, the $99 version with the pickup, and it has surpassed all my expectations for an inexpensive instrument. It came setup quite nicely and very playable. I say that as an experienced guitar player with no mandolin experience. May be time for an upgrade but it has served well as a starter instrument.

[ijosef]

I bought a used one from Goodwill for $20. I took the pickguard off but other than that it's pretty much stock (also the tailpiece cover was gone when I bought it -no big deal). Like any ultra-low budget import, there isn't much quality control. You might get a bad one that's almost unplayable, or you might get one that's ready to go right out of the box. It's really the luck of the draw with anything like that, so take advantage of MF's return policy. If they send you a lemon, call them and get it exchanged until you get a decent one.