The Best Budget Mandolin?

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[hcc]

Just got my first mandolin- my first instrument ever- at a local music shop. The owner was very nice and helpful. Ended up with a Stadium, A5, brand new for $170. All set up ready to play. Very pleased with it. And as someone living on a tight budget, but still wanting to enjoy life a little, this fit the bill. Er, budget.

[mendyviola]

As a multi-decade classical violist, was thinking about a mandolin but know I didn’t want an unplayable one. Thank you for this.

[arglass]

I've been a Sweetwater customer for years. I've even visited their Ft. Wayne facility and got a tour (and lunch!) by my sales rep. A real class act all around. Glad you guys connected!

[kosmokritikos]

I bought one of those a few years ago and have been very pleased with it. Tremendous value. Incredible sustain with natural vibrato.

[Reignvermont]

I purchased this Mandolin in October of 2020! I love it! I am flying high right now because my favorite “mando man” recommends it. Thank you Baron for all you do. Happy Holidays to you and yours ❤

[stephenchalmers]

Couldn't agree more about Sweetwater. I've had nothing but good experiences with them over the years and having a personal sales engineer is a huge plus. I'm actually watching this video because I'm about to upgrade from my Rogue RM-100A, which served its purpose but requires an upgrade to a solid top instrument now that I know I want to stick with it. I'm mainly a guitarist, though, so I don't really need a higher end instrument. The Loar Honey Creek A-style seems to be right in the sweet spot for me and the satin finish, which I prefer to a high gloss, is exactly what I want. These are on backorder right now, but this video has helped me decide to pull the trigger on one as soon as they're in. Thanks for the helpful video.

[trevorclark]

I’ve tried both the F and A style Honey Creek. And I thought the A style sounded better. I wanted to buy the F style because it looked cooler but after playing both the A-style sounded better and played better.

[bigshadeks]

I purchased an LM 310 model a few years back (when it cost what the A model costs now). I primarily use it to drag around at festivals and outdoor jams when I don't want to risk messing up my main mando (weather, etc). I had to do a little setup work out of the box, but other than that, this mandolin has been well worth it. It's a great starter with enough punch to keep up in a jam!

[RhonwenBear]

I received the Rogue for Christmas of 2021 and spent a lot of time researching an affordable replacement after I plucked away and decided I really did enjoy learning to play music. I chose this model for Christmas of 2022 and am in love with it.

[mrapatheist]

This is the mandolin my wife bought me three years ago. Your endorsement means a lot, thank you. And let me second your recommendation for Sweetwater vs Amazon. This one came from Amazon and was not set up; the action was unplayably high & I had to sort it out on my own, having only ever worked on flat top guitars. Also it has a bad fret. I wish we'd gotten it from Sweetwater, as they have always been amazing with their customer service and easy returns. Cheers!

[gdsandkes]

I bought this very Loar last week even before seeing your review. This is actually my second mandolin (my first was bought at a local music store). I do like it, it needed the bridge to be adjusted lower, but now it is set up well. I also just learned "Soldiers Joy" from your lesson. Thank you

[Swampykins]

Great video, Baron! I got a The Loar LM-310 F-style a few years back and still keep it as my office mando even after getting a better mandolin. Had to adjust the truss rod once and that has been all the maintenance I've done to it so far.

[joekagerer]

Amazon is a Book Store, Sweetwater is a Music Store... I appreciate your effort in this, Thanks Baron!

[thequietgitfiddler]

I've had this mando for a couple years and have been very happy with it.
Great move switching to Sweetwater. Have purchased a couple instruments, including my Loar, from them. Musical instruments is what they do.

[FunsongsMusicByPeterRahill]

I got a decent deal on a satin/matte finish one like this one, used from a local luthier. It has great tone and can be set up to play nicely. My only 'gripe' (which I will get fixed) is the too-tall posts that support the saddle part of the bridge; which I upgraded to a deer antler saddle. The too-tall posts don't resist forward-leaning as well as they might. Hope that helps. I like mine very much, and appreciate you recommending The Loar to others.

[michelle-psl]

Just happened to wind up with this exact model- used. I bought it a while ago with a hard case, a bridge piezo pickup, leather strap and some accessories for around $280. The action seemed a little high and I finally got around to taking it to my local luthier for set up. Had to drop some cash because it needed more than just a standard setup - fret leveling, etc - but I'm happy with it. Now it's (relatively) easy to play. Nice tone and resonance.

[Romans--bobr]

Great Video!! Before watching this video... I bought my first Mandolin... The Loar LM-310, which is the "F" style version of the LM-110 that you have. I love it, and definitely a Higher end "Beginners" Mandolin... Excellent quality for money. I'm so glad to hear that you're trying to find "The best bang, for the buck".... especially for beginners, like although, I do play electric & Ukelele Bass guitars, as well as Lap Steel.

I think that "possibly", your LM-110 ("A" style) projects a bit more volume, than the LM-310 ("F" Style).... other than that, and obvious body style differences.... they are pretty much the same.

From what I've seen... most "F" style mandolins, are around a hundred dollars more than their "A" style counterparts... so, if one can afford an "F" style.... than you would actually be buying a "Step - up" in quality, if you could find an "A" style in the same approximate price range that you would pay for an "F" style. I really appreciate your (absolute) "beginner" lessons.. they have helped me out, Immensely.

I only just bought my Mandolin about 2 months ago.... hopefully will be able to get good enough to jam with others in the area, by the end of this year (2024). I've decided that I really like playing the mandolin, so will be looking for an "A" style as well... probably another "Loar".

Keep up the great work in your video's.... their very much appreciated, Thank You.

PS;.... I subscribed, "liked" & rang the bell, after watching the very first video of yours... just a week after buying my Mandolin.... Oh!!... and by the way.... I'm 74+ years, "young" and having fun with all this! : )

[gasworker]

Happy you hooked up with Sweetwater.... I've been learning from your videos for about a year and have learned so much...thank you Baron.

[DonHansen-mt]

Very helpful info about these mandos and your lessons are excellent, Baron.

[JJ_TheGreat]

4:30 The problem, though, is finding a store which has mandolins. The stores I have gone to only have a few.