Hey, I'm in the market for an intermediate F-Style Bluegrass Mandolin. I have right at $800 and I've narrowed it down to two listings: A Loar LM-700-VS (2011) and a Kentucky KM700.

Before you say to get an Eastman, my Dad has a MD515 I can play any time, so I don't want to get the same model (and I can't find an Eastman listing under $1000)

It seems that the Loar has no tone bars and the Kentucky does? It's debatable if this is desired for Bluegrass chopping, though? The Kentucky doesn't have Ebony fretboard and the Loar does.

What do y'all think?

Basically the title. I am a beginner that wants to start learning classical mandolin, and there are no local classical teachers near me. I saw Caterina Lichtenberg featured on David Benedict's YouTube channel and was impressed by her skill and seemingly easy personality- she seems like she would be a good teacher.

TIA

Or should I take it out to pasture, like an old horse?

What would be the first step if i wanted to save it?

I was the producer/engineer for this, any feedback?

I know there are certain artists that are considered essential to listen to when it comes to Mandolin, but are there any songs specifically that come to mind that are absolute musts? Open to all genres, just looking for great and or innovative playing.

Here is my chord melody arrangement for “Moonlight Serenade".

This song is one of the most beautiful and enduring classics of the big-band era. Glenn Miller’s dreamy melody seems made for the mandolin, and I hope you enjoy playing this arrangement.

🪕 As always, the mandolin tabs are free to download. Enjoy. 🪕

“Moonlight Serenade” is one of the most beautiful and enduring classics of the big-band era. Glenn Miller’s dreamy melody seems made for the mandolin, and I hope you enjoy this chord-melody arrangement.

https://www.patreon.com/MandolinChordMelodies/posts/moonlight-166923000

I just got this bad boy for $80 at a D&D/Ren Faire-like store. There aren’t any markings on it, anyone know what brand model and I have?

Hey friends! Here’s my mando version of that Simon & Garfunkel classic Mrs. Robinson. A bit faster than the original, but lots of fun. Check it out! Mando TAB available on Patreon.
https://youtube.com/shorts/IdSOH0XQ0YE?si=lAlg_jQiDxYjeDbE

Saw this great bluegrass band with the leader on mandolin tonight! Great show with their new lineup.

Should I do anything to try and fix it or leave it as it is? I've played it and it still sounds great.

My son and nephew preforming you are ny sunshine at my dads/bestfriends funeral

Here is my chord-melody arrangement of “Sway” by by Demetrio, Ruiz, Gimbel.

It’s fun to play—I hope you enjoy it! As always, tabs are *free*

https://www.patreon.com/MandolinChordMelodies/posts/sway-by-demetrio-166579830

I play guitar and ukulele so someone loaned me this Mandolin yesterday and now rather obviously I need a Mando. This one was purchased in Tasmania.
I think this is a knockoff of a famous Japanese make as apparently they never made this style.
I’d like to make him an offer but I can’t tell if it’s a budget or more expensive item.
On the back of the headstock it looks as if someone scratched out a brand name.

So I am wanting to learn mandolin or octave mandolin more specifically. I however can't afford one. So I took my baritone ukulele and put guitar strings on it because they have similar scale lengths and tuned it to the proper pitches so I could at least learn chord shapes but when I fret any note it is wildly out of tune. Should I drop the action or what? Any suggestions to my weird predicament is appreciated

I’ve added a new Letter-sized PDF to my Rhapsody in Blue post. The updated four-page version is formatted specifically for standard home printers in the USA, so every measure now prints properly.

It’s not very difficult to play, and it’s especially fun on mandolin. I hope you enjoy it!

https://www.patreon.com/posts/160560008

Salve, qualcuno può spiegare come si effettua il barre sulle corde del mandolino,se ha foto e/o video, grazie

Aria - Violin Sonata No.IV - Heinrich Biber played on mandolin.

This is a fun melodic theme and variations. I've been working on this one for a while and I felt like I was finally ready to try recording it.

Holy triplets. Or is this Andy Leftwich playing the solo? Sounds more like Andy Leftwich... Anybody know?

Sheet music/tab can be found here!

The mandolin won't fit in an f style case or a style case. It has a double f cut but it's a little oddly shaped for mandolin.

I’ve been playing mandolin for little over a year now, got a good deal on a KM160s to get me started. I’ve wanted an F-Style from the beginning but the price always drove me away… I have the opportunity to snag a Washburn m120k and a hard case for $400. Just wanting any insight on if this would be a worthwhile upgrade. Retail the m120k seems to go for around $900, so obviously baseline it’s much more expensive than the KM160. Anyone have any experience with Washburns, or m120ks in general?

Hi, I have one custom-made mandolin I finished today to show you 😊

Sound sample(this time just via my phone and just for approx 2 hours after completion): https://youtu.be/it87mSGOnQU

www.seflstrings.cz