I think I've changed my on the Ibanez Rg (once again)

I do want one but with the money I have to spend on music stuff I do prefer to buy things that will really add something different to my collection and my Tyler is more than enough superstrat and for the amount I use the bar on that I don't think a Floyd is a need at the moment.

However I have been toying with the idea of a mandolin, for a few reasons.
1, it will add to my country/Folk acoustic tracks,
2, it is portable and something I can take on travels easily
3, There is so much classical material out there for the violin which translates and will be a good reason to get reading music
4, Great alt and crosspicking practice which will help on guitar too
5, Andy Wood and Chris Thile

Oh and if I really feel the need I can go to the pub and join in a trad session here in Galway

I have a mandolin it's got a pickup so you can plug it in for recording. It's a decent unit but not expensive. I think it was less than $100. If it's your first mandolin, I'd say start small. I would not suggest you spend ibby money on an instrument you've never really tried, assuming you have not of course

You could buy a nice used ibby and a new mandolin for what you probably planned on spending on a new ibby.
But some folks just wanna buy really nice instruments cause they think it will make them want to practice more. And it does! For about a week. After that, typically, you might as well have saved your money. But your mileage may vary.


Todd

Todd you're forgetting how lucky you are living in the US when it comes to the availability and price of instruments.

I'll be paying about €925 for a mid-entry level F style mandolin with a bridge upgrade and setup. I used to have a cheap £200 one when I lived in the UK and it was used a little but did eventually go into the bin.

I'm aware I could get better for cheaper with an A style mandolin but the aesthetics don't do it for me as shallow as that is, and I think tonally F style is better for bluegrass as well as looking so much cooler ( can you look cool playing a mandolin?) .

Egad!! Nearly a thousand euros wow. That's commitment right there. I've known guys who spent less on wedding rings. For that price I hope she's a doozy! Mine is a Rogue A style with a pickup in it and it ran about $100 U.S. with case. I don't play mine much so I can't imagine spending that kind of money on one. That's about 3 guitars for me, if I get lucky and stay patient of course Saving up for some new axes to make some new vids with. I never made a vid with my mandolin, I think I will now Be sure to share pix / vid when it comes in!

Todd

My guitar buyer has fallen through so I have longer to wait.

Mandolins are much more expensive than guitars I have come to learn. I don't see myself upgrading so I'd like to get something I can really get to grips with that can hold its own, if I get serious

Having gone down the road of over spending on something that I hoped I would like, I have to at least try to warn you against overspending on your first Mandolin. On Thomann.de (assuming you can buy from there) I saw several under $300. As you are new to the instrument, I'd say get a starter. If you like it, play a bunch, you can always sell it and get a better one. I got a cheap one and it's been plenty as I honestly rarely play it despite the fact I was born and bred in Kentucky which is the home of Bluegrass music and a center for Mandolin playing. So I've said my bit, now you gotta do what you gotta do

Tod

I'll weigh in with this ...
Learning a new instrument is one of the best ways to improve on your main instrument and get better at music in 'general'.
And yes, decent to high quality mandos are way more expensive than electric guitars.

I was able to go and play the two on my short list last week.



The Eastman was better setup out of the box so was a little easier to play and get clear notes, but I'll go for a setup and new bridge anyway. The Loar comes with Gotoh tuners so slightly better hardware wise, tonally they were similar with the Eastman a little brighter. It will be a hard choice.

+100! I want a Korg Kronos and I am kicking myself for not buying the one I saw a while back for $1000.

I'd also love a decent weighted 88 Key stage piano. I tinker a little

Ken you are so right about learning a new instrument helping to improve your skills on your main instrument. My alt picking is getting better and also because I am limited in the tunes I am learning and what I can play on the mandolin, I am learning how to focus on one or two things

Agreed Adding more instruments is a great way to get better at music in general, and guitar in specific imho. Learning to play Mandolin, accoustic, piano, drums, etc. can only increase your ability with your primary instrument. I started with drums and I'm glad I did. I have an almost innate sense of timing now that really helps. I don't need the "CLICK" track when recording in a daw for example, i can just listen to the drums. Some folks really need that click or they don't play on beat. Let's hear it for drums!

Congrats on adding Mandolin to the pack! Please do record some bits for us to hear! I've got a mandolin well, bought for the same reasons as you really, but I didn't go for a pricey one as I wanted to save for my first prestige. however, the one I got has a pickup in it so it can record and plays well enough Very glad I added one.

Todd