R
Good enough
This is not a quality instrument, but you have to pay ~800 for a quality octave mandolin. So this was perfect to learn on and find out if it's an instrument I enjoy. It's not great, but everything genuinely is just good enough.
- Nut is cut way too low, but there's a zero fret so the only impact is you can't use a strap under the strings.
- Action is so, so high. You can take the saddle off and sand it, but it's not adjustable and comes around 8mm high at fret 12.
- The finish on the body is nice, but the neck is so bad that after a week of playing you can see the finish rubbing away on the edge of the fretboard. Think deliberate road-worn finishes... but on the edge of your fretboard.
- No fret sprout through the sides, but some frets are genuinely not glued in at all, can just lift them out.
- Electronics are surprisingly good.
Know yourself. This isn't the instrument to buy to continue your folk career. If you've always been interested in OM, this is a fantastic way to start.
- Nut is cut way too low, but there's a zero fret so the only impact is you can't use a strap under the strings.
- Action is so, so high. You can take the saddle off and sand it, but it's not adjustable and comes around 8mm high at fret 12.
- The finish on the body is nice, but the neck is so bad that after a week of playing you can see the finish rubbing away on the edge of the fretboard. Think deliberate road-worn finishes... but on the edge of your fretboard.
- No fret sprout through the sides, but some frets are genuinely not glued in at all, can just lift them out.
- Electronics are surprisingly good.
Know yourself. This isn't the instrument to buy to continue your folk career. If you've always been interested in OM, this is a fantastic way to start.
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W
Not Quite
This is a VERY nice sounding instrument. It is cheaply constructed, but constructed well. It is not adorned with binding but the colour is pleasing. My quibble is the set up.
The bridge was insanely high. I have experience building a lot of electric guitar from scratch and so I wasn't phased by this and adjusted the height to my pleasing but a novice would have to seek professional help to get it to play to it's optimum.
That having been said the sound it made was awesome!
The bridge was insanely high. I have experience building a lot of electric guitar from scratch and so I wasn't phased by this and adjusted the height to my pleasing but a novice would have to seek professional help to get it to play to it's optimum.
That having been said the sound it made was awesome!
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N
Suitable return for the pricepoint
Without a major background with mandolins and having played my first one only 6 months prior, I was still pleased by the sound produced by the thing. Like others have said the build quality is a bit lightweight, but tonally it's satisfying, especially considering the price. New strings and a setup would go a long way as well!
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