I'm new...both to the Hangout and the mandolin. I have been playing mandolin for 4 months. I have a Rover RM50 Player Series A-model...a great starter mandolin - solid spruce top, solid maple back and sides..wonderful voice..and inexpensive. I know we all have our different ideas about inexpensive..it came in a bundle with a really nice case, an extra set of strings, polish, a polishing cloth, and a little Cherub tuner..for $155.00. I still play her..MInna..every day. Recently, I got a Bon Air F-model from Guitar Works in Virginia..great hand-carving...solid throughout, and an awesome set-up. Has many of the qualites of the "big" names..and not anywhere near the price. I am happy to see this group..I care way less about "what" I play than "how" I play. That name on the headstock might be impressive...but it doesn't make a person play any better.
8 Comments |
 | Calmando says:
10/21/2012 7:48:33 PM
I have a Rogue RM-100A which I was given as a gift 3 1/2 years ago. It was bought from Musician's Friend and is currently about 50 bucks plus 25 shipping. Your package deal sounds like you got your money's worth. I ended up buying all the accessories separately. I've also checked out the Bon Air F-modules on Guitar Works web page. Looks like a good deal for I think about 400 bucks. How does it sound and play?
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 | Kristibob says:
10/21/2012 10:11:50 PM
The Bon Air is wonderful..really. The set-up that Brian did on the mandolin before it was sent to me makes playing it almost effortless, and it's voice stays very true all the way tup the neck. It's got great resonance, very bright and crisp high notes and low, rumbly lows..can bark and bite..but is also very nice on the slower stuff. Guitar Works promised me a great instrument, and I really think they kept their word. I asked them all kinds of questions, which they patiently answered and, if you end up buying one, if there is anything..anything at all...wrong with the instrument or you don't care for it..you can immediately return it. Brian, the owner of Guitar Works, and the one who answered all of my questions and did the set-up, told me, "We don't want you to have even 1 problem with the mandolin. We do not want to sell you something you don't like." I am very pleased with the Bon Air - it's solid all the way through, V-profile neck, lovely scalloped extended fretboard that is fretted all the way up...gorgeous finish..the sunburst is on the front, back, sides, and neck and very well done. There is one small area of my mandolin that has a slight flaw in the finish...but nobody sees it and you really have to look for it. Keep Guitar Works in mind if you're looking for a quality F model that won't break the bank, and everyone at Guitar Works loves their work...I know..sound like an ad..lol..don't mean to - it's just worked out really well for me.
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| Calmando says:
10/22/2012 2:02:31 PM
Wow, I'm sold. I was thinking of the next step up and it sounds like a great pick. Now I just have to save up. Thanks for the evaluation.
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| Kristibob says:
10/22/2012 2:38:26 PM
You are more than welcome. I, too, didn't have money to squander..disabled vets don't make much...lol..and I had made an F model mistake that cost me some money, so I was VERY careful with this purchase. I love my A model, and I play it every day, but I wanted an F model, too..(I now play both every day)...so I really, really shopped, and, like I said, I contacted Guitar Works by email and phone several times..and I told them, frankly, that I didn't want to get screwed again..and they totally understood. When the time comes that you can think about getting a Bon Air - call Guitar Works and talk to them. They are very forthcoming and they were very patient with all of my questions. The mandolin is hand-carved..starts, like many others, in China..but the final 20 steps and the set-up are all done in Richmond, by very talented people..so, it's "almost" American made..lol..you know what I mean. I liked that, too.
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| Kristibob says:
10/22/2012 2:45:57 PM
Oh - I meant to tell you..this is what is on the set-up checklist that you get with your mandolin..and this is all done by very skilled folks:
Strings
Nut
Saddle
Truss Rod
Action
Intonation
Frets
Bracing
Grade of Wood
FInish
Workmanship
Electronics (if applicable)
My mandolin came ready for me to play...I actually end up pressing too hard on the fret and making my tone a little sharp...it's so easy to play..I'm looking forward to the day I can do it justice..right now, it sounds like I'm killing a seagull with bagpipe..lol. All I had to do when I got it was tune it. I haven't had it long..still a string or two that doesn't like staying tuned. It stays tuned while I'm playing..but relaxes when it's put up. If you have any other questions..just ask...or get ahold of Guitar Works.
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| Kristibob says:
10/22/2012 2:49:49 PM
Geez - you're probably wishing you never posted..lol...the mandolin comes with Guitar Works' featherlite case, too...very, very nice and mine came strung with D'Addario EXP Light strings. The gauge is included on the set-up checklist so you can get the same strings every time that your mandolin was set up to play with.
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| Calmando says:
10/23/2012 11:23:58 AM
I appreciate your enthusiasm, thanks again
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 | OregonGal says:
3/5/2013 11:20:32 AM
Yes, it is important to use the same size strings as the ones you have it set up with. I had mine set up by a good luthier and the harmonics and all are just perfect now and the only buzz I get is when it is my fault.
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