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I've been playing 5 string banjo for over 40 years. I've played in bluegrass bands, country bands and done some studio work. I've always wanted to learn mandolin. A year ago someone gave me a brand new Rogue RM 100A - a real piece of crap but good enough to learn on. One day I opened the cloth case and it had sprung itself. The string tension just ripped the neck right off the body. Did I mention it's a piece of crap? Time to upgrade!

I bought an F style mandolin by The Loar, model LM-310F. It's a Chinese made instrument but I got a chance to try someone's at a bluegrass jam and I liked it. Can't afford American made . I bought an open box instrument from Sweetwater and it came in at about $350 which is not much for a decent mando. I think I got lucky. This thing was set up perfectly right out of the box. It plays really well and the sound is oh so sweet. I'll probably never be good enough on mandolin to play professionally but this will be a great instrument for my upcoming retirement.

Your friendly neighborhood Phil

When you do retire, there might be a nearby community centre with a woodworking shop you can join, and make your own instruments. There is one here with retired luthiers, carpenters, carvers. I’ve made a few instruments I couldn’t otherwise afford or find.

If you do this, you should make left handed instruments so you will be ready for the world being created by the Youtubers mentioned in your other recent post.

Awesome Phil!

One of my biggest regrets is not having learned to play a stringed instrument, at least one with which your fingers touch the strings! I've always envied the range of expression guitarists and their ilk have available, where a single note can be played about a million different ways.

Alas, at my advanced age, it is far too frustrating to turn away from my keys to another instrument that requires mastery to use to my satisfaction.

Play on, and enjoy Phil!

The Loar, model LM-310F

You got a very good price on a nice mandolin.
https://themusiclink.com/lm-310f-brb

I'm an authorized Recording King/Loar dealer and had input in the design. I try to always keep one in stock.

bayswater wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:40 am If you do this, you should make left handed instruments so you will be ready for the world being created by the Youtubers mentioned in your other recent post.

Phil O wrote: ↑Sun Mar 23, 2025 5:46 am

bayswater wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:40 am If you do this, you should make left handed instruments so you will be ready for the world being created by the Youtubers mentioned in your other recent post.

The Loar are one of those bargain companies like Gold Tone that don't really make any bad product, yet they aren't as well known as they should be. I considered them for my mandolin and my archtop guitar but wound up with D'angelico and Ibanez for the latter and Kentucky for the former. Interestingly, my Kentucky mandolin isn't their top-of-line but most people (including myself) think it sounds and plays better, so I'm not surprised your Loar is beyond its expectations for its price.

HCMarkus wrote: ↑Sat Mar 22, 2025 10:34 amOne of my biggest regrets is not having learned to play a stringed instrument, at least one with which your fingers touch the strings! I've always envied the range of expression guitarists and their ilk have available, where a single note can be played about a million different ways.

For the past 13 years playing drums has been a main source of income along with my recording studio (pre-covid anyway). Banjo kind of faded away, at least from a professional perspective. I've been practicing the new mandolin daily since I got it and it feels really good to be playing a stringed instrument again. Take something up. It's never too late to start!

Your friendly neighborhood Phil