I can definitely here the quality difference between the two mandolins but in my experience I think its clearly a set up and/or tuning problem. I have a kentucky km850 and an Epiphone MM30 and I can honestly say that with the right set up, I think they are about the same. The kentucky does have a deep sound. Check out one of my vids playing mandolin with the mm30 and you can really tell what difference a good set up makes.
I'm back. Do you know of any dealer that has good deals on Kentucky mandolins? Like, inclding a set-up and maybe even a hardshell case? Again I don't live in the UK, but I have tried the KM-550 and am confident that I will like that or the 505. But I feel it's all a bit too expensive here.
@DuskY1991 I'm afraid I bought mine unseen from Ebay. However, if you try the Mandolin Cafe website there are many good dealers and private sales which may meet your needs. Good luck.
@alicelookingglass How well was it set-up when you bought it unseen? I've read it can be kind of hairy on the Kentucky mandolins (as in directly from the factory). I don't mind buying off eBay, actually.
I'm already a member of the Café and getting good replies already.
@DuskY1991 I'm afraid I don't. Living in the Uk you have to travel a bit to get access to mandolins. As they're a fairly low-end instrument i would imagine you'd have to play a few to hit lucky with one that's playable as they all differ from instrument to instrument. As others have siad, set up is the key - especially with mandolins.
@crowebroke That's a pity, I don't live in the UK but on European mainland. I know a few guitar stores that have a handful of mandolins in stock but it's mostly Eastman as far as I am aware. Tanglewood have exceptional guitars and I would expect their mando's to be just as exceptional. But you're right, set-up is key and I have to be sure that the TWs have notes past the 12th fret! Thanks for your reply!
I have to agree about the setup as well on the MM-30. I have two MM-30/MM-30E, one from Korea, the other (MM-30E) from China. Other than they're both A style mandolins, they're not nearly the same instrument (regardless of one being E). From the nut to the bridge ofcourse, they are the same, but the necks are installed at different fret locations on each one. The Japanese instrument has a longer body overall and the top/bottom are flatter overall on the Korean made instrument. Korean is tinny.
Looking at current UK list the KM630 is 6 times the price.... That's not really a 'fair' comparison. Would also agree with the setup sounding out on the mm30. Nice playing though.
I agree about the playing and price, but it's useful to get a comparison like this, I wouldn't know where to begin with these things and as a novice they both look like nice instruments to me. So having this explained is really useful. Now all I have to do is practise.
I just sold the Epiphone on Ebay for £112. I bought the Kentucky from Ebay, oner month old, for £300. So I think the "six times" figure is a little out.
@crowebroke Nope...I stated UK new price. Epiphone = 99 quid, KM630 = 595 quid. Check it out - hobgogblin and dv247 for example. You did well to sell the ep for more than a new one!
The Epiphone mandolin is clearly not set up correctly. Any luthier could easily correct the intonation problems and by the sounds of it raise the action to get a better overall tone. Even a cheaper mandolin would sound better than this with the correct set up.
Nice one, hope it works out well for you. I bought the Kentucky unseen and it turned out well. You should get a softer more classical sound from the curved book.
I put up with mine for years, suddenly with a decent instrument I'm practising and improving every day. If the thing sounds rubbish you won't be inspired to play to your best. I hesitated about the cash, but I'm so pleased I went for it.
not "far more" - the KM630 was only three hundred quid (pounds) from the US. It is very much part of the cheaper end of the Kentucky F shaped mandolins. I would suggest that it is false economy purchasing something like the Epiphone because, as I think this video demonstrates, you aren't going to be happy with it once you start playing a bit.
it doesn't even sound like you tuned the epiphone
ghsr82 2 months ago
Lovely stuff.
deadpoolhulk 3 months ago
I can definitely here the quality difference between the two mandolins but in my experience I think its clearly a set up and/or tuning problem. I have a kentucky km850 and an Epiphone MM30 and I can honestly say that with the right set up, I think they are about the same. The kentucky does have a deep sound. Check out one of my vids playing mandolin with the mm30 and you can really tell what difference a good set up makes.
AdventOctober 4 months ago
jesus.... ding up those mandolins some more why don't you
jj35265 8 months ago
I'm back. Do you know of any dealer that has good deals on Kentucky mandolins? Like, inclding a set-up and maybe even a hardshell case? Again I don't live in the UK, but I have tried the KM-550 and am confident that I will like that or the 505. But I feel it's all a bit too expensive here.
Please let me know, thanks.
DuskY1991 1 year ago
@DuskY1991 I'm afraid I bought mine unseen from Ebay. However, if you try the Mandolin Cafe website there are many good dealers and private sales which may meet your needs. Good luck.
alicelookingglass 1 year ago
@alicelookingglass How well was it set-up when you bought it unseen? I've read it can be kind of hairy on the Kentucky mandolins (as in directly from the factory). I don't mind buying off eBay, actually.
I'm already a member of the Café and getting good replies already.
Thanks!
DuskY1991 1 year ago
Do you have any experience with Tanglewood mandolins?
DuskY1991 1 year ago
@DuskY1991 I'm afraid I don't. Living in the Uk you have to travel a bit to get access to mandolins. As they're a fairly low-end instrument i would imagine you'd have to play a few to hit lucky with one that's playable as they all differ from instrument to instrument. As others have siad, set up is the key - especially with mandolins.
crowebroke 1 year ago
@crowebroke That's a pity, I don't live in the UK but on European mainland. I know a few guitar stores that have a handful of mandolins in stock but it's mostly Eastman as far as I am aware. Tanglewood have exceptional guitars and I would expect their mando's to be just as exceptional. But you're right, set-up is key and I have to be sure that the TWs have notes past the 12th fret! Thanks for your reply!
DuskY1991 1 year ago
@crowebroke Eastmans ahve an excellent reputation, though, again, I have not played one myself. Good luck.
crowebroke 1 year ago
Useful comparison, thanks yet again.
alicelookingglass 1 year ago
I have to agree about the setup as well on the MM-30. I have two MM-30/MM-30E, one from Korea, the other (MM-30E) from China. Other than they're both A style mandolins, they're not nearly the same instrument (regardless of one being E). From the nut to the bridge ofcourse, they are the same, but the necks are installed at different fret locations on each one. The Japanese instrument has a longer body overall and the top/bottom are flatter overall on the Korean made instrument. Korean is tinny.
dac186 2 years ago
Looking at current UK list the KM630 is 6 times the price.... That's not really a 'fair' comparison. Would also agree with the setup sounding out on the mm30. Nice playing though.
kungfugerbil 2 years ago
I agree about the playing and price, but it's useful to get a comparison like this, I wouldn't know where to begin with these things and as a novice they both look like nice instruments to me. So having this explained is really useful. Now all I have to do is practise.
orthodoxstephen 2 years ago
I just sold the Epiphone on Ebay for £112. I bought the Kentucky from Ebay, oner month old, for £300. So I think the "six times" figure is a little out.
crowebroke 1 year ago
@crowebroke Nope...I stated UK new price. Epiphone = 99 quid, KM630 = 595 quid. Check it out - hobgogblin and dv247 for example. You did well to sell the ep for more than a new one!
kungfugerbil 1 year ago
Comment removed
alicelookingglass 1 year ago
Comment removed
kungfugerbil 1 year ago
Nice little video mate! I think mxmatt03 was asking about Southern Flavor.
Mandolin1944 2 years ago 3
@Mandolin1944 Cheers - I like your playing, enjoyed watching your videos.
crowebroke 2 years ago
The Epiphone mandolin is clearly not set up correctly. Any luthier could easily correct the intonation problems and by the sounds of it raise the action to get a better overall tone. Even a cheaper mandolin would sound better than this with the correct set up.
conkerfight 2 years ago
Nevermind, watched one of your other vids and found out for myself.
mxmatt03 2 years ago 2
What is the very last tune you played called? I've been wanting to learn that song for a while now.
mxmatt03 2 years ago 3
@mxmatt03 Hi, Greensleeves? There are lot of sites on the web that provide free TAB for that tune if you don't read conventional musical notation.
crowebroke 2 years ago
@mxmatt03 Greensleeves.
crowebroke 1 year ago
Mad or not - I just bought an antique curved back on ebay. It cannot possibly be worse than what I have so here's hoping. . . . .
Edesfarkas 2 years ago 2
Nice one, hope it works out well for you. I bought the Kentucky unseen and it turned out well. You should get a softer more classical sound from the curved book.
crowebroke 2 years ago
OK - you convinced me. I've been stuck with a lousy old mandolin for years. Now a want a good 'un. Thanks.
Edesfarkas 2 years ago
I put up with mine for years, suddenly with a decent instrument I'm practising and improving every day. If the thing sounds rubbish you won't be inspired to play to your best. I hesitated about the cash, but I'm so pleased I went for it.
crowebroke 2 years ago
...but the Kentucky is far more expensive.
heyheymymy78 2 years ago 2
not "far more" - the KM630 was only three hundred quid (pounds) from the US. It is very much part of the cheaper end of the Kentucky F shaped mandolins. I would suggest that it is false economy purchasing something like the Epiphone because, as I think this video demonstrates, you aren't going to be happy with it once you start playing a bit.
crowebroke 2 years ago
Cool demonstration
Pembury8 2 years ago