Advice on buying an acoustic/electric mandolin?

Question

Is there any reaso to/no to buy an electric/acoustic mandolin?

Should i just get a regular acoustic?

Answer 1

Wow - I just researched this same question - If you are going to play in any kind of band, you need to go with a pick-up. If you're just going to jam with acoustic guitars you can get by with a standard. Now - hands down - the BEST mando with a pick up is the Michael Kelly FS-E, musiciansfriend.com has them for $699. It sounds awesome plugged in or not - all solid woods. Their regular acoustics are great also. The best buy around are the Kentuckys - the 250S and above. Avoid the Epiphones - short scale neck and the top is too thick. The Breedlove Quartz OM is as good as the Gibson A5, but it's $1000. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Depends what u want to play. Flat back mandolins r easier to hold and play. These often come with built in electrics. Acoustically, they sound the same as non-electrics. I have 2, a Crafter which is guitar shaped with a fibreglass back and a Stagg "bluegrass" model which is teardrop shaped with F holes. This one was a present, but I suspect it was slightly cheaper than the Crafter. Go to ur local music shop. If they have a choice, try them out, see which sounds most like what ur looking for. Hope this helps..

Answer 3

With an electric, you HAVE to have an amplifier... probably. With an acoustic you do not need an amplier, and you can add a pickup to it later if you want to amplify it, although be careful about what you add to an instrument - if its a classic or antique mandolin you would be out of your mind to have a pickup installed - best to get one that already has one installed if you are going to do that. Good luck.

Answer 4

You may buy this instrument if you want to become professional and keen to become so. Otherwise you better purchase any good Synthasier which will serve dual purpose with so many musical instrument on one.