Inexpensive, Nice-Sounding Mandolins

Do you have to spend a bundle to get a nice-sounding mandolin. $100-$200 should get the job done with careful shopping. Here are real-life examples.

Above is a ca. 1980 Kentucky KM-100, all plywood. The strap on this and all the others is a shoelace. I have recently started bringing this mandolin to festivals. and it sounds as good as any other or better. I also take it with me when I travel. It cost about $100, and I added a new bridge, nut and tailpiece. The bridge is of my own design.

Above is the bridge on the  KM-100. This design improves sound and does not get in the way of the right hand. The top of the bridge is compensated in the form of a gradual curve.

Here is a Johnson 120, all solid wood. It is a loud bluegrass banger--or at least it could be if I played bluegrass. It cost $130 with a hardshell case. I replaced the nut, bridge, and tailpiece.

Above is the bridge on the  Johnson. This design improves sound and does not get in the way of the right hand. The top of the bridge is compensated in the form of a gradual curve. The wood came from the leg of a cheap piece of broken furniture. It is a hardwood, possibly maple, but I am not complete sure of its identity.

Above is the "Venetian" model Lone Star mandolin, all solid wood. It coast about $100. I replaced the nut, bridge, and tailpiece (sound familiar?). The sound is rich in overtones, and the mandolin looks nice as well.

Eye candy: the semi-bowl back is made of sycamore and rosewood.

And here is the bridge, which is similar in design to the Kentucky  mandolin above.