A First Mandolin
I've been asked via a DM on Twitter for advice about purchasing a first mandolin for a beginner. A proper response will need more than 140 characters, so here I am! Firstly, I should congratulate you on having the good sense to consider learning to play the mandolin! It is a fabulously versatile instrument, and is relatively easy to learn. There's a popular saying among mandolin players: "life's too short to play a cheap mandolin." As a beginner, you won't want to spend too much, of course, but it's definitely worth spending enough to get a real instrument rather than a toy. My first mandolin was a Tanglewood which cost about £160. It made a pleasing sound and had decent intonation. Before that, I did initially buy an Ozark mandolin for about £70, but it was pretty much unplayable and sounded like a toy - I returned it to the shop. I can't overstate how important it is to buy a mandolin that will produce a decent tone - it is really motivating!