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Good enough
This is not a quality instrument, but you have to pay ~800 for a quality octave mandolin. So this was perfect to learn on and find out if it's an instrument I enjoy. It's not great, but everything genuinely is just good enough.
- Nut is cut way too low, but there's a zero fret so the only impact is you can't use a strap under the strings.
- Action is so, so high. You can take the saddle off and sand it, but it's not adjustable and comes around 8mm high at fret 12.
- The finish on the body is nice, but the neck is so bad that after a week of playing you can see the finish rubbing away on the edge of the fretboard. Think deliberate road-worn finishes... but on the edge of your fretboard.
- No fret sprout through the sides, but some frets are genuinely not glued in at all, can just lift them out.
- Electronics are surprisingly good.
Know yourself. This isn't the instrument to buy to continue your folk career. If you've always been interested in OM, this is a fantastic way to start.
- Nut is cut way too low, but there's a zero fret so the only impact is you can't use a strap under the strings.
- Action is so, so high. You can take the saddle off and sand it, but it's not adjustable and comes around 8mm high at fret 12.
- The finish on the body is nice, but the neck is so bad that after a week of playing you can see the finish rubbing away on the edge of the fretboard. Think deliberate road-worn finishes... but on the edge of your fretboard.
- No fret sprout through the sides, but some frets are genuinely not glued in at all, can just lift them out.
- Electronics are surprisingly good.
Know yourself. This isn't the instrument to buy to continue your folk career. If you've always been interested in OM, this is a fantastic way to start.
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N
Suitable return for the pricepoint
Without a major background with mandolins and having played my first one only 6 months prior, I was still pleased by the sound produced by the thing. Like others have said the build quality is a bit lightweight, but tonally it's satisfying, especially considering the price. New strings and a setup would go a long way as well!
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