need a little help on first mandolin

[10ga]

Sorry to bother you fine folks but I've got a question. My 21 year old son is wanting to take up the mandolin and I was thinking about getting him one for Christmas. He's in his 3rd year of college and doesn't have a lot of extra money for lessons so I thought I would go ahead and pay for some for him also.

Here's the question, what kind of madolin should I be looking at? I don't have a clue and that's why I'm asking. I know he likes the looks of the "F" body so I've been looking at some on ebay. I saw a few Johnson's that I could buy in the $120 range and that would leave more $$ left over for lessons.

I just need someone to give me some advice. I've got him hooked on bluegrass and americana music and I thought it would be something good for him to learn.

Thanks for any help / advice, I appreciate it.......John

[10ga]

Also found a Epiphone, by Gibson, Mandolin, Model MM30VS. Any thoughts on this one?

[musicbill]

I recommend that you or your son learn a few chords and then try out as many mandolins as you can find or have the patience for and buy the one that has the tone and playability you like best that is in your price range. This may take some of the surprise out of it as a present but it has been my strategy for any instrument, including the mandolin that my wife bought me for a 25th anniversary present - I got a Morgan Monroe Rocky Top.
For a beginner, unless you are very indulgent, you will probably not be buying a high end instrument, so body style or brand name don't matter, tone and playability are the primary issues.
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Best regards,
Bill Long