Rogue $50- 4:53 Kentucky $350 - 7:30 Ellis $4,500- 10:18

My house is full of cheap instruments. I play them all to a very amateur level and I'm happy with that. Next is a 50 quid mandolin

I found that what improves the most for more expensive instruments are usually not the quality of the sound, but how comfortable it is to play.

Hmm, a $50 one to take to camp and play in the woods by the lake.

I have no clue why I clicked on this video at 3:00 am in the morning. I'm a guitar player that knows nothing about mandolins

My $70 mandolin gets everyone on the dance floor. When you play a mandolin at a gig with a band they all sound good if set up correctly.

I can hear a big difference between the Rogue and the Kentucky, but not between the Kentucky and the Ellis.

5:19 vs 7:58 vs 10:39 But standing in the same room I'm sure there is a much more dynamic difference. Another phenomenon I've also noticed, standing next to any mandolin player, his mandolin always sounds better than yours, regardless of cost. Thanks MandoLessons!

I don't even play mandolin ... why am I here

5:19 7:57 10:37

Ignorance is bliss. The $350 mandolin sounded the same to me as the $4,500 one.

Very interesting video. The Rogue jamming starts out at 4:50, the Kentucky at 7:28, and the Ellis at 10:17. Sustain and punch is great for all the mandos. The poster's fave is the Ellis. Tonally it sits between the contenders, with a nod to the brighter sounding Rogue. Amazing that the bottom dollar instrument can hold a candle to these much higher cost models.

"I'll play a bit of this mandolin" Me: phew! Him: plays one stroke then talks for a million years again!

The Ellis has less projection but a razor sharp fret bite so there is no slop or rattle on the string when plucked. A very easy to listen to sound. The Kentucky had very focused presence. I own a Epiphone from 1979 and it reminds me of the Kentucky but I think it mellowed out with age. Thank you for this video and nice sound set up, good audio.

Wow people sure love to complain in these comments. Thanks for putting this together, man.

I bought to of the Rogue mandolins on sale for around $50. Gave then to my grandchildren. Something to start with....

Today I learned that a $50 mandolin sounds 90% as good as a $4500 mandolin.

I work at a music store that specialises in acoustic instruments for folk, Americana and bluegrass and what I can tell you is that a KZfaq video with compressed audio isn't adequately gonna show the difference between these three mandolins. Not only is the difference in sound not going to come across in digital audio, but the feel of the instrument and its playability is something that can't really be communicated in a review like this. A Tom Ellis mandolin isn't just going to sound better than a Rogue, it's going to sound and play so much better that you'll never want to pick up a Rogue again. Nothing against this channel though, and I still had fun watching.

it's not the cost of you weapon, it's how you wield it.

Enjoying your beginner lessons. Paused to watch this, and was pleased that you recommended the Kentucky mandolin. Have owned that for about a month and using it to learn with your videos. Glad to know I chose wisely!

I've had a Rogue for about 15 years and a similar quality one for about 75 that has a pickup with tone and volume controls. I read on some website about making my own bridges for them. I had the same issue you had with yours - mine were really unplayable. I made the first bridges out of maple, just field cut some parts from a maple branch, dried the rough blanks in the microwave then did the fit-up. I was very impressed with the outcome. I've since made a bridge for the Rogue from purple heart wood, very tough. My homemade bridges are not adjustable but both mandos hold tune and intonation is spot on. For a guy who mainly plays for his own enjoyment, they're just fine. If I can dig up the info on making bridges, I'll post it here, it was really not hard to do.

That Ellis sure stands head and shoulders above the other two. I can hear the clarity and definition in the notes and it rings beautifully. Keep playin. Im a guitarist and I love my Martin dc15E. Smooth as butter. God bless

I got my Rogue 100a for 10 bucks today. It's my first mandolin, and it's really fun!

You can here the clear differences with the final having an amazing mid range tone (bass for a Mandy). Very interesting review. I have the rogue my wife got me since I am a guitar player. It’s playable, but the neck is moving. Was looking for a little better one with a pickup possibly. Thanks for the knowledge.

There are marked increases in sound, tone, harmonics etc specially on the Ellis.

after many hours of thought I went with a 600 dollar mandolin for my first. the reason being i loved the sound and thought that would encourage me to keep playing it and not give up.

I've been looking into the KM-150, thanks to this video and another demo video you made specifically about it. It sounds great! I just ordered the KM-250--the slight upgrade from the 150--from Elderly Instruments. I have an antique bowl back mandolin that sounds great, but is difficult to play. The A-style seems the right fit for me. In the meantime, thank you for putting together informative, thorough videos.

Thank you for going to this effort, I enjoy rewatching this video occasionally; watching you play and listening to your comparisons. Good job!

Looks like a good player, and a good set-up luthier job, can make a cheap mandolin sound danged good!

You're back man!!! What a great analysis. Thank you Baron!

Very helpful thanks. A well set-up mid range instrument seems the best way to start.

I actually have an F-type Rogue... everyone says it sounds as good as any mando they've heard. Plenty of volume.. awesome tone. also keep mine in a molded foam case.

I wanna kno how to play that so bad.. that is so good man.. this is a great video...

Good info for new players! I just started giving a few lessons since the lockdown and everyone always asks me to recommend beginner mandos for them.

I got my Rogue for $50 and what a great bang for the buck. It stays in tune and sounds great. Best bet for someone learning and not sure if it’s going to be a long term thing.

I lowered the bridge on the rogue by taping sand paper gritty side up to the top. Than rubbed the bottom of the bridge on that. A little love and new strings the rogue will play pretty good

I actually prefer the sound of the cheapest one

I started with the Rogue. It's not an amazing instrument, but its not bad. It was at a price point that let me attempt to learn the instrument without feeling too put out if I just didn't find it worth while. I've since upgraded to The Loar 310-F. I still like having the Rogue though, especially to take camping or similar. Less worries if it gets scratched or damaged and still able to play it.

Nice video! That cheaper mandolin sounded pretty good for only a 40 buck mandolin.😰 I had an old mandolin that was actually my uncles, that I shared with my siblings that pretty much had the same neck and body as the mandolins you are showing. Certainly wasn't as good sounding. I finally upgraded and got a $600 mandolin a few years ago for my birthday from Sweetwater's and I just love it!😍

Is it possible to flip an A style mandolin lefty, like flip/swap the nut and restring it? It seems like there's not a lot of middle ground for stock leftys, either $50 Staggs or high dollar professional instruments.

Do you have a lesson for that song you demo'd the Mando's with? I really like it

Great video. Just a critique, it would be helpful if you did a segment of all mandolins back to back during your video so we have an immediate comparison. Awesome playing!

Bought a rogue years ago. I got a good one and learned some dropkick Murphy's on it. 100% recommend it for a starter and goofing around.

I bought one had similar problems. But for the price, I love it and music almost every day with it.

I only came here to find a slicer for my carrots...

I bought a pristine beautiful rogue mando with a high end case for 50 bucks plus tax. The action and setup is spot on, and when I strum it, it sounds like strings attatched to a big wet butcher block. Also when i play my tiny little humming bird fingers get all bunched up on the tiny fretboard. I think I'll let it go and search for an octave mando.

It makes me happy to see a comparison video where you have full explanations, but point out that the examples are time stamped in the description. We need more people like you.

Hi! Thanks for all the helpful info. I guess I got lucky with my Rogue I've had for 2 years now. It sounds pretty good. Paid about $40 for it and then another $40 for a good case , thinking I'd be getting a better mandolin but still using this one. Maybe someday.... :)

That Ellis A5 is beautiful!

I had a dream last night that I had a mandolin so here I am preparing to buy myself a mandolin.

I have the Rogue version which I'm learning to play on. Thanks for demonstrating that it's at least ok.

What is your go to mid-range mandolin with an acoustic/electric setup?

The floating bridge on the $50 Rogue can be effectively seated to the soundboard by 'lapping' the feet of the bridge. To do this, remove the strings, place a piece of sandpaper rough side up on the soundboard, and repeatedly draw that bridge back and forth over the general area it seats at. To make the job of string removal and replacement easier, use a capo up by the nut(to keep the strings from flipping over the tuning pegs), and loosen the strings enough to slip the loops off the tailpiece. Then lap the bridge, and finally replace the strings. This will help improve tone and volume, and is really pretty easy.

Throwing some d'addario strings on the rogue makes a huge difference.

The video was similar to the path I took. I started with a cheap $40 Rogue. My first one came with a small cave in it so they sent me another one. It played decent. I took it to a luthier for about $50, they fixed the bridge, nut, and some frets and it sounded much better. I played on the Rogue for about a year. I just bought a nice $2k instrument, the Eastman MD815V. Sweet sound and it sounds great.

Question-do the grommets north of the nut do anything to settle down the sympathetic vibrations? I downgraded from my Ratliff A to an Eastman F only due to ease of the neck/fingerboard

lol i bought that same 50$ mandolin paired with a ukulele 12 years ago. never changed the strings once and it still playes great.

20 year sound engineer here. Massive difference between all three. However, you make a 50 dollar mando sing brother.

Glad I found you bro. I’ve been looking for some more tips and lessons here on You Tube and I can attest that the Rogue is fine for kindling but a killer of desire where learning to play the mandolin is the goal. I’m already a multi-instrumentalist (guitar and bass guitar almost 40 years on each and about 10-15 years on the banjo, ukulele and mandolin along with lesser time on drums, keys and harmonica and the Oud), so I figured out that the Rogue was going to be my learning how to work on a mandolin. I bought an Epiphone F-style and could not be happier...except I know one gets what they pay for...so now I’m looking at the $3,000-$5,000 range of mandolins but I need to get better as a player to justify the cash outlay and that’s why I’m glad I found you. BTW, I can attest to your assessments and advice here as being 100% the truth and conceptually applicable to most any instrument.

See the Dan Erlewine video about getting the bridge to meet the body better. Basically tape a sheet of sandpaper on the body where the bridge sits, sand the bridge on it until it matches the contour, it is easy.

I had a Kentucky and learned on it for several years. Eventually it needed to be refretted and I decided it wasn't worth the expense.

Thank You!😀 I Play Guitar and Have Been Intrigued By These Instruments Latley and Your Very Complete and Super Infomative Yet Gracious Knowlege Really Helped Myself and Im Sure Many Other's ' Who Arent Just Looking For 'Sound' Without Experience_ Blessings To You Friend🎼Peace and Tone To You Always🌈

You showed your face, so we can recognize you in public, and shout "that's the awesome mandolin player." 🤩

I liked the 50 dollar one more than the 350 one, but the 4500 was a nicer sound than either. The 50 dollar one just had, for lack of a better description, a better flavor, than the 350 which sounded flatter or muddier than the other two. The rogue was bright and sharp and I like it.

Nice one Baron. Cool to see the pedal steel set up too! Dargby's next Wed! Maybe see you at the Sunday session? To others: I have heard all these mandolins in person. Take my word, the Ellis sounds amazing. The recordings are great but you gotta be there.

I personally enjoyed listening to the Kentucky mandolin. Loved it’s rich sounding acoustics.🎵🎶🎵

Love this video! I already play the violin and piano. I got a Goodwill guitar to play with a little, but it's huge and awkward after the violin. My nephew suggested the mandolin. It sounds like a good choice because I listened to several classical pieces I've played on the mandolin and I liked it

I always wanted to play a Mandolin but it just seems my hands are to big to form a chord.I don’t know maybe there is a trick to it.Any suggestions?

for $4500 I hope Tom calls just to chat every once in a while

I can say for a fact that I thought my early 80's Japanese made Kentucky was a great mandolin until I bought a Gibson made in the 20's. There is ABSOLUTELY no comparison. Compared to the deep, complex lower tones and bright resonant highs of the Gibson, the Kentucky is not even close.

I have a terrible mandolin addiction. I have a room full of them. The one I prefer for daily playing is a Kentucky KM 162 I bought used for $200 Canadian. It is one of my favorites. It sounds very good and holds tuning forever. I have others that cost $1000-$3000 that won't stay in tune between sessions. I heat with wood so the house can be hot and very dry at times and the Kentucky doesn't care. I don't have to fiddle around tuning it every time I pick it up. It is a very solid instrument.

Is there much difference between the Kentucky KM 150 and the KM140? That's the only available one in my area. Thanks.

My nephew decided to steal my $600 mandolin!!! I never seen it again.! I cried like a baby. My family puts the "fun" in dysFUNctional!!! Nice playing! 💖

If I could id give this video as many thumbs up as possible!👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻x100

Just curious: do you prefer the A stylus over the F style?

Would you say that the Ellis is easier to play compared to the Rogue? My Savanah/Rogue is a challenge higher up the neck

The Ellis was the best by far, whether it's worth the extra cost or not is up to each person

The Rogue mandolin would be heat pressed to make the hump on the soundboard, under the bridge, rather than being machine or hand carved. A heat pressed top may collapse with changes in humidity. (This happened to me!) More expensive models are (hand) carved and they will not collapse. The soundboard on the Rogue is laminated, rather than solid wood and has a tinny sound because the wood doesn't vibrate freely. That affects the volume, how loud it is, as well as the quality in tone. It also has no truss rod. I find I have to set up my mandolin every time I change the strings, since the bridge will inevitably move from its proper place. as I change the strings. Different gauge strings will require a change in action, or height of the strings. Those adjustments are easy to make and it is best to know how to do them, rather than expect someone to do it for you.

How can i know if the mandolin i bought is ok or i have to make some adjustments? Some advice to fix a poor set up? Love your videos!

I was in Calgary for a couple of weeks and left my mandolin at home in Ontario. I bought a Rogue at a Calgary music store to play while I was there. It wasn't great, but I strung it as a high strung (octave courses on the G and D) and had some fun playing jug band tunes. I gave it to a fiddle playing friend who thought he might like to try mandolin.

Thanks. Helpful video. Pay no attention to the haters.

I had the $50 dollar one and I liked it but no truss rod. It really needed an adjustment

I have a Fender with a flourishy top. My eye went right to it, and I couldn't let it go. It was a couple hundred dollars off. I have a lot to learn, but it feels so right in my hands, and I've finished writing two songs with it. I look forward to learning from you.

I’m thinking about upgrading my Rogue a style to an Ibanez M700S-AVS F style, would that be a decent step up? I’m primarily a classical violinist and occasional guitarist.

I bought the Rogue online from Musician’s Friend and learned to play it before ever touching another brand. It arrived in good condition. Later I tried a Mandolin going for several hundred dollars at a music store (the only mandolin the store had). It was not the slightest bit superior to the Rogue in any respect that I could tell. Then I went to a shop a that specializes in folk instruments and had lots of mandolins. I tried two of their least expensive, about $600, if I remember right. They sounded and felt just a little better than the Rogue, but they looked much better. In fact I loved how they looked. If I had money to burn I would have bought one just for looks, but I don’t have money to burn. I’m a professional musician, but I don’t play the mandolin professionally and probably never will.

preferred the cheapest one. it you drop it you dont begin to cry.

Can you tell me what do you think about the Harley Benton pro resonator banjo? Thanks in advance.

Got 2 of em. I need to play more . Thanks for inspiration

the sound quality of the Ellis clearly surpasses the other 2. that said I'll be considering the rogue for my first. if I play it for a few years maybe I can justify the expense of something more finely built.

"Yee-ha Cletus" (in the background) Every time when he plays the mandolin.

I have the Loar mandolyn. Is the Kentucky a better instrument? 😊 Thank you for any help.

This was amazingly helpful! Thank you!

My impression is, the more expensive it gets, the more it sounds like a guitar.

The difference is extremely apparent if you know what to listen for. You can hear each instrument's wholeness increase.

Hi, thank you for the video and all your awesome job. What are the gears between the strings on the headstock ? Why do you use them ?

Bought a rogue A style last year for about $60 + for my son. Lowered bridge height all the way down, ajusted intonation and it stays in tune well, sounds good, and has a great loud chop. I think i got lucky with a good one. Son hasn't played it much but i have ! It's there when he's ready though.

I'm looking at banjolins,mandoleles etc etc on ebay,i saw some like the one you have at 45 bucks,i'm in scotland and 45 quid is the kind of number here so........... My point as i'm watching the first few mins (3:38) you mention the bridge does not make full contact on the sound board,i do all of my own guitar repairs,and i would like a ES335 type hollow body jazz/blues type,and as you mentioned the bridge contact problem i reminded myself of a trick i learned for some other contact issue,could've been for an oil pump leak on my triumph spitfire,where you lay 400 grit wet n dry paper on thick flat glass and figure 8 sand or grind the base of the pump body flat, using double sided tape and some wet n dry 400 grit fixed to the mando body the bridge can be pulled back and forward in 1/2" movements very straight and even to "seat " the bridge to the sound board in the proper intonated position,rather than give a luthier cash to do the same thing,as the cost would probably be more than the mandolins value and you get to hone your own luthier skills and feel good about it,unless you screw it up and make a scrap bridge,but i think the bridge is easy to replace and pretty cheap for a good lesson on how to get better tonal contact. I want an electro-accoustic to play some led zeppelin.

The sound differences don't really come through on KZfaq videos, especially listened to through computer speakers. The differences are much more obvious in person. Also, besides sound, feel is important.

Nice comparison. I 'm really curious about the strap you're using on the A style mando. Would you mind telling where to get one like it? Thanks

Any recommendations for a mandolin in the $100-$200 range? I hear the difference in the cheap one, but am not willing to drop $350 right now