Best Ortega RMA30-WB Alternatives

Based on 2 reviews

The Loar LM-590-MS is a great mandolin for it's price point. I suspect like most Chinese made instruments quality control may be variable, but I cannot complain as I have a good one. The finish is deliberately understated but well executed. The neck is quite wide for a mandolin with oversize fret wire that makes it feel familiar to my guitarists fingers. I have a couple of other mandolins - an A style and traditional bowl back, both of which have narrower fretboards and finer fret wire. The Loar is easier to play and has that solid bluegrass 'chop' The sound is very full, much less bright than my other mandolins, but that may be, in part, due to the heavier gauge strings fitted as stock. My preference is for a lighter gauge and I will swap these strings out very soon. The mandolin...

Based on 1 reviews

This is my 2nd mandolin, a step up to take my playing further. It is a well made instrument which feels robust to hold, with a pleasant tone. I feel its E string is a little weak on the original strings, I shall be looking to get a slightly heavier gauge string in time, but overall the tone is very pleasing. I was concerned that there were a few cosmetic marks left from manufacture, but these are slight and very nitpicky points on my part, but for the price-point I expected more due care. They are not intrusive to the instrument in any way and it is overall a well made and beautiful instrument that feels robust. It is slightly heavier on the headstock than I expected, and feels more comfortable with a strap attached at the nut. The tuners hold tune very well. Instrument arrives with...

Based on 3 reviews

Most importantly this instrument seems very good. This was going to be my first mandolin, so I am not an expert, but it sounds very good, and I think this is the cheapest solid wood mandolin you can get. It has a nice warm sound, and the intonation is also pretty good. I think these are the most important things with an entry level instrument. Unfortunately I had to send it back due to fret problems at the 7th and 8th fret on the A and E srings. But the new one I got didn't have that problem, so hopefully it's not usual. Unfortunately I had to send back the new on too because of other reasons, but I wish I could have kept it...

Based on 19 reviews

Mandolins aren't very popular here in Europe. Thankfully there are some cheap mandolins available, one of which is this Harley Benton mandolin. I assume they are ordered from the same factories in Asia where other brands get their cheaper models from. There are not many reviews of this model so hopefully this helps someone. For an instrument with this price it is very good. You need to be aware that most mandolins require additional set-up as they come pretty much straight from the factory. Some simple sanding or filing, or adjusting the truss rod may be necessary. Most of those things are pretty easy if you are patient and use google. I play guitar for 10+ years so it is nothing new to me. Out of the box: The instrument looks great. The top is nicely arched and has a better paint job...

Based on 6 reviews

I've not had much luck with cheaper mandolins in the past so I decided to spend a bit more this time. I always fancied an F-style mandolin and have read good reviews about the Loar brand. When I received this I could play it straight from the box. It came fully set up and with D'Addario strings which I've always considered the better option. The design is as pretty as it looks in the picture, despite having to remove the usual bits of fluff and sawdust that seem to come with every new instrument these days and it's very well put together. The most striking feature is the sound, it's gorgeous. This is an absolute delight to play.

Based on 4 reviews

This is without doubt the best mandolin I have played for the money. In fact, it would be very easy to spend considerably more and get a worse instrument. Straight out of the box, setup and playability were good but the tone and "bark" were such that with a full setup, I know it could become a great mandolin. I am a trained violin maker and have been making instruments since 1975. I still work full time as a professional luthier in Nottingham, UK. During setup, it became clear that the only slight criticism I had was that the bridge could be improved upon, and this was the only component I decided to change. The tuning machines are of very good quality. The frets were well seated, with none sounding dull when tapped. They benefited from a small amount of levelling and polishing...

Based on 44 reviews

Harley Benton HBMA-50 Mandoline VS is amazing for the money. Bought as an impulse purchase and now proudly in my collection of instruments. Ideal for a beginner or someone looking for an A-shape mandolin for travelling/festivals. If you're looking to learn seriously I would recommend purchasing a mid range upmarket model. I was pleasantly surprised with this purchase and recommend. Pros: - Spruce top, basswood body, teak neck, rosewood fretboard are surprising high quality. - Rosewood Saddle is great. - Attractive instrument Cons: - Finishing patchy and not perfect at times. - String only "okay", if possible change

Based on 17 reviews

I'm a guitarist, of over 40 years now. I have more guitars than any sane person probably should have (don't tell my wife I said that!!). Until I bought this instrument though, I didn't own any mandolins. I decided to buy it because it wasn't expensive, and I wanted to learn how to play it. I've owned it for a few months now. My initial impression is very good. The acoustic sound is very loud for such a small body! Plugged in, the sound is quite lovely. I love the bell-like quality of the instrument. For the price-point, the build quality is everything I had hoped it would be. My only real complaint is a small bit of blemish in the binding, around one of the F holes. To be honest, I have to put my glasses on and go searching for it, to be able to spot it. Otherwise, the fit and finish...

Based on 28 reviews

This gets five stars overall because I don't know how they do it at the price and it works fine. I tuned it up right out of the box and it played nicely. I plugged it into my Trace Acoustic amp and it sounded nice, with good string balance. I particularly liked the sound with both pickups on. The pickup, selector switch felt positive and worked with no noise. The tuning machines felt smooth and positive. They hold the tuning. Cosmetically, you ether like the design or not, but it's well finished, with one small caveat which I mention later. With any new instrument, I like to set it up myself. The neck is straight and the purple heart wood fretboard looks good. I lowered the action to 2mm at the bass end and 1.5mm at the treble end (12th fret.) I then set the intonation so it...

Based on 44 reviews

Guitarist ..only being playing mandolin a short while, didn't want to break the bank. Positive reviews led me to this one... Glad I payed attention, for the money it's a delightful instrument. The finish.. on mine anyway, is flawless. The sound is good, maybe a tiny bit duller than an expensive old one I borrowed off an Irish trad player... but that's with factory strings, Got new Ibanez strings but not put them on yet. Good to play straight of the box.. lovely...The intonation was spot on. But then I did lower the action just a fraction.. easy operation .. just loosen strings and rotate the bridge wheels clockwise til it suits..being careful not to move the bridge...and it made it a little easier on my novice fingers without causing any fret buzz. For the price.. and for the sound.....