Gear Review - Ibanez M510E Mandolin

Strings · 03-29-2006, 12:55 PM

This has been my “beater” mando for about a year now and has served me well. It’s a straightforward A-style mando with mahogany neck, back and sides, a laminate spruce top and a single coil pickup. Essentially it’s a Fender FM52-E made in the same factory by the same folks, the only real difference is the headstock deal.

I got this through my store’s Ibanez distributor and it’s a factory second due to some bubbles in the finish, but still a great instrument. Normally these run approximately $180 compared to the Fender’s $240… save yourself the $60.

One of the preconceptions I had coming into this purchase was that I’d have to swap out much of the hardware. I as expecting the tuners, bridge and tailpiece to be junk that was just slapped on. The tailpiece is one of those with the little stringbreaker prongs that I hate so much and it may still go, but the tuning’s been stable and the volume and tone are strong. Actually, it’s only broken one string in a year… of course at the tailpiece’s second prong on the 1st e string.

Tonally this is a bluegrass mando all the way. It barks with authority and the pickup adds some snap to it. I use Thomastik Praizon strings which tend to be dark and mellow but this thing is still very aggressive.

The other great thing about this mando is that it’s a laminate… I know laminate is normally bad… but when you’re playing outside in various conditions laminate is your best friend. This mando stays stable no matter what it’s like outside and can take a serious beating without any damage.

Strings · 03-29-2006, 02:15 PM

I realized I can put up a link to a pic of the bugger... why I didn't do so before I have no idea...

http://www.defoe.us/john/Instrument_Pages/Mando.htm

That's what I get for posting before I get my first cup of tea in me!

Oasis · 07-27-2006, 12:05 AM

Heh, I was thinking of getting an ibanez actually. I need a new guitar anyway, and 180 dollars seems like a good price. Either this, or a used BB King for the same price (180).

03-29-2006, 12:55 PM	#1
Strings Multi-instrumentalist Gearhead Extrodinaire Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Rep Power: 74	This has been my “beater” mando for about a year now and has served me well. It’s a straightforward A-style mando with mahogany neck, back and sides, a laminate spruce top and a single coil pickup. Essentially it’s a Fender FM52-E made in the same factory by the same folks, the only real difference is the headstock deal. I got this through my store’s Ibanez distributor and it’s a factory second due to some bubbles in the finish, but still a great instrument. Normally these run approximately $180 compared to the Fender’s $240… save yourself the $60. One of the preconceptions I had coming into this purchase was that I’d have to swap out much of the hardware. I as expecting the tuners, bridge and tailpiece to be junk that was just slapped on. The tailpiece is one of those with the little stringbreaker prongs that I hate so much and it may still go, but the tuning’s been stable and the volume and tone are strong. Actually, it’s only broken one string in a year… of course at the tailpiece’s second prong on the 1st e string. Tonally this is a bluegrass mando all the way. It barks with authority and the pickup adds some snap to it. I use Thomastik Praizon strings which tend to be dark and mellow but this thing is still very aggressive. The other great thing about this mando is that it’s a laminate… I know laminate is normally bad… but when you’re playing outside in various conditions laminate is your best friend. This mando stays stable no matter what it’s like outside and can take a serious beating without any damage. __________________ If you play more than two chords, you're showing off. Woody Guthrie

03-29-2006, 02:15 PM	#2
Strings Multi-instrumentalist Gearhead Extrodinaire Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,106 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts Rep Power: 74	I realized I can put up a link to a pic of the bugger... why I didn't do so before I have no idea... http://www.defoe.us/john/Instrument_Pages/Mando.htm That's what I get for posting before I get my first cup of tea in me! __________________ If you play more than two chords, you're showing off. Woody Guthrie

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07-27-2006, 12:05 AM	#3
Oasis Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 40 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 51	Heh, I was thinking of getting an ibanez actually. I need a new guitar anyway, and 180 dollars seems like a good price. Either this, or a used BB King for the same price (180).

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