This little Rogue RM100A Mandolin is a much nicer instrument then the crazy price would lead you to believe. Like all new mandos, even expensive ones, it needs setup. That's part of owning a mando, so you might as well learn how on an inexpensive one. On mine, the nut slots needed to be cut lower, the bridge needed to be fit to the top, the action needed lowering (requiring more modifications to the bridge), and the 3rd and 12th frets needed leveling. There are plenty of tutorials on the web to show you how to do this, and it requires no special tools or skills (sure, expensive tools are available, but you don't need 'em). Throw away the strings it comes with and get a good set, polish any sharp edges you find off the tuning machines, and string it up. Mine took about an hour of work, and when I was finished, I was truly amazed at how easy it was to play, how good it sounded, and how well it stayed in tune. If none of this appeals to you, then plunk down the bucks for a high-dollar F5 and a tech to set it up for you. Otherwise, once set up properly, this is a fine instrument to learn on.

I got this instrument to learn the mandolin, and at first I could not stand to play it. It couldn't hold a tune, and the strings buzzed constantly. After doing a little research I decided to set the instrument up from scratch and used Martin Blue Grass 11 gauge strings. After adjusting the bridge to the correct position for the intonation and restrung it it sounds great, plays great, stays in tune better and does not buzz at all. I would recommend this mandolin to anyone who wants to learn to play the mandolin and is willing to do a little work to get it to sound right.

Well, for one, this thing is dirt cheap. So if you just want a mandolin for the sake of having one (meaning that you probably wont end up a professional mandolinist), then this is the guy for you. Construction is good as well as overall aesthetics. My issues with it are how easily it falls out of tune, which becomes annoying when you tune 4 sets of 2 strings each time, and that anything past the 5th fret is essentially unplayable.

Worth the money? You bet. But you get what you pay for.

Wonderful little instrument! great sound, relatively easy to play, and just all around great fun! i'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's anything but an extremely serious mandolin player.

I'll tell you what if your lookin for a mandolin to play that wont break the bank, this is what you want. When I ordered mine I was scared of what I was getting. I realize now that this is a great little mandolin for the extremely low price. GOOD BUY!!!!!!!!