The Loar LM-590-MS

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 arrived with the strings de-tensioned and, I'd guess, having had a basic set up. Mandolins can be tricky to set up, but I had this Loar playing nicely inside 30 minutes. If you are not experienced with setting up your Mandolin you may need some assistance but that should be well rewarded as the basic instrument is very sound and a joy to play once set up.