Washburn Americana M3E-PACK Mandolin Pack

Name: Washburn Americana M3E-PACK Mandolin Pack
Brand: Washburn
Rating: 4.5 (37 reviews)

Mandolin Pack with Spruce Top, Maple Back and Sides, Rosewood Fretboard, Electronics, Gig Bag, Strap, Picks, and Instructional Book - Sunburst

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Item ID: M3EK

Washburn Americana M3E-PACK Mandolin Pack

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All-in-one Mandolin Pack

The Washburn M3EK Mandolin Pack is an affordable, all-in-one kit to get you started. Sporting the coveted "F"-style design, the M3EK mandolin has a spruce top and maple back and sides for bright sound and great projection. A piezo pickup built into the bridge lets you plug in and play at any gig where you need more volume. This pack also includes a gig bag to protect and carry your mandolin, a strap, picks, and even an instructional book to get you going. Washburn's M3EK Mandolin Pack is the ideal starter kit for any musician. Call Sweetwater and get yours today.

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Washburn M3EK Mandolin Pack at a Glance:

Spruce-topped mandolin has excellent sound projection
Maple back and sides deliver classic mandolin tones
Since 1883, Washburn has been producing fretted instruments

Spruce-topped mandolin has excellent sound projection

For optimal projection, the Washburn M3EK mandolin is fitted with a spruce top. Spruce has long been used in instruments ranging from violins, guitars, and mandolins for its bright sound and great projection. An expertly fitted rosewood bridge makes full contact with the spruce top to capture and transfer the string vibrations of every note you play on the Washburn M3EK mandolin.

Maple back and sides deliver classic mandolin tones

Maple has been the choice wood for the back and sides of instruments such as the mandolin and violin. Not only does it look great but it adds a brightness and volume that other woods don't. The Washburn M3EK mandolin sports maple back and sides to deliver outstanding acoustic tones. When those plugged-in gigs come up, the M3EK has a built-in pickup that delivers acoustic tones to your amp or mixer.

Since 1883, Washburn has been producing fretted instruments

With humble beginnings in Chicago that date back to the 1880s, Washburn is an American institution in musical instrument manufacturing. From guitars to mandolins, banjos, ukuleles, and more, Washburn has long been a recognized and cherished brand among musicians. Many of the biggest names in folk, blues, and rock 'n' roll have played these well-crafted, quality instruments. Washburn combines quality construction with premium materials to deliver an instrument that's ready to perform on any stage. Call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer to find out more about this iconic brand.

Washburn M3EK Mandolin Pack Features:

Classic mandolin tones that are perfect for all styles of music
Spruce top for projection and bright tone
Maple back and sides for extra volume and presence
Piezo bridge pickup with volume and tone controls
Rosewood fretboard and bridge
Includes gig bag, strap, picks, and more

Get started playing with the affordable Washburn M3EK Mandolin Pack.

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Tech Specs

Type: Acoustic-electric
Body Shape: F Style
Color: Sunburst
Finish: Matte
Top Material: Spruce
Body Material: Maple
Neck Material: Maple
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
Number of Frets: 20 full + 9 partial
Scale Length: 13.75"
Nut Width: 1.10"
Bridge Material: Rosewood
Tuners: Open Gear with Pearloid buttons
Hardware: Chrome
Electronics: Piezo Bridge Pickup
Strings: D'Addario Light Gauge, .011-.036
Case/Gig Bag: Gig Bag
Manufacturer Part Number: M3EK-A-U

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Reviews

4.7

Customer Photos & Videos

I ordered this as a demo unit that they had at a discounted price. When it arrived I checked it out and found the following.
1. Well built with good fit and finish.
2. Action a little high and bridge at absolute bottom.
3. Buzz from the tailpiece on the G string.
4. A few fret ends needing finishing.
5 Piezo and electronics sound good.

So I went to work.
1. Fixed the fret ends and leveled the fretboard.
2. Removed the little ornamental frets and scalloped the fretboard to relieve any interference with picking and oiled the fretboard.
3. Oiled the tuners.
4. Filed the nut to adjust first fret string height and applied some graphite.
5. Removed the pickguard and filled and finished the screw holes.
6. Removed the electronics and sanded down the bridge for action and radius to the top (the wire for the Piezo pickup is in the way if you don't remove it).
7. Lowered the pots with spacers (they were sky high) and installed babinga wood knobs.
8. Added a piece of ebony ukulele saddle cut to size inside the tailpiece to keep the strings from contacting any metal. This fixed the buzz.
9. Bent the tailpiece cover to eliminate string contact and lightly oiled the inside lip of the cover so it comes off smoothly.
10. Put on a new set of D'addario phosphor bronze lights strings.

After a couple days work, the mandolin plays great. The problem with these factory-produced instruments is that they just don't take the time to do the finish work. I'm not complaining because I expected to have to do this when I ordered it so I was not surprised and I enjoy working on instruments to make them play the very best they possibly can be. All in all I'm quite happy with this mandolin. One thing about this particular model is that it is acoustic electric and has a nice sounding Piezo pickup system with a volume and tone knob that work properly. So if you want an acoustic electric that will play really well with a little work this one is a good example. As usual Sweetwater did a great job shipping it here and I appreciate the candy. The rating I gave this is out of the box but it is a 4 to 4 and a half after being set up and fixed properly.

5 Stars for CUSTOMER SERVICE! I received a unit that had a short in the electronics, causing the signal to go in and out. I called and received a replacement the next day…wow!

This mandolin has a nice bright sound when strummed open or picking single notes, and a nice full, resonant chop.

The neck is thick and fills the hands nicely. I primarily play guitar, so other mandolins with v-necks (Loar) and thin necks (Kentucky) that I've tried actually hurt my hand. I'm able to chord this Washburn more like I would a guitar. It's a full, rounded neck and feels great with the natural satin finish.

Both units came set up with low action and no buzz.

The pickup is very natural sounding. It does not have a piezo quality to it…it's very bright. The tone knob is useful for making the sound more rich and full.

I've played mandolin for 20 years, and this is my favorite that I've owned. I highly recommend it in this price range.

I'm a guitar player and I want to learn mandolin. I bought this one in hopes that it would be a good beginner mandolin. I was right. It needs a setup to be more playable for me because I have some plates and screws in my wrist, but over all it's a solid quality instrument. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to begin their mandolin experience with a solid wood instrument that won't break the bank.

As a beginner, this mandolin was recommended by the gentleman that I am taking lessons from. The mandolin arrived quickly and was well packaged. At the first lesson, my instructor tuned the mandolin and we were on our way. No further "set up" was required. I will add that the mandolin also stays in tune throughout my lessons as well as my practice sessions. This is very helpful for a beginner.
The soft case does not provide a lot of protection so be careful when transporting the mandolin and give some thought to buying a hard case.
Even though I do not have the proper musical knowledge to make recommendations, I think this is the perfect mandolin for the absolute beginner.
DW

This is the first mandolin I have ever owned, touched, or played. I am very happy with its quality and tone. It sounds, looks, and plays great.