Old Hickory FC-100 Mandolin

This is a beautifully finished mando for the price. The fret and headstock inlays are fancier than on many more expensive instruments. The woodgrain striping on the back is really beautiful. Gold-colored hardware adds a classy touch. Hardshell case is included.

This is a beautiful sounding mando! I played a more expensive Epiphone, and this one sounds a lot better. The Epi owner tried mine, and even he said it played and sounded better. I would choose this over the more expensive Epiphone.

I bought mine already set up, so it played great right out of the box. The action is set really low, making it easy to play, but I am getting some fret buzz on a couple notes. I have to raise the action a little, especially since I put heavier-guage strings on.


The only beef I have with the finish on this mando s that the screw holding the pick guard was not countersunk, so it sticks out and looks tacky.

With the hardshell case that's included, I'm sure this mando will last quite a long time.

haven't dealt with the compnay.

I would recommend this mando highly. It is a hidden jewel among similarly-priced mandos. Everyone who picks it up comments on how nicely this mando plays and sounds. Like I said, it blew the Epiphone I played away.

I got the one with the natural (blonde) finish (my others are sunburst) and I love it! I've always wanted one because I dig the contract between the fancy F-Style body and the unpretentious natural finish. Th ewood is beautiful, and there's a little double purfiling around the top. The body binding is off-white, which kind of blends in with the wood - would love it if it were dark, and there's no binding inside the sound holes, like on my sunburst mandos. Really nice looking. Gold tone hardware, decent tuners, Acoustic only. The top is solid carved spruce, not plywood, nice looking maple sides and back, which is pretty great for this price, of course it's made in China, where you can get carving done for this price. Came with a very nice hard shell case.

The volume and tone are typical of a mid-level F-style mandolin. I use Flattops with the 11.5 high E, which gives is a more mellow sound than round wound strings. Used only acoustically (I have an electric mando for amplified sound).

Like a lot of cheaper instruments, it needs to be set up properly. It came with the nut too high, frets needing more careful dressing, bridge needs adjusting and set up, etc. This kind of instrument is a great deal for those of us who do our own work. If I had to have a shop do it, it would cost another $150, but I only paid $229 for it (with case). Once it's set up right, it's great.

My electric mandolin is set up to play softly so I can play fast. I bought this to bang around with acoustic players so it's set up for volume. It feels like it will last for years. I have a similar Iida which I've abused for 10 years and it's still going strong.

Haven't had any dealing with company.

I've been playing guitar/mandolin/dobro/bass for over 40 years and have a collection of 6 assorted guitars, 2 basses, and now 4 mandolins. I would recommend this Old HIckory (actually sold under a number of names) to anyone who wants the coolness of an F-Sytle without paying a heap o' cash. The only caveat is that these cheaper instruments don't come out of the box ready to rock - they need to be tinkered with first, so be prepared to do a little filing here, adjusting there, adn then they're fine. Otherwise, buy one used from someone who's already taken care of it for you.

Don't know what year it is, but I bought it new in 2006. Made in China.

Solid Spruce top. Flamed maple back and sides.

Sunburst finish. F style Mandolin.

Included a hardshell case.

Good features.

Surprisingly loud for a cheap Mandolin. I guess that's the solid top talking.

I put a Fishman M-100 Mandolin pickup on it and that sounds pretty good too.

Sounds OK - for what it is.

The 5th fret was not crowned properly, so stuff played on the 4th fret wouldn't ring out. I filed it down a little and got enough clearance.

The action had to be set pretty high in order to play without buzzing.

The flame stripes on the maple look really nice, I was suprised.

The inlays' material looks very bad. There are literally holes in the finish on the front and the back. The tailpiece screws are pretty well stripped, so I've got to be VERY carefull if I ever have to remove them for any reason. The pickguard is a bit ragged, it almost made no sense why they put the clear plastic protective sheet over it HAHA.

This will NOT last long. It is a pretty decent beginner's Mandolin, though.

It says "Made in China", but the inside sticker says "Nashville TN". If they have an American importer, I still probably wouldn't deal with them... this is just a cheap throwaway Mandolin, afterall.

Overall a cool Mandolin to learn on, I'm not sure it'd last long on the road, and for studio stuff it's not up to par.

BUT for entry level Mandolins, it sounds better than the competition, while it plays far worse than the competition.