How I made (saved, actually) $500 on MyLot (with help from YouTube) this month!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (230510)
Walnut Creek, California
March 25, 2017 1:06pm CST
As you know, if you read my posts, I often take my kid clients to Guitar Center. One kid likes drums. Another likes to play Grateful Dead songs with me on guitar.
While at Guitar Center a few months ago, I discovered a Loar 520 mandolin that I really like. I play it every time we go to Guitar Center.
By early March, I had myself convinced I was going to buy the thing as a "gigging" mandolin. It's made from real wood, sounds great to the player, and costs only about $500.
I already have a 1914 Gibson A-4 mandolin (shown), but the Loar LM 520 is louder, plus I wouldn't have to worry about damaging a $2500 vintage instrument (the Gibson).
Of course, once I started researching the Loar LM 520 on-line, ads for the instrument started popping up all over MyLot.
This led me to research the instrument even further. Real wood (as I mentioned). Rave reviews. But my MyLot-induced research finally led me to a YouTube video of the instrument, played by someone really good--way better than me. I'd never heard it played by someone else.
It sounds great from behind (to the player), but I didn't like the tone so much from the listener's perspective. I realized I don't really need this instrument (a friend has a cheap mando that I can use for gigs if I don't want to bring my Gibson), and I can still practice at home on my 1914 Gibson A-4.
So common sense won out, with the help of MyLot ads and YouTube. I saved $500, and will just keep enjoying the Loar LM 520 when we go to Guitar Center.
Thanks, MyLot! Thanks, YouTube! Another $500 towards my Porsche.
47 people like this
42 responses
@celticeagle (179722)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Mar 17
Sometimes it best to enjoy an item from afar.And, like you said, you are that much closer to getting that Porsche.
4 people like this
@celticeagle (179722)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Mar 17
@TheHorse .....Yes, and consistency.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Mar 17
@celticeagle Will I still be able to drive a manual transmission when I'm 650? I'm worried that my physical abilities will fade.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (82983)
• Onaway, Michigan
25 Mar 17
That's great. My ex-husband loves guitar center. Glad mylot and youtube saved you 500
3 people like this
@Tina30219 (82983)
• Onaway, Michigan
25 Mar 17
@TheHorse Probably not he lives in Tennessee.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Mar 17
@Tina30219 I hear people are pretty friendly down there.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (53442)
• United States
25 Mar 17
That is one gorgeous musical instrument 
3 people like this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Mar 17
@Tampa_girl7 I may just grab it and play a bit before I fall asleep. I worked a 15 hour day today.
@JamesHxstatic (29411)
• Eugene, Oregon
25 Mar 17
Alright! You can almost get that new car smell now I'll bet. Good way to think it all through and save dollars.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Mar 17
@JamesHxstatic How does that Go Fund Me thing work? Wait. I have about ten true friends.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29411)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Mar 17
@TheHorse Now there's an idea!
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (65866)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
25 Mar 17
It's beautiful.
4 people like this
@allen0187 (58562)
• Philippines
26 Mar 17
How far are you from the Porsche? That's the question that should be answered.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58562)
• Philippines
26 Mar 17
@TheHorse drive it like you stole it!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Mar 17
@allen0187 I headin' to Reno! Gonna do 95 through Winnemucca and then head to Utah and repent.
2 people like this
thay way you may save /make thousand $$$$
@LovingMyBabies (85293)
• Valdosta, Georgia
25 Mar 17
Mylot helps in many ways! Lol. I'm glad you saved the money. =)
3 people like this
@FourWalls (78751)
• United States
26 Mar 17
Woo hoo, that much closer to being a millionaire!
That's an interesting thought, though: why would people make an instrument that doesn't sound good to anyone in front of it?
That's an interesting thought, though: why would people make an instrument that doesn't sound good to anyone in front of it?3 people like this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Mar 17
It actually sounds quite good. Especially for a $500 mandolin. But I ultimately decided that there wasn't reason enough to buy a third mandolin. I have an old (1990s) Kentucky for teaching kids, and my classic Gibson for my own pleasure. That's enough. Especially for someone who is mostly a guitar and bass player right now.
2 people like this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
26 Mar 17
Good thing you did not dive in immediately to buy the "gigging" mandolin.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Mar 17
@sunrisefan Guitar life is good.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
25 Mar 17
@TheInvisibleMan I tend to be slow to buy things I don't need.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
25 Mar 17
Maybe you can start a Gofund me page so you can ask others to help get that Porsche.
2 people like this
@bluerubymoon53 (3286)
• United States
25 Mar 17
It really does well for a person to do some research before shelling out a bunch of clams. Do lots more research on how you can save toward that Porsche!
2 people like this
@CinnamonGrl (7086)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
26 Mar 17
Fabulous to follow your better instincts. I hope you get the Porsche before you die. Or after. Whichever.
2 people like this
@CinnamonGrl (7086)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
26 Mar 17
@TheHorse, MAYBE oops. Maybe they will design a geratric Porsche
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (230510)
• Walnut Creek, California
26 Mar 17
@CinnamonGrl Heh. I hope by the time I'm 700, my "don't give a sh-t" attitude will be fully developed.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (88954)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Mar 17
It does look like a really nice instrument. Glad you got to save the money and you can still enjoy the mandolin. Way to go.
2 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21846)
• Canada
26 Mar 17
Very smart move, if its there to be used, enjoy it there. Enjoy your car when you get it...
2 people like this
@andriaperry (118725)
• Anniston, Alabama
26 Mar 17
Love how one thing leads to another and on and on and finally you see the real truth!
2 people like this
