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50+ guitar player here that has been tinkering with Mando for about 3 years. Bought a Rover RM-75 which, after a proper setup, plays well. Soundwise, it's just OK.
I'd like to step up to the next level in both quality and tone. My budget is 1K.
A couple of things I would like:
Wider Nut
Radiused Fretboard
Thanks in advance for any advice you may give.
Ron
A used A style is the place to look.
Indeed, if you are patient and keep looking, you might even be able to find a Gibson plain A. That is, one without the headstock logo. I've succeeded twice in this regard, though I admit, my last such purchase was about seven years ago, and prices may have gone up since then. Check eBay now and then, see what's what. Bid wisely and well, and who knows? You could get lucky.
I believe there are some well-considered makes of new A models in that price range. I'm not familiar, but others will be and will suggest possibilities. Stick around, you'll see.
PS: Just took a look at eBay, first time in a while. Hoo boy! :disbelief: Looks like those days are gone. Long gone. But still, you never know ... :whistling: And there are other makes there in your price range. So ... good luck!
I might consider an American made Breedlove.Quote:
Originally Posted by rdamato
The only kind of vintage mandos I've seen a number of are the tourist bowl backs. Many of them have visible problems relating to the tuners - head cracks, enlarged spindle holes, rough tuners etc. Do old Gibsons suffer much from those head and tuner problems?
I agree with pheffernan. Although Breedlove stopped making their American mandolin a few years ago, you can still find them new and unsold in some stores. I saw a new one for sale at the local Sam Ash only a few months ago. These are perfect for guitarists wanting a wider radiused fretboard. These have large frets and play really nicely up the neck. You might try searching Reverb dot com. You could also look for a wide nut version of an Eastman or Kentucky but I think those are pretty rare.
I have two F's and two A's that are in the white.. you want finish them yourself ?????
Flatiron Festival a-model.
f-d
Check out my signature and get on your way.
I agree with these gents. I’ve never played a non-US Breedlove, but I had a Quartz OF, which I sold when I found a used Quartz FF here. For a while, you could always find one or two in the Cafe Classifieds, but they don’t show up as often these days. It might be worth scrolling through the listings to see of any are buried within. The used OF’s generally go for $700-800, and the used FF’s for $1,100-1300. Both models have satin finish, wide nut, and radiused fretboard as standard features.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scotter
a Rigel a-model?
f-d
I’d also consider an offer on this one:
https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/167691#167691
I second this. I have a legacy OF (F hole A style) that I got used from TMS for $1K some years ago. That model came with a K & K twin installed and this combination has served me well both acoustically and at many gigs.Quote:
Originally Posted by pheffernan
TMS doesn't have one any longer but here's a link to an old ad
https://themandolinstore.com/product...s-of-mandolin/