What to do.
I have been looking at octave mandolins. The Clark has bubbled to the top of the list until I ran across the Northfield. I had lunch with a man who deals in high end violins who mentioned that the best violins are currently being made in the small shops in China.
Most of the instruments he deals in are in multiples of $10K.
So, the dilemma - the Northfield is $1500 less. Now, I find that a small shop Chinese made instrument might also have better sound qualities. I am kind of a Made in America guy but, I really like quality regardless of the source. With Northfield do I get quality and a somewhat lower price?