New mandolin time...but which?

I've been lurking the forums for quite a while now and recently sold my Eastman 315 in order to upgrade. I've gone through dozens of threads of one versus another and which for the price range, but all the threads seem a bit...dated. So here's the breakdown of what I'm looking for:

- F-Style
- Good woody tone

I've got anywhere between $1,500 - $2,500 to spend.

I've landed on the Kentucky KM-1500 for the moment, but am unsure if it's worth it to go up to a Northfield or wait for a used something else US made. Sadly, not many places in the SF Bay Area have Mandolins (there's one shop, but no Kentuckys to try), so I'm kind of going off what I hear online. I was also thinking of the KM-1500 since I would order that through FolkMusician and I read about their setups, which I'm eager for someone competent to take the initial pass instead of me.

Any thoughts? :)

I'd probably go with a Flatiron or Weber. Good luck with your search.

Play as many as you can. In that range you have options. Especially if you include the secondary market.

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to seek a bunch out, but just wondering if I'm offbase with the KM-1500?

I would make the drive to FolkMusician not that far a drive to actually play several. I have a Kentucky 1050 and it is a great mandolin. I have seen some posts in the classifieds from someone in Santa Rosa (?). I have seen a builder post in Craigslist from Petaluma, but might be out of your price range? How about Tall Toad Music in Sebastapol, I think there is another in Santa Rosa and there is a shop in Walnut Creek that advertises on Craigslist.
Others to consider -some mentioned above
- Flatiron
- Weber
- Pava (A model)
- Nortfield -used
- Summit
-Ratliff
- Morris
- Silverangel (nice used 2 point for sale in the classifieds)
- Kentucky

Lots of great choices..........

Thanks for all the input, Steve. I didn't realize that FolkMusician was nearby, I may need to make the drive. Much appreciated!

There's Gryphon in Palo Alto, of course...Frank Ford's store. What is the "one shop" you mention?

The shop I was talking about is Gryphon. :) They have a '93 Dave Dart at the moment that I'm thinking of checking out.

Sylvan Music in Santa Cruz has a nice selection.

Sylvan Music  
Address: 1521 Mission St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 427-1917
Hours:
Monday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

I'll check them out, too. Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Northwest Steve

I would make the drive to FolkMusician not that far a drive to actually play several. I have a Kentucky 1050 and it is a great mandolin. I have seen some posts in the classifieds from someone in Santa Rosa (?). I have seen a builder post in Craigslist from Petaluma, but might be out of your price range? How about Tall Toad Music in Sebastapol, I think there is another in Santa Rosa and there is a shop in Walnut Creek that advertises on Craigslist.
Others to consider -some mentioned above
- Flatiron
- Weber
- Pava (A model)
- Nortfield -used
- Summit
-Ratliff
- Morris
- Silverangel (nice used 2 point for sale in the classifieds)
- Kentucky

Lots of great choices..........

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I think Tall Toad Music are in Petaluma. People's Music is the Sebastopol store.

Regards,

First mistake you made was selling the Eastman YOU DON'T sell them just buy more LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mandoplumb

First mistake you made was selling the Eastman YOU DON'T sell them just buy more LOL

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Hahaha...yeah, well...I'm having a hard enough time convincing the wife that I need to keep my Banjo, too. ;)

A Kentucky is a fine mandolin for their price range, Northfield is also. For an American made instrument in that price range you will have to go with a small builder or a used instrument. For an excellent instrument just above your price range check out the Flatiron A-5-2 that just showed up in the classifieds. THere is also a Flatiron Festival F model in your price range. It is hard to go wrong with a Bozeman made instrument. R/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by withfoam

I've been lurking the forums for quite a while now and recently sold my Eastman 315 in order to upgrade. I've gone through dozens of threads of one versus another and which for the price range, but all the threads seem a bit...dated. So here's the breakdown of what I'm looking for:

- F-Style
- Good woody tone

I've got anywhere between $1,500 - $2,500 to spend.

I've landed on the Kentucky KM-1500 for the moment, but am unsure if it's worth it to go up to a Northfield or wait for a used something else US made. Sadly, not many places in the SF Bay Area have Mandolins (there's one shop, but no Kentuckys to try), so I'm kind of going off what I hear online. I was also thinking of the KM-1500 since I would order that through FolkMusician and I read about their setups, which I'm eager for someone competent to take the initial pass instead of me.

Any thoughts? :)

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I just got word from Jeff at JBovier.net that he has some 2014 F5-SS with "very slight cosmetic finish blemishes" that he will do for $1200. That's a $600 savings, and if I had the money, that would be my pick. Put the remaining $1300 in your next mando fund and save up for that Collings MF.

Wow, not bad! More investigation continues... :)

5th string still have it's shop near the Ashby Bart station ?

in the 80's, I got a couple things from them when they had a Geary St shop
in the Richmond (SF)

In the classifieds there is this.......

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/91198#91198

Also this.........

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/90883#90883

Good luck with your search.

NFI