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So sorry. Peter hung out with us in Elkins, WV at the Augusta Music Festival. It was his inspiration that peaked my interest in mandolin. Though, it was several years later before I actually begun to...

Perhaps someone with more expertise than me (it doesn't take much) could chime in. I was told by a builder that while binding does not effect playability (obvious) it does to some degree prevent the...

I have been under the assumption, perhaps falsely, that their Master or perhaps Artist models were made in Michigan. Now that I have written this I'm certain someone will be eager to educate me on...

Congratulations! I have posted this before regarding Northfields. September 2019 I paid a visit to Elderly Instruments when passing through Michigan. I stayed several hours and played every new and...

Pittsburgh is very fortunate to have a dedicated orchestra with a very capable conductor to grace our city.
https://www.pittsburghmandolinorchestra.com

The gap may be shrinking but still significant. I had a builder tell me that CNC reduced some of the additional build time, but extra time and work remains.

I would look for a used Phoenix Neoclassical. Not an oval hole but it will hold it's own with ovals.

In post #6 I suggested getting a mandolin method book such as ALFREDS to learn not only where the notes are but to also simultaneously learn to apply reading notation to your playing. I think this...

A teach yourself to play mandolin book such as ALFREDS will give you easy to do notation exercises for the notes on each string. In a very short time you will acquire muscle memory in your fingers...

I can't help you with a definitive answer to your question but I would like to point out something that I have touched on many times. Buy from a Cafe sponsor! Cafe sponsors not only provide an...

Look at today's classified listing here in the Cafe.

For me, like when I first met my dear wife.

I find the "Pick'N Glider" great for relaxed playing at home. I like a chair with a straight back for outside playing when not standing.

Go to the tab here in the Cafe for Builders and locate a luthier in Georgia.

I have owned three travel mandolins of different makers for size, certainly not for sound. They served their purpose for bicycles, hiking, boats, and buses, trains, planes and automobiles when...

All smart choices for a starter to intermediate mandolin and should play comparably with slight differences. I have owned two 305s and have not owned a km250. Both Eastmans and Kentuckys I have owned...

Just read the book of Randy Wood. According to him much more difficult to build than a guitar. He, if anyone, would be an authority on the subject.
Obviously size doesn't matter. Violins of equal...

I have found that quality instruments bought new resell for approximately 70 to 75% of new price if in excellent condition, but are almost always a quick sale. I see Chain retail store mandolins not...

I know of no years to avoid as you have seen here quality control is consistent. I had a MT that I was very fond of. I don't recall the year, but I think around 2016. I was the second owner. The...

I should go and examine my Rogue to put my mind at ease now that I have been made aware that it could be a knock off.

Is the humidity increasing? You did not say how long between sessions and not sure if that matters. However that information may influence a more definitive response.

Watch the Cafe classifieds. Yesterday I saw a used "as new" Eastman 305 for I think $375. Can't go wrong with that. As you stated, "you do not want to go all in", well that is the ticket for a very...

Good questions, but difficult or perhaps impossible to answer. I think all builders start out with the desire to build a great sounding/playing mandolin. I also think that the materials the builder...

I'm a cheapskate by nature. Our boys always say I act like I grew up in the great depression.
But my wife helps me. When she knows I'm pining for a new instrument, she also knows I will not spend...

How about a very inexpensive new or used but playable mandolin like a Savannah or a Rogue. A Cafe sponsor has a Savannah advertised now in the classifieds for cost of a few cases of beer.
Then play...