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I have a ToneGard on my Rigel A and Eastman 515. I find them comfortable and useful. I appreciate that the product has evolved and improved over time. Also, Tony is a great provider and stands by...

Rigel A. It's ironic: the modern design delivers a classic tone. Otherwise, try and find a used Stiver. Charles Johnson has a blonde(!) Hamlett listed on his site (NFI).

My most recent McClung.
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Played a meh Loar there...and a Monteleone that made me weep it was so good. Still have the t-shirt....

Add in a basic preamp and eq for a small uptick to the target range and I'd definitely be interested.

Also consider Stiver and Rattlesnake, and Bluett Brothers for small shop US builders. Fwiw, no new Rattlesnakes are in production.

Lovely instruments, and what an inheritance to have. Please grab a shot of the rest of that label in the A.

I picked up a mandolin string winder a number of years ago from The Mandolin Store during their Black Friday sale. Their website currently shows one on sale for about $20. I love mine, fits all the...

Sad to hear this. The Dutchman is a favorite song.

+1 for the Longhollow Softy.

I used to not be a fan but have changed my mind. Done well, they can be an elegant element. Clearly here is a prime example. I've seen some of the Eastman 614's also have a nice block inlay.

Dan, I call this Eastman a "poor person's Collings." No, the MD-515 isn't quite the level of the basic Collings MF. It was most me less than 20% of the price and still comes with a lifetime warranty.

How do the tonal qualities compare with the solid body 5 string, and how much lighter is it?

A used Rigel A Natural meets your specs.

A used Rigel A Natural might do it for you, OP. My Eastman experience was that I eschewed them for years. Got new MD-515 from TMS and couldn't be more thrilled. Fits my hand much more easily than...

FWIW, AMW held their first Stiver Fest back in '03 iirc.

Seen/heard lots of the KM-505's at jams and fests and fewer Eastman 3XX series. A used Eastman 505 usually comes in under your price point and IMO outperforms both other options. The Eastman 3xx is...

Wow..a 12 year necrothread resurrected. Have to affirm though. My Rigel has a TG. So does the Eastman MD-515. Both also sport Longhollow Softy straps (as does the El Rey). All my traditional body...

Stiver, all day long. Rigel if you aren't concerned about stink eye from the Bluegrass Police. Macica (upstate NY) for an off-radar killer A style mandolin and pricing that is kind to the wallet.

I have a standard 515, which I have raved about elsewhere on the Cafe. Excellent instrument, especially at the price point. My one gripe is the choice of the stock Pingwell tuning machines. I'm...

This seems like a YMMV thing. Hasn't been the case for me on the Eastman 515. Currently have Longhollow straps on the Rigel A (this was actually Rigel branded), the 515, and the El Rey. Previously...

Softy Longhollow. They work on A's and F's. Excellent strap.

Found him in the mid '80s; saw him in the early 90's in San Diego at Humphreys, and in the Village, maybe at The Bottom Line. Such an amazing performer and so humble. He evidently saw himself more a...

My fx for electric mandolin will vary from rig to rig based on the amp, and gig to gig based on the need. I pulled myself up from a pretty deep rabbit hole. These days really just running 2-3 effects...

The idea of commemorative instruments is important, even if it makes us uncomfortable. IIRC, the article about violins formerly owned by Jews killed during WW2 has made the rounds on the Cafe. FWIW,...