Which would you pick? Upgrading to upper-low-end mando.

[andybean]

I am looking to upgrade from the cheaper sub-$800 mandolins out there. I had an Eastman 505 (that I loved) that recently met an untimely death, and am making due with a crap Chinese plywood thing for now. I am stuck between a few models. Which would you pick, if you had up to $1600 to burn? I like a fairly loud, woody and "round" bluegrass type of sound, without too-shrill highs. I don't really care what it looks like, I am more of a tone junky. Just so long as it doesn't have poorly-cut fretwires or other blemishes that affect playability.

JBovier F5Z or F5T with cast tailpiece (I haven't been able to play one of these as they aren't stocked anywhere near me. Are these now made in China?? Or still Korea?)

Eastman 515 with a K&K pickup (I've played this one and I like the chop and lead tones, but it does seem to have some muddy spots along the neck)

Kentucky Artist-F (can't play one near me)

GoldTone GM70+ (Again, can't play one anywhere near me)

Or would you all recommend that I trawl the classifieds looking for a used, higher quality non-Asian instrument?

Thanks!

[atbuckner21]

Are you set on F-styles? If not, you could go up just a little more and wait on the Northfield model M (made is USA, I believe $1800.00) coming out this spring, or put a little more and get a Pava. You could a really quality A-style for right about what you are wanting to spend.

[JeffD]

Or would you all recommend that I trawl the classifieds looking for a used, higher quality non-Asian instrument?

Thanks!

I would look at the classifieds. Asian or not, what you are looking for tone wise could well be there.

[pheffernan]

Which would you pick, if you had up to $1600 to burn? I like a fairly loud, woody and "round" bluegrass type of sound, without too-shrill highs.

In that price range, I'd be looking for a Gibson A9, Jam Master A, or Nashville era Flatiron Performer A, or a Silverangel A if one were to surface. If an F-style were important, I'd try to save a bit more to get into a Gibson F9 or Nashville era Flatiron Festival F. If patience is not an option, I'd look to the Kentucky KM1000/1050.

[Astro]

In that price range, I'd be looking for a Gibson A9, Jam Master A, or Nashville era Flatiron Performer A, or a Silverangel A if one were to surface. If an F-style were important, I'd try to save a bit more to get into a Gibson F9 or Nashville era Flatiron Festival F. If patience is not an option, I'd look to the Kentucky KM1000/1050.

This is also where I'd be looking. Except I just might save some money and buy a used Kentucky KM 900,1000,1500 (or 950 1050) depending on whats out there.

[Josh Levine]

Pat has got you headed in the right direction. This one fits the bill (NFI) for significantly under your budget:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/82466

I have a 2001 Flatiron Festival F that definitely has the woody round bluegrass sound, and I belief this one is my mandolin in A style with slightly nicer trim. This might basically be a A5L Gibson (Fern) in a Flatiron suit as this was made by Gibson at their Nashville plant. Correct me if I am wrong here folks.

[pheffernan]

This one fits the bill (NFI) for significantly under your budget:

Budget leaves room for a pickguard!

[andybean]

Thanks everyone! The community on this site is really just amazing. I've been reconsidering my options and my preferences, and have been trawling the classifieds like mad.

[almeriastrings]

Pat has got you headed in the right direction. This one fits the bill (NFI) for significantly under your budget:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/82466

This might basically be a A5L Gibson (Fern) in a Flatiron suit as this was made by Gibson at their Nashville plant. Correct me if I am wrong here folks.

If I was looking for something like you specify, I'd be all over that one in an instant...

The 'Artist' models are quite rare, and are seriously fine instruments. Currently under-rated and under-valued. They are pro-grade mandolins through and through.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Unless you're definite about wanting an "F" style mandolin,one "A" style which constantly gets boat loads of praise is the Kentucky KM900. There are quite a few folk on here with really 'top end' mandolins who regard the KM900 as nothing less than a terrific instrument.
My personal ideal mandolin is an Ellis F5,but,having recently bought a 'used' Ellis "A" style,i wouldn't part with it for any other mandolin on the planet. You say that you're a 'tone junky' - more than a few owners off KM900's believe that their tone is very ''Loar' like - that alone would make me search one out,
Ivan

[nickster60]

There is a nice Kentucky 900 in the classifieds and it is price nicely NFI

[Dave Greenspoon]

There's a used KM-1500 needing frets in the Classifieds that would eventually go over your budget...or there's this:

http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/82769

The Rigel A+ is not your trad F style in looks--but I know mine A Nat holds its own against F style mandos made anywhere at three times the price point.

[Josh Levine]

I've done a bad bad thing. I bought that Flat A5 Artist...will report back in the future.

[lflngpicker]

Congrats, Walter. I look forward to hearing about how you like it.

[Josh Levine]

Thanks, now just to sell my Festival F...

[lukmanohnz]

You asked which one I would pick. So here's the one I would pick: I would not pick a specific make or model. Instead I would go to the closest dealer that had a wide variety of used and new mandolins in my price range and play as many as I could, and then keep playing the ones I liked best until there was one that I just kept on picking up to play more than any of the others. That one.

All that said, here are a couple that would probably be included in my audition if the closest dealer to me was Elderly and my budget was roughly what yours is (NFI):

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-6688.htm

http://elderly.com/vintage/items/90U-6621.htm

(BTW - this approach is basically how I bought my Capek.)

[CWRoyds]

I love my J Bovier F5 Special.
It is a beautiful mandolin.
Mine has a loud dry woody tone with that pop when you hit the string.
With the new EXP J74cm strings on it is just awesome to play.
I have yet to play a mandolin below $2,000 that I like as much.
Just a thought.

[terzinator]

A used Collings MT should probably be on your short list.

[andybean]

Well, I decided to cough up some more cash. Ok, a lot more cash. After playing about 20 different mandolins for hours and hours over two visits, I went home with a Pava Player from the Mandolin Store and couldn't be happier. This little thing really sings. I will say that the A string on this thing puts the "A" in A-style, but hopefully it will balance out more as it opens up. Thanks again for all your suggestions people!

[mandobajo]

my pick would be used Flatiron, Summit, Lafferty... czech builders like Prucha or Krishot are great bang for buck...

[Perry Babasin]

Congratulations, excellent instrument from all reports!

[terzinator]

I will say that the A string on this thing puts the "A" in A-style, but hopefully it will balance out more as it opens up.

Can you elaborate on that?

[andybean]

terzinator:

Basically, to my ear, this instrument resonates more powerfully when responding to a plucked open A-string than any other open string (or fretted not, for that matter). You could say its "resonant center" is the A-string. The fretted notes on the A string also seem to stand out just a bit stronger than other fretted notes. It's not a negative thing really, just something that I noticed pretty fast. It can be a bit shrill when it seems to be in certain moods (humidity levels?), but I've been reading how a well-played top can balance these kind of things out. And I have no trouble picking it up to play! Great chop, really even intonation across the neck, and the perfect soft-v neck shape and size for my hands. It has a really crisp, bright tone with just enough round, woodsy charisma for me. I played a few Collings MTs that I liked, but found their tone to be a bit too dry for me. I do wish it had a scooped neck, as that's where my pick tends to end up for my ideal tone, but the scooped version was waaay too $teep. Maybe I'll have it scooped some day...