A-style mandolin in the $2K price range

[drjlove]

Hello,

I'm interested in adding an A-style mandolin to compliment my F5. I have a rough budget of about $2K to spend. I've been seriously considering the KM-950. I've played the KM-900 before are really liked the sound of the one I tested out. Dry, woody, "Gibson-esqe", if you will. I like the idea of the KM-950's radiused fingerboard and large fret wires. For about $1,200 from a well-known retailer (within the mandolin community), it seems like a can't miss. I'd love the idea of a used Gibson A5L. I've never played of heard one in person before. They may be a little out of my budget also.

I'm looking for an A-style, F holes, a dry woody sound, and about $2K or less. Aside from the KM-950, are there any other options that I should be looking at?

Thanks!

[Joey Anchors]

You might want to check out Silverangel Mandolin. From what I hear they have tons of ton and sound big!

[Dan Adams]

Triple iii

[Dan Adams]

Triple iiii

[Timbofood]

Dbl. post, oops

[Timbofood]

There's a 1919 A-3 white face in the classifieds along with several others, no financial interest by me but, I have always had a soft spot for those white face A-3s!
It's showing some age but, when I'm that old I doubt I will look that good!

[fatt-dad]

if you have an archtop f-hole mandolin, get an arch top oval hole mandolin. 12-frets to the body. Old wave, Mike Black, a teens Gibson, etc.

f-d

[Pick&Grin]

Collings MT or MTO with Mat finish in around that range, and you get yourself a lifer.

[Capt. E]

A teens Gibson is an OVAL hole!

You might look at Weber

[Timbofood]

Sorry Cap, overlooked the desire for an ff hole A style the original thought was something different so, I was on the oval,hole to compliment his F style.
I need to get my glasses checked.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Definitely look into a used Collings MT as the are wonderful all around. A 90s or early 2000's Flatiron A5 would be a good candidate too. Northfield is also making a nice A5 for under 2kmthats worth a look.

[Mark Wilson]

Used Collings MT or Pava Satin over a new KM950. Used Collings come around regular. Used Pava's are scarce due to how many have been made so far.

I don't recall seeing a Gibson 5L's down around 2K. I like those myself.

The Northfield A5's in Adam Steffey's Northfield Workshop video look interesting (24:30 or so)

[Josh Levine]

I'd contact the seller of the gibson jammaster asap....

[fscotte]

What makes you want a Gibson A5L if you've never heard one? I have one myself and I think it sounds just as different as every other Gibson.

[Dave LaBoone]

Check out Girouard mandolins. Well-built and beautiful tone.

[Ben Cooper]

Check out Girouard mandolins. Well-built and beautiful tone.

I second that!!! Wholeheartedly!

[Michael Bridges]

Might give this one consideration.
http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/84983
Howard makes some seriously nice mandos!

[Joey Anchors]

I think the KM900/950 and NF A5 are at the same level in all aspects.

[drjlove]

Thanks for all of your replies. It's a help to hear some other suggestions on some other fine A5's I may have not thought of before. I'll check out the Northfields, Collings, Girourads (sp), and some others mentioned above. The search is part of the fun. Again, thanks for the responses.

[drjlove]

I just like the way they look to be honest. I've never played one or heard one up close before to tell you the truth.

[Eric F.]

Chris Baird doesn't get the buzz here that he did several years ago, but his Arches mandolins are incredible. Mando Mutt listed one in the classifieds the other day for $1,650. That's a stupid good price if it sounds anything like my Arches.

[DataNick]

I'd contact the seller of the gibson jammaster asap....

+1...based on what you've posted, I'd be all over this Gibson Jam Master A

[Frank Russell]

+2 on the jam master. If I hadn't just spent my tax refund, it would be headed to my house. Frank

[terzinator]

You say, "Dry, Woody, Gibsonesque"... Where's our Tone Database that we were going to build?

If you want a Gibson, you might have to get a Gibson. The Jam Master does look enticing. Don't see many of them come up for sale.

I can't speak to tone being woody, dry or whathaveyou, but I know that it's tough to beat a used Collings MT in the $1800 range, or a used Kentucky KM-950 in the $850 range. (Or a new one, like you mention.)

We have both in our house, and they're both excellent instruments. (They both sound "really good," to coin a phrase.)

I played a Pava recently, and they ARE all that. Like Mark says above, you might need to wait a while for some to come around on the used market. But a new Pava Satin is only $2250 at The Mandolin Store.

[Ivan Kelsall]

drjlove - If you've played the KM 900 & 950 mandolins & like them,then IMHO,you need look no further.The KM 900 in particular has a terrific reputation for it's tone,& being modeled after the only know Lloyd Loar "A" style might have a lot to do with that fact. There are several members on here who own a KM900 who also own mega-buck mandolins,& they still rate the KM900 very highly,
Ivan