Wide Nut Mandos.

[TheOne-N-OnlyHomer]

So, I'm finding that I like to play mandolins with a slightly wider nut or actually a nut that is on the wider end of the spectrum. I played and old Givens the other day and although it was completely out of my price range it had a nut with a around 7/32 and felt great to play.That being said, I have a Loar 220 lm vs with a nut with that is slightly on the narrow side of the spectrum. Now I was wondering if anybody might be able to point me in the direction of a comprable mando with a wider nut around the same price range as the Loar? We'll say under $800.00, I know that'a about twice as much as The Loar but a fella has to have goals.

[Mike Arakelian]

Take a look at the Breedlove OF or the Crossover. The OF is a little above your price point but can be found used for less. The Crossover is below your price point. Both have a 1&3/16" nut. Good luck.

[renoyd]

How about a pre-1922 Gibson A series? Close to your budget.

[Randi Gormley]

and I'll put in a word for a strad-o-lin -- mine has a wider nut and is about half the cost of what you've set aside. of course, you need one without issues and that might take some searching, but they have a lot more going for them than you'd expect from an instrument of their pedigree. Just sayin'

[Tailgate]

Although I'm not a big fan of the look of Breedlove mandolins, they do have nice feeling wide necks and you should be able to find a used one in your price range.

[Steve Jeter]

Take a look at the Breedlove OF or the Crossover. The OF is a little above your price point but can be found used for less. The Crossover is below your price point. Both have a 1&3/16" nut. Good luck.

I got a of premier& a crossover, the width is there ,, but way more shallow profile than the LM 290 , I have now.
I had a big muddy w/ 1/4 nut it was nice. If it will give you the sound you like.

[Ivan Kelsall]

I'm pretty sure that most Czech built Lebeda mandolins have a wider nut .They're also slightly larger than standard.The nut width on my Lebedais 1-3/16" & i'm sure that my first Lebeda was the same. They're well worth checking out if you can find one,
Ivan

[acousticphd]

Now I was wondering if anybody might be able to point me in the direction of a comprable mando with a wider nut around the same price range as the Loar? We'll say under $800.00, I know that'a about twice as much as The Loar but a fella has to have goals.

The Kentucky 505 has a 1-3/16" nut and a radiused FB, and is well within your price range. IMO, the KM505 is considerably better sounding than any of the Loar models I have heard. I have never seen the newer KM550, but that may be worth checking out as well.