Hello! I've been perusing this forum now for a little while and need some extra decisive help in figuring out what to buy as my first mandolin. I live in a rural, remote town in Utah and will have to have whatever it is shipped to me, so buying on-line is really my option. It looks like people are recommending the ones listed in the thread title. I've been convinced I need to be in the $400-$500 range to get something that will keep me playing and not giving up because the sound is bad, but what should I get?
Should I look for used of these models? New? Or something else? Is it way too risky as a beginner to get a used instrument shipped to me off eBay or something like that? (The nearest luthier is 2hrs away and charges $180 / hr for setup, just FYI.) There are Kentucky KM-150 on Amazon (of all places) - good buy? It looks like Ibanez and The Loar have some much cheaper models but I don't see anything definitive on here regarding quality or value for those.
I'm so excited to start - I played a few instruments looking for sound preferences in a store in Seattle but they didn't have anything in my price range. I know I like f-holes, I'm fine with A-style, and I don't like the flat top sound, but that's all I've got for preference or knowledge!
Thank you in advance for any help and guidance!
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