Re: In search of a mandolin...
My friend, you are going straight into the deep end. Considering you are just starting out and are expecting to make a healthy investment, i think you would be well served by considering getting two or three different instruments in the 2-3k range that are quite different in styles...one archtop with f-holes (could be either an A- or F-style body; it’s a matter of personal preference, comfort and budget), one archtop with an oval hole, and a flattop (this could be an old Martin or one by many current builders including Howard Morris, Peter Sawchyn, Northfield Calhoun etc. and you can spend 1K or less to get a good one). Perhaps even a mandola. Unless you run in much more rarified musical-social circles than I do (not unlikely) you may want to have something that is not so valuable that it makes you nervous to take it to a pub jam or party. THEN, having provided a few choices, immerse yourself and you will find out which one(s) you play and which ones you don’t. Sell the ones you don’t and play again. The initials MAS should mean something to you by then (Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome). Agonizing over making sure it’s “the one” when you’re just starting your adventure is kind of like getting married at 16. BTW you won’t go wrong with Collings archtops for either fholes or oval-hole. Very consistent and hold their value well. Have fun. A lot of fun. Cheers.
2009 Eastman 505
2011 Collings MTO GT
2008 Toyota Sienna
2018 Sawchyn mandola
Mandoline or Mandolin: Similar to the lute, but much less artistically valuable....for people who wish to play simple music without much trouble —The Oxford Companion to Music
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