Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 31

Thread: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

  1. #1

    Default $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    I've got a $1000 burning a hole in my pocket. I've sold my A-style and I'm in the market for an F-style. What should I get?

    I've read other forums and I've done my own research ... BUT I want to know what you think! Tell me what you'd do, if you had a grand to spend.

    Thanks,
    Dave

  2. #2
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,858

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    I'd hunt around to see if I could find a Kentucky KM-1000 in that price range, but barring that (and I couldn't find one in a cursory search), I'd buy the best Eastman in my budget: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/163362#163362
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  3. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to pheffernan For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    2,117

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    I have to advise to check this thread: https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/pu...s_001443.shtml (Great Vintage Mandolins Under $1,000, published in 2012 and still absolutely recomended reading)

    Play before you buy. Thatīs the best advice for most any instrument that you might have an interest in.
    Olaf

  5. The following members say thank you to grassrootphilosopher for this post:


  6. #4
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    24,807
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    It depends on what kind of music you play. Certainly check the classifieds just around the corner.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  7. #5
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,858

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Quote Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher View Post
    I have to advise to check this thread: https://www.mandolincafe.com/news/pu...s_001443.shtml (Great Vintage Mandolins Under $1,000, published in 2012 and still absolutely recomended reading)
    I love the article and have returned to it repeatedly, but I don't find an F-style in its contents.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  8. #6
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Saint Augustine Beach FL
    Posts
    6,633

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Eastman 515.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  9. #7
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Auburn, Washington
    Posts
    1,553

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    As mentioned before I'd look at Eastman, 315 or 515. I'd also look at the Kentucky km750 or km 850.

    I noticed Sun Valley guitar is having a sale. NFI.

    https://sunvalleyguitars.com/product...v=e748b7c8fd06

    I'd personally try to find a Eastman 415 blk cause I like the look

    https://massstreetmusic.com/products...gaAm5dEALw_wcB

    Happy Hunting!

  10. #8

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    If you want an American build with a great tone and a luthier who guarantees his builds; Morris. Otherwise +1 on the eastman 300 series. They have a great warranty and are, in my opinion, some of the best things coming out of China.

    Used J. Boviers and American Breedlove are also excellent.

    I hear good things about Afanti but I've never played one and couldn't say. There's threads about them on the forums.

  11. #9
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    St. Paul, MN
    Posts
    2,045

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Zach mentioned it above, but I'll definitely second trying to find a Kentucky KM-850. Have played a couple and they are excellent mandolins. The normal price is slightly above your budget, but maybe you can luck out.
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
    https://www.lauluaika.com/
    https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723

  12. #10
    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    2,117

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    I love the article and have returned to it repeatedly, but I don't find an F-style in its contents.
    True! I just overlooked that the OP desires an F-style mandolin.

    But at that price point I would concentrate on a great A-style mandolin. And of course I am biased, narrow minded and stuck up. Because at that level it is Strad-O-Lin for me all the way. I never saw or played a mandolin up to some couple of thousand USD that could outplay my Strad-O-Lin.
    Olaf

  13. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to grassrootphilosopher For This Useful Post:


  14. #11
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,985

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Quote Originally Posted by grassrootphilosopher View Post
    True! I just overlooked that the OP desires an F-style mandolin.

    But at that price point I would concentrate on a great A-style mandolin. And of course I am biased, narrow minded and stuck up. Because at that level it is Strad-O-Lin for me all the way. I never saw or played a mandolin up to some couple of thousand USD that could outplay my Strad-O-Lin.
    I love my Strad-O-Lin, and though I'm a pretty inexperienced player, the sound of it has been given high praise by much better musicians than me!

    Is there any such thing as an F-Style Stradolin? The two pointers look pretty cool.

  15. #12
    Dave Sheets
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Buffalo NY Area
    Posts
    445

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    I know you want an F-body, but a Flatiron A can sometimes be found used for that price.
    -Dave
    Flatiron A
    Way too many other instruments

  16. #13
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Auburn, Washington
    Posts
    1,553

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Sheets View Post
    I know you want an F-body, but a Flatiron A can sometimes be found used for that price.
    A lot of really good A's can be found for 1k (especially used) and that's what I'd look for too. But, I guess the OP has scroll desire/envy. It happens to the best of us
    Last edited by Zach Wilson; Dec-02-2020 at 7:45pm.

  17. #14
    Registered User withfoam's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    144

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    I would also say what Pheffernan did. KM-1000 or best Eastman. I was in the same boat and initially got an Eastman 315, loved it. Then I upgraded to a KM-1050.
    Ellis F5 Reserve
    Collings MF Deluxe
    Kentucky KM-1050

  18. The following members say thank you to withfoam for this post:


  19. #15
    Registered User Trader Todd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    SC Lowcountry
    Posts
    122

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    When I was shopping in that price point, I got an Eastman 515. Great mando, I love it. Bought it here on the classifieds. I was supposed to sell it to finance my Northfield but it is such a great mando, I can't part with it. (So much for my one in, one out rule. Don't tell the Mrs...) Good luck.

  20. The following members say thank you to Trader Todd for this post:


  21. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Southern Maine
    Posts
    280

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Another vote for the most Eastman that fits the budget.
    Girouard A
    Silverangel A
    Eastman 615

  22. #17

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Those Kentucky KM1000 mandos are great values at used prices.
    2010 Heiden A5, 2020 Pomeroy oval A, 2013 Kentucky KM1000 F5, 2012 Girouard A Mandola w ff holes, 2001 Old Wave A oval octave
    http://HillbillyChamberMusic.bandcamp.com
    Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@hillbillychambermusic

  23. #18
    Registered User Pappyrich's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Williamsburg, VA
    Posts
    237

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Another vote for the Eastman's..
    Richard

    Eastman 305
    Gibson A1 (1919)
    Martin D16 guitar
    Great Divide Guitar (Two-Old-Hippies)
    OME 11" banjo (1973)
    Pisgah 12" banjo

  24. #19
    Registered User red7flag's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Dickson, TN
    Posts
    3,292

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    The Kentuckys and Eastmans are both great options. If your focus is more on bluegrass related music, I would recommend the Kentucky. Eastman, to me, has a more modern sound. Not better or worse, different. At that price point, you can find examples of both Kentucky and Eastman that are exceptional. You won't know until you try them. Trying instruments can be trying in these times, but we'll worth it when possible. To me buying an instrument is like getting married. You want to date as much as possible before hand.
    Tony Huber
    1930 Martin Style C #14783
    2011 Mowry GOM
    2013 Hester F4 #31
    2014 Ellis F5 #322
    2017 Nyberg Mandola #172

  25. #20

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    You won't go terribly wrong with Eastman or Kentucky. Kentucky gives you the 6-8 series. Eastman the 3-5. I like the Eastman 515cc and the 515v.
    Here's some info. I can recommend all these stores as well. Reach out to them and see what they have to say!

    https://store.banjobenclark.com/coll...olin-with-case

    https://themandolinstore.com/product...md515-varnish/

    https://themusicemporium.com/mandoli..._mandolin_whsc
    Girouard Concert A5
    Girouard Custom A4
    Nordwall Cittern
    Barbi Mandola
    Crump OM-1s Octave
    www.singletonstreet.com

  26. #21
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Wait for a Kentucky km1000 (and keep saving in case it's a couple hundred more...)

  27. The following members say thank you to Mark Seale for this post:


  28. #22
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Balama, Mozambique, Africa, Earth
    Posts
    704

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Save up a few more pennies and buy a RAG from Roy Gordon, or a Buckhorn from Keith Terry. They run between $1000-1500 and are hand built by American luthiers.
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
    My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF...yWuaTrtB4YORAg
    My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
    Free backing tracks:
    https://backingtrackers.wordpress.com/

  29. #23
    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    2,117

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I love my Strad-O-Lin, and though I'm a pretty inexperienced player, the sound of it has been given high praise by much better musicians than me!

    Is there any such thing as an F-Style Stradolin? The two pointers look pretty cool.
    Unfortunately thereīs no such thing as an Strado-F.

    As far as I am concerned there are distinctions between the 30ies Strad-O-Linds and the 40ies Strad-O-Lins and the later Strad-O-Lins with the 30ies being the best (and I am being biased). Thereīs a Strad-O-Lin group on the cafe where you may find more info and comunication.

    I donīt think that thereīs more value than an early Strad-O-Lin. Enjoy yours!! And post some music here!
    Olaf

  30. #24

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Not an F, but a good mandolin at a fair price. NFI

    https://nashville.craigslist.org/msg...234676479.html

  31. #25
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,786

    Default Re: $1000 Budget - What should I get?

    Check with Dennis at TMS (NFI). They periodically get “blem” Eastman 515s that sell for a bit less than budget, and the blems are often extremely tough to find. Very good instruments, excellent values!

    My “beater” prior to a downsizing during a move a couple years ago was an Eastman 315 I picked up for $429 at a GC affiliate’s clearance sale before their price bump to current levels. Were it not for the move, I’d still have it. It had 80-85% of the tone of a Collings MT I had at the time, at 1/3-1/4 the cost. Funny, but I got just as many compliments on how it sounded as I did with my better mandolins. I could feel/hear the difference, but the average non-musician really couldn’t...
    Chuck

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •