First Mandolin Choices

[Harper444]

I've been playing/collecting acoustic guitars for >50 years but I am new to mandolin.
Looking for 1 or 2 recommended models for my first purchase in 2 price ranges: <$600 and <$1200.
(Consider A-Style or F-Style; tone-woods; etc.)
Profile: Intermediate to advanced acoustic guitar player with Eclectic music tastes and playlist (<5% bluegrass).

[standing.wav]

For under $600, I would look at the Eastman MD304 or MD305 (A-style oval hole and A-style F hole, respectively). If you're willing to stretch that to $750, I would take a look at Eastman's next step up, the MD504 or MD505.

[steve in tampa]

There is a Big Muddy in the classifieds and another on Reverb. American made instruments.

[pheffernan]

There is a Big Muddy in the classifieds and another on Reverb. American made instruments.

There’s an even cheaper precursor Mid-Missouri in the classifieds:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/167578#167578

And a cheaper one still on Reverb:

https://reverb.com/item/39015043-mid...i-m-2-mandolin

These are hard to beat in your sub-$600 category.

For $1200, I’d be looking for an A5 archtop from a smaller domestic builder. Some options that occasionally surface in that range include Ratliff, Silverangel, and Summit. The closest I can find currently on a cursory look would be this Flatiron:

https://reverb.com/item/39178205-198...iron-performer

[Dave Sheets]

The flatiron mentioned above is Montana made model with a pickup, hard to beat that at the price

[Chuck Leyda]

Hard to beat that Flatiron if you don't mind some honest wear.

Here's a couple more options:
https://reverb.com/item/38862968-red-valley-am-maple
https://www.northfieldinstruments.com/thecalhoun