total noob but wanted real people's info on what to start with...

[therapy]

searched here but couldn't find the answer...I am looking for the best sounding mando ie I don't need an f, don't care what it looks like, don't care about a few dings, etc. for a few different price points...maybe $3-600 and also $600-1k......basically here listening to Battle of Evermore and thinking omgosh that is amazing...TIA

[Dave Hanson]

Look in the classified section.

Dave H

[pheffernan]

If I’m not mistaken, I believe that Jimmy Page wrote “The Battle of Evermore” on a Martin A mandolin belonging to John Paul Jones, and such instruments are routinely available in your $600-1000 range.

https://reverb.com/item/38471110-mar...-mandolin-1935

[Jill McAuley]

You've got options in that price range: a used Flatiron pancake model (nice one in the classifieds right now NFI on my part: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/168847#168847, new or used Big Muddy, new or used Eastman.

[Sue Rieter]

I paid under $300 just last year for my Stradolin, it is amazing to my fingers and ears

Did you read that article "Great Vintage Mandolins under $1,000?

http://www.mandolincafe.com/news/pub...s_001443.shtml

[Richard500]

Something that may be useful is, whenever you see one for sale, here or wherever, search this site for threads and comments. I’ve been doing this a bit, not because I want anything better, but just to get some general understanding. It appears that what’s ‘good’ depends to some degree on what you’re playing, whether ‘loud’ is a primary requirement, and, as you might suspect, differences in individual instruments. And certainly, many mandos, new or used, play much better with a careful setup.

[Bren]

If I’m not mistaken, I believe that Jimmy Page wrote “The Battle of Evermore” on a Martin A mandolin belonging to John Paul Jones, and such instruments are routinely available in your $600-1000 range.

https://reverb.com/item/38471110-mar...-mandolin-1935

Rory Gallagher played "Going to my Hometown" on one like that, too:
https://youtu.be/zYYbK2sDaJ4