Re: Any info on this mandolin would be appreciated
According to the printed specs, the Adam Black at least has a solid spruce top -- heat-pressed, not carved (not as good) -- laminated maple back and sides, and "purpleheart" (?) fingerboard. Also a gig bag, though the pic shows a pretty basic one. US dollar equivalent is about $275, which is decent for a solid-top instrument.
Definitely Asian (probably Chinese) made, I'd guess by one of the big factories that puts various labels on their products for various distributors. Properly set up, could be an acceptable student instrument. As the previous poster says, all-solid-wood should be a better one, however. Not sure what Cash Converters sells the Republic for.
Since you already play guitar, you know about the importance of proper set-up. The variable that most guitars don't have, is that mandolin has a "floating" bridge -- not glued to the top, held on by string tension. It's of utmost importance that the bridge be properly positioned, and the saddle height be adjusted for the right "action" (string height). A good instrument dealer will do this before selling a mandolin; a fairly experienced player can learn to do this without too much effort.
You have knowledge of stringed instruments; I'd see if I could give the Adam Black a bit of a "test drive" before deciding to buy it.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
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Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
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