For A models the OP's budget hits such a sweet spot. Lots of options - all instruments that could be a life-time mandolin. I hope the OP is going out and playing as many as possible to find "the" one!
For A models the OP's budget hits such a sweet spot. Lots of options - all instruments that could be a life-time mandolin. I hope the OP is going out and playing as many as possible to find "the" one!
I’ve read all the suggestions, my .02 worth is the name on the peghead IS NOT the final test. You may find a $1,000 mandolin that will put them to shame, play every one you see for sale until one speaks to you.
I haven't played every mandolin out there. I have played any I could get my hands on.
Yes, there are quality (and preference) ranges that don't exactly correlate to price.
No, I've never met a 1K mandolin that puts an Ellis to shame.
Girouard Concert A5
Girouard Custom A4
Nordwall Cittern
Barbi Mandola
Crump OM-1s Octave
www.singletonstreet.com
There's a beautiful Duff for sale in the classifieds.
Recent Duff A5s are the best.
I'm going down tomorrow to check out the Red Diamond.
"your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."
I see it's still there.
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
I'm back!!!! I found the mandolin I was looking for. It's a 7/9/97 Flatiron A5 Artist, interestingly enough signed by Charlie Derrington. Got it at Carter Vintage a couple days ago for far under my 5K target. Previous owner outfitted it with Waverlys and a James tailpiece. Wicked good mando. I already own a '89 Carlson A5L and wanted something to complement that one. Maybe one day I'll get that Duff or Aleyas A5, maybe even a Dude 1A. Until then I'm pretty well set. Made on the same day as Monroe's....just not the same year. BUT I can say I have a July 9th. Thanks, everyone.
2019 Duff A-5 #246
1964 Martin A
Looks like a homerun! Congrats!!
2020 Northfield Big Mon
2016 Skip Kelley A5
2011 Weber Gallatin A20
2021 Northfield Flattop Octave Mandolin
2019 Pono Flattop Octave
Richard Beard Celtic Flattop
And a few electrics
Looks great, signed by one of the best, Waverly and James are good QoL upgrades. A lot to love. Enjoy!
Girouard Concert A5
Girouard Custom A4
Nordwall Cittern
Barbi Mandola
Crump OM-1s Octave
www.singletonstreet.com
Really nice. Yes, I agree, you can stop there and be very happy.
Other folks have done a lot of nice recommendations.
Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Flatiron 1N, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
https://www.lauluaika.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Longtine-Am...14404553312723
Nice!
Hi Cafe,
Since posting this thread some months ago, I have shifted mandolins around and ended up with a 2020 Craig Wilson WA-5 AND.....a 2019 Duff A-5! The Wilson is a strong-sounding Griffith-style, and the Duff is unimaginably great. Paul Duff is soooo underpriced for what you get. Both mandolins are good enough to run with. The Wilson is LOUD with a chunky neck profile. The Duff is also loud, but more so in proper mandolin fundamentals, and has a thin neck, allowing even the Gb chord to be comfortable. Thanks for all the comments and input.
2019 Duff A-5 #246
1964 Martin A
Duff wins!
Congrats
Jim
My Stream on Soundcloud
19th Century Tunes
Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
I think a simple answer would be that any well-respected builder's A models would be as powerful as their F models. So, think of any highley regarded builder who has A models in the $5k range and assume they'll be pretty powerful instruments.
Kimble or Pomeroy.
Pomeroy F5 2003
Weber Madison F5 2013
Weber Sweet Pea travel mando 2006
Eric Ouren open back banjo
Bart Reiter open back banjo
THE WEBER YELLOWSTONE A14-F MANDOLIN, just to suggest something different.
It seems to me you’re describing a Skip Kelley. His A styles are well within your price range and are way on the loud, cutting, bluegrass-oriented side of the fence. I’m a tad biased because I’m hoping to get one someday, but man do those things bark.
John Hamlet too. John dialed in my two point and it’s just killer. I remember him asking me what kind of music I play, and any tone specs. He, like most of our beloved independent luthiers, can pretty much make precisely what you would like.
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