Re: Decided to expand from just guitar to mandolin
OP,
I'm a new guitar-to-mandolin guy myself. Having just bought my first (it arrived yesterday) here are my thoughts if you decide to go new:
First, buy from a seller who includes a full setup as part of the purchase. I bought mine from Elderly Instruments, and my new mandolin sounds & feels wonderful.
Second, go A-Style. F-Style, with the curly-q on the side, looks nice but it adds ~$200 to the purchase price of the mandolin. That's the difference between a nice A-Style in your price range or a really nice A-Style in your price range.
Last, make the decision between F or oval sound holes. I went f holes, but on reflection I probably would have preferred an oval. Maybe next time.
Based on your budget, I would recommend an Eastman MD505 Classic (A-Style, f holes, spruce top, maple back & sides, cordura hard foam case). $769 from Elderly Instruments, shipping & set up included.
The Eastman 505 is a well respected mandolin, and the price leaves plenty of room for accessories like an arm rest, Tone Guard, extra strings, and other goodies.
Eastman MD-514 (F body, Sitka & maple, oval hole)
Klos Carbon Fiber (on order)
And still saving my nickels & dimes & bottle caps & breakfast cereal box tops for my lifetime mandolin.
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