Re: Should I trade up?
Gold Tone makes decent instruments, and you can definitely learn on the one your wife gave you. And congrats on having a supportive spouse; I've gotten pretty sick over the years on the Cafe, of the "I'd buy a better mandolin, but my wife'll kill me, so I'll have to sneak it in, in a tennis-racket sleeve," etc. etc. Perhaps the Cafe should hire a moderator with marriage-counseling experience...?
Also concur on the recommendation to save your dough and -- if you stick with the mandolin -- make your "upgrade" (not "trade up") a near-pro-quality, low-four-figures instrument. You would notice a qualitative difference between the Gold Tone and an entry-level Kentucky or Eastman, but when you're learning, the main thing is to have a decent-sounding, easily playable mandolin that encourages you to pick it up and play it frequently.
You're balancing two variables here: modest improvement in quality vs. continuing to show your wife how much you appreciate her thoughtfulness and support,as shown by playing the mandolin she gave you. I know where I'd go with 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
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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