Re: Fender FM53, Ibanez M522, or Loar LM-220?
You've summed up the situation pretty well. The Fender and Ibanez have solid tops, but laminated back and sides; their tops are heat -pressed, not carved into an arch, as far as I can ascertain from their published specs. The Loar is all solid woods, and the top and back are carved, not heat-pressed. I'm always a bit skeptical of "hand-carved" in this price range, and suspect that most of the carving is by a machine, with some hand finishing, but have no evidence on that; chalk it up to my being an elderly curmudgeon.
But of course price is another consideration. In learning mandolin, set-up and playability are the first considerations, more than sound and appearance. However, the price differential seems pretty small. The Ibanez and Fender are somewhere around $300, though I assume you're paying less for the used one. The Loar's around $350, based on what I can find on-line. For a difference of less than $100, you're getting an instrument made of better materials, and with more hand-work in it. IMHO, for such a modest price differential, I'd spring for the better instrument.
I wouldn't worry too much about nato vs. maple in the back and sides; their main function is to reflect and project sound, not to be a vibrating surface, and in the price range you're dealing with, you probably won't find much difference. And as for Fender being the "good guys," I think that applies a bit more in the electric-guitar field than for acoustic mandolins. All the instruments you're considering are Asian-made, so having an "American" name-plate is fairly irrelevant.
Good luck; see if you can get an opportunity to try one or more of your choices before buying, and if possible, take a mandolinist friend along for the trial. And remember that individual instruments can vary significantly, so generalizations based on make and model can only go so far. Get a good set-up, so that the instrument plays easily and intonates properly, and enjoy!
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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