Mando Suggestions (F style)

[apsmith]

I posted this a couple months ago, but I'm seriously in the market to buy a quality F style mando. I currently have a Fender A style. I've been looking into a Weber Gallitan, if anyone has any suggestions or information please post it here. Thanks

[doanepoole]

My suggestion is one you don't want to hear...


Don't waste your money on an f-style.

[Lee]

Try this guy.
www.driftwoodmandolins.com

[apsmith]

I like the body of the F-style.

[Lee]

Or talk to Spare Change. He'll probably pop in here soon enough anyway.

[Lee]

Your choices will probaly be a PacRim factory mando, a no frills Gallatin, an indidual builder either young or just breaking into the market, or used. Are you comfortable gambling on a new builder?

[apsmith]

Not really

[Tom C]

For that money, you can get a nice quality "A" that is 2 steps up from what you have compared to an F style which I would say to be a 1 step up. The <s>Gelatin</s> Gallitan, is a nice mando for the buck. Try to get the one with a maple back if possible as I find the mohogany a bit too warm. I still think you can get a
better "A" style.

[John Zimm]

I like my Michael Kelly, although I am beginning to see it has some limitations. When I want to play loudly I can overplay the instrument, and there are probably a-styles that sound much better for the price. Check out a Weber Absoraka or Gibson A9. The f-style is a nice looking instrument, but you can get a lot more instrument for the money if you get an a-style.

-John.

sound advice.... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Loren Bailey]

I love my Breedlove. Made in the USA, solid woods, excellent waranty. You could easily get into one of their K style(kinda like an F style) for $1500. There is a Quartz KF on the classifieds right now with excellent upgrades for less than $900. I have the O model (A style) and I haven't found many F styles that can hang with it. Just my $1.00-.98 worth.

LB

[Lee]

Cough up another $300 and buy the Ratliff RF (Really just like an F5) from the classifieds. # You'll be really really glad you did. #Really. #
(I don't know the seller.)

[August Watters]

Let's see, F-style for $1500. . . .

1) Pac Rim beginner's model
2) Beginning luthier's first F
3) get really, really lucky on eBay

OR:
lose the scroll, and buy a professional-level instrument -- there are lots of good-sounding mandolins in your price range:
1) Rigel A+
2) Breedlove Cascade
3) Gibson A9
4) Weber (several choices)
5) Vintage Gibson A
6) Several experienced small builders
7) Used: plenty to choose from!

[neal]

You can still get an F from Howard Morris for under 1500. Nothing fancy, but they play well, intonates properly, stay in tune, and are hand made by a guy in Oregon. He has a few for sale right now for around 8 bills. One of them has a kinda funky back.

[Walter Newton]

(Mahogany) Gallatins sure are nice but not at all the same as the typical (Maple) Bluegrass F style mandos...better make sure of the sound you want before you buy (and search the posts here for Gallatin info).

IMO for the $$ you're better off taking everyone's wise advice and going for a quality A.

[jcs271]

If you just want it to look cool then buy a MK with lots of inlay and flashy stuff. If you want great sound then look at the Collings MT "A" style.

[DannyB]

I agree with Lee...you won't be sorry!! I don't believe you'll find a better F model for that money...