View Full Version : $1000 Dollars to cure MAS help
Okay if you had $1000 to spend on a mando which one would you spend it on?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif??
Jesus I only cured my last MAS with $500 in February, will I need to spend $2000 in January?? Does MAS ever get totally cured??
Anyway any suggestions from you lovely people would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
PS. Looking for F shape mando with scroll to play bluegrass
jjboone101
Aug-30-2005, 6:57am
Tough price point. Personally, I'd go for either a new Davis Flattop or a good used Flatiron A...
It depends on what is driveing your MAS. The F style might satisfy your MAS but it won't necessarally give you better sound or make you a better player. I can only speak for myself but my main requirement would be sound and not scroll.
Try to check out a Morris. It should be close to your price range.
J. Mark Lane
Aug-30-2005, 6:59am
Howard Morris had an F5 for sale in the Classifieds recently, might still be available. Was around $1,100, iirc. That's about the only reasonably good builder I know of who will sell an F5 style mandolin for close to $1,000. I personally wouldn't bother with any of the Asian imports, at least not for a second mandolin. You ought to move up to a decent instrument at this point. Frankly, I would save my money until I had $2500 or so, then go back out looking. Even then, you will have a hard time finding a decent bluegrass mandolin.
...Unless, of course, you forego the scroll and get an A. As much as it is said here, it is soooo true. You can get a realllly good A for that kind of money. A lifetime instrument.
Someone once said to me, when I first started working at a Wall Street law firm -- "It's better to have one really good suit and wear it every day, than to have several cheap suits." Similar principle.
Yeah it is the old addage "Buy cheap, Buy twice"
So is it really a question of having to spend more than $3000 to get anything decent with a scroll??
The scroll is just asthetic but is so lovely and there is something to be said for getting that exciting rush every time you open the case.
J. Mark Lane
Aug-30-2005, 7:57am
So is it really a question of having to spend more than $3000 to get anything decent with a scroll??
Not necessarily, but close. Check out Brian Dean, Keith Newell...there are a few others that will make you a nice F5 for $3k, maybe a bit less. Keep an eye on the Classifieds.
Mike McCoy
Aug-30-2005, 8:47am
If you can find any Japanese era Kentucky's you might try one of those out. For the money "some" of those can be very good sounding and with a good setup very playable. Take your time and play as many mandos as you can, both A's and F's. Good luck.
arbarnhart
Aug-30-2005, 9:33am
I would get this Eastman (http://www.giannaviolins.com/eastmanmandolins/MD515.html) and still have some change left over.
Wow that Eastman looks very nice indeed!! I will give it serious consideration. I like the natural finish too, it's very much to my taste!!
arbarnhart
Aug-30-2005, 10:57am
Actually, the 515s are not in stock there, so if you had to have it soon, I am afraid you would need to scrape together another $240 and move up to the 615 (http://www.giannaviolins.com/eastmanmandolins/MD615.html), which he has a few of. Again, this is what I would do if it I had a $1000 to spend and I am looking up from below and forming an opinion based mostly on the input of others.
Dioptase
Aug-30-2005, 7:19pm
If you were to choose a well crafted A style instrument, I think you might soon find yourself appreciating it's elegance in simplicity. If price is limited to 1,000$, you would probably be best off looking for a used A model instrument. That would probably stave off the return of MAS for the longest time.
MANDOLINMYSTER
Aug-30-2005, 7:51pm
$100,000.00 couldn't cure MAS. It's a life long condition. Notice I did not say illness, because MAS is a good thing....isn't it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Yeah Michael it is a good thing and it does bring a lot of pleasure and fun. (Well maybe not for our wives http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
Just saw Hickory Project last night and got into a lengthy discussion with their mandolin player Anthony Hannigan (What a player http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ) anyway it seems the Eastman 615 is really quite a good one, so thats twice in the same day I've heard that mandolin recommended.
Eric F.
Aug-31-2005, 9:24am
There's a varnish finish A style mando handmade by an independent American builder sitting in the classifieds for $650. The builder does not get a lot of ink, but people whose judgment in mandolins I trust tell me his work is very good. A local player here has one and loves it. If I were in the market for a mandolin with f holes I would jump on that Glenn mando and laugh all the way to the bank. I might buy it anyhow, just because it's driving me crazy to see it languish there.
Eric, you have my brother thinkin about getting that Glenn
A mando now!!
fatt-dad
Aug-31-2005, 10:07am
Heck there's an A9 in the Cafe Classifieds for $1,100.00. (NFI)
f-d
Chadah77
Aug-31-2005, 10:10am
Hey,
I just purchased an Eastman from Steve at Gianna's. I would recommend that 615 number 449. I bought it's twin, number 447. Both had excellent chop and deep sound. It can only get better. Nothing but praise for their shop too.
Great people to deal with. Write me if you wanna talk about them.
Chad
Wow the choice is overwhelming http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I love that rustic finish on the A9
3rd recommendation for the Eastman and counting
Thank you guys this is great http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Aran
hungry mountain boy
Aug-31-2005, 11:06am
I suggest the Howard Morris Mandolin, however resale might not be as good as an eastman, I have one of his A's it gets lots of compliments both on looks and sound.