The next level

[jmfrizz]

I'm new to this list so I apologize if this is one of those questions that's been endlessly hashed and rehashed.

I've been playing an Epiphone F-Style ($499) for the past two years and am ready to upgrade to a higher quality instrument. #At what price does one start to find truly fine sounding and playing instruments? #I'm not especially interested in vintage instruments, or concerned about cosmetics, e.g., fancy inlays etc., since I'm looking for a sturdy workhorse and not a work of art or an investment. I treat my instruments with respect but I don't want to feel like I have to worry about every nick or scratch.#What I do know is that I want an F-style that is loud (since I have a light touch in my picking hand and sometimes have difficulty being heard). #

Your thoughts would be appreciated. #Suggestions on specific manufactureres or builders are welcome.

[August Watters]

Hoo boy. I hear it coming now: we've been down this road lots of times! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Most people on this list will tell you if tone, loudness and playability are your primary concerns (and you're buying a new instrument), you should stick with the A-styles until you're somewhere over the $2k mark. Although there are some good exceptions in used instruments -- lots of folks will recommend the old Flatiron F's for example, which can be found not too expensive. There are also several new builders making F's in the below-$2k price range, but beware -- this is below minimum wage for an independent builder, so quality is hit and miss in this price range.

August W

[Lee]

Yep, what August says, goes. If you can jump to about $1200 you'll enter a sweet spot. Some guy had a Rigel A+ for just over a grand on the classifieds that looked like a great deal.

[August Watters]

Like Lee said, the next significant price point is $1000 to $1200, for A-styles. Gibson, Weber, Breedlove and Rigel all have good entries here.

August W
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Dioptase]

Everyone here is telling the truth. Look to spend about 1200$ on a good new A style.. and at least 2,000$ on a decent F model. Since cosmetics aren't an issue.. you may want to lose the scroll but keep the F holes for bluegrass tone. If I had 2,000$ to spend on a nice F style instrument... I would probably opt for an A and check out the new bare-bones Collings model, or maybe check out a Stiver A.

I didn't have that much, so I went for the 1200$ A style. There's better out there, but I feel that over this price point you begin to get increasingly diminishing returns on your investment. But if you have the money.. I say go for it.
micah

[peterbc]

Are there any good music stores near you? I think it's always nice to play before you buy as there is variation between supposedly identical instruments. If not, try to find some place that has some sort of return policy that'll let you try it out for a bit.

Peter

[Dfyngravity]

You have hit that question that is real sensitive to everyone. I am sure you will hear about every good mando out there through this thread. But my suggestion is to play as many as you can. If you are able find a bluegrass festival if there is any that is in reasonable driving distance. If you can make it to a festival than you will find your share of great mando and all other bluegrass instruments. If you can't make it to one I would try to find a store around you that has mandos you can try out. If that's not an option, is there a local bluegrass band or ever jam session near you? All I am saying is you probably want to play one before buying. I have only bought one mando that I hadn't played much less heard before buying and that was a Janish A-5. August Watters who replied earlier on this thread is the rep for the US and he definatly can find you a mando that will suite you. Just trying to give you some options.

Dfyngravity

[KevinM]

If you are dead set on sticking with a F, check out a Nashville built Flatiron Festival F, can probably get one on eBay for $1800. Underpriced equivalent of a F5G, and in my view superior (at least cosmetically) to the F-9.