Imported "A"s vs. High end MKs

[Steve_R]

Do you think any of the imported "A" style mandolins
are better than the high end Michael Kelly "F" style.?
With a fixed budget, would I get better value with the
MK or an imported "A" at the same price level? Talking
about a MK Legacy Classic vs. an imported "A".
How about a Breedlove "OF" as a option...anyone played
one of those?

[August Watters]

"Imported A style" is a pretty big category. If we're talking about "imported to the US," it includes low-end, manufactured instruments, like the Pac-rim mandos, as well as high-end builders like Gilchrist and Heiden!

If you're talking the same price range, say $1000, I'm not aware of too many imported A-styles there (although Eastman has just entered this category). The A-styles below that range are other Pac-rim imports, some of which will give you similar tone to the MK for less money. The A-styles above that range (beginning somewhere around $1500) that are available in the US are not manufactured, they're by small builders, and they're in a class far above the Pac-rim imports, including MK.

There are good-quality A's in the $1000 price range, domestically made by Weber, Rigel, Breedlove and Gibson -- any of which would be a big improvement over your typical MK. I think consensus on this board is that unless you have over $2k to spend, you're probably going to get more tone with an A.

Is there something more specific you have in mind?

August W
http://www.galleryofstrings.com

[Steve_R]

Well, I'm thinking of a MK Legacy Classic compared to high end of the "A" styles by Fender,Kentucky,Morgan Monroe.

Or, would lower end of brands such as the Breedlove "OF", Rigel "A" natural or Weber Hyalite "A" with "F" holes on the other hand be a better value.?

[John Flynn]

I have played examples of all of the list except the Morgan Monroe. Just MHO, but without having the opportunity to play the individual instruments before buying, my priorities would be:
1. I would choose the Rigel, the Breedlove, the Weber in that order, but they would be pretty close and in the same top category. These are very different instruments, BTW, so there would be a lot of personal preference involved in the ranking.
2. The MK and the Eastman
3. The other PacRims

[Tim Saxton]

Why don't you consider the Micheal Kelly A. However these are not listed on the webpage. They do exist. I played one at Merlefest. It seemed like a nice imported mandolin .

Tim

[August Watters]

I think you're comparing three very different types of mandolins, in two different price ranges:

Pac-Rim A-styles:
Fender, Kentucky, MM
For bluegrass tone, my preference would be for the Kentucky withthe carved, solid top -- but these are all similar instruments and any might be OK. Be sure you get a professional setup; any of these are going to need it, and most stores won't tell you that.

Pac-Rim F-styles:
MK, MM
Upgrades in looks, but IMHO not an improvement tonally over the best of the previous category -- and more expensive.

Domestic A-styles:
Breedlove, Rigel, Weber
In the same price range as the Pac-Rim F's, but a big step up in tone, in general. Of course every instrument is different, any you never know when you might unexpectedly find an outstanding instrument -- so play lots of mandos, get a feel for them, and trust your ears!

August W

[Steve_R]

I'm not happy with the Washburn M2SW that I have and want
to replace it. I had read good reviews on the Michael Kelly
"F" models. Now, I prefer an "A" style with "F" holes. I was just wondering if in the same price range as the Michael
Kelly Legacy Classic (about $850.00) I could actually get better tone and playablity in an 'A" style. I think the entry level Weber, Rigel and Breedloves will be slightly higher in price, but close. Tim, in a post above, mentioned
a Michael Kelly "A" style but I haven't seen any info on those.

[jcs271]

Go to the classifieds here at the cafe. There are several Flatiron A's for $725-900. They will beat the pants off any import. They will always be worth at least what you paid for them and, most importantly you will end up with a great sounding (American made) instrument!

[August Watters]

Steve,

You've posed a difficult question -- $850 is a funny, in-between price point. It's not quite enough for a good-quality, domestically-made A, but it IS enough for a Pac-Rim F. In my view, the former is a near-professional quality instrument; the latter is a beginning level instrument. If it was me #I would either:

1) save another $100 to $200 and go for a better-quality A;
2) go with JCS's suggestion and buy a good-quality used A -- there's a Flatiron on eBay now for $850!
3) if bluegrass tone is not necessary, buy a flat--top Mid-Missouri and save $300 or so;
4) spend $300 to 500 or so on a used Pac-Rim A or F, and save up for a professional-level instrument.

August W

[atetone]

I had a Fender F style and a Breedlove Quartz OF. No comparison, no way, no how.
The Fender was a pretender and the Breedlove was a great mandolin for the money. Even forgetting about the "for the money" part of the thing, the Breedlove was a great mandolin. A real instrument with great playability, good workmanship and good volume and tone.
I might even buy another one one day.
The Fender could not compare in any way, shape or form.
Different animals altogether.
I would shop around and try to find something domestic for $1000 or less. As pointed out in previous posts there are some good options out there in that price range.

[Steve_R]

August,

How would you rate the Breedlove Quartz with F holes
and the Weber Hyalite? These are Low end "A"s for these
brands.Are they better tone/quality than asian made Fs
such as the Michael Kelly, Morgan Monroe?

[Coy Wylie]

I started with a Kentucky and went to an MK, no comparison. The MK was far better straight out of the box. I played it hard for six months and saved up the $$ to buy a Weber. The broken in MK was louder than the Weber at first. But now the Weber is opening up nicely. Overall the Weber has a better tone, especially the bass end. Of course it's fit and finish blow the MK away. Still I have kept the MK as a back up. BTW it is the Legacy Classic. I would spring for the Allen tailpiece if you decide on one. PM me if I can help you in anyway.

[atetone]

Steve, there is a Flatiron in the classifieds for $725. Ad #9673.
I haven't had any experience with them, but this looks like a good deal on a well respected mando.
Anyone else out there with Flatiron experience have an opinion on that particular ad??

[August Watters]

How would you rate the Breedlove Quartz with F holes
and the Weber Hyalite? Are they better tone/quality than asian made Fs such as the Michael Kelly, Morgan Monroe?

YES -- there's a reason the Breedlove & Weber are better instruments: they are made the traditional way -- by carving the top and back. This is necessary for the tone of a good mandolin, but it's also expensive and labor-intensive. The MK/MM mandolins are made by cheaper mass-production techniques that involve bending flat pieces of wood (and for MK, sometimes thinning the edges afterward).

Some of the Pac-rim mandos do advertise a "solid carved top" -- these are an improvement, but still made by machine and do not receive the individual attention necessary for a professional-level instrument. There's no way this is the equivalent of the carving process done by Weber or Breedlove (or Rigel or Gibson for that matter).

As to Kentucky vs. the other Pac-rims: I don't know which Kentucky Willard had, but there's a big difference between the models. The low-end Kentuckys are made with plywood; the better ones have the solid carved tops -- and IMHO are tonally as good or better than any of the Pac-rim F-styles.

Which is why my advice is: don't spend more than $300-$500 on a Pac-Rim mando, if tone is the objective. The best tone will come from one with a solid carved top. If you want the look of an F-style, that's fine (I'm stuck on the look too!) -- just understand you're paying an extra $400 or $500 for cosmetics. If you have that much money and you want to put it into tone instead of a scroll, go with a better-made A-style.

August W

[Greenmando]

I got lucky and bought a Gibson A9 off the classifieds for $850 shipped, she plays very nice. I find myself playing it more than my Flatiron F.