Upgrading mandolin...

[zoukie]

I've played the mandolin for many years now and know some about what brands you usually recommend but still I'd like your input.
I will upgrade mandolin within a reasonable future, not in the next 6 months but probably later (just bought a nice zouk and my husband wants to buy a Martin guitar so we'll wait a while with mandolin... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ). I've almost decided to order a Flatbush A style mandolin since I really like the sound and playability of his mandolins.
What other brands would you recommend. I have some requirements.. it has to have a nice dark sound for the bluegrass chop and good bass. It also has to have a nice open sound for Irish-style playing, and it has to have good volume in the sound, and be easy to play. I prefer not to pay more than 2000 euros (Flatbush will probably be a bit beyond that but at least they're great mandolins) and I'm not going to order from America or go over the sea to bring it home.... it has to be available in Europe and better yet, in Ireland or England.

I'm going to check out the builders section here on M.cafe but I'm interested to hear everyone's input and thoughts.

[pettyman]

Go and play a bunch at TAMCO in Brighton!

[Rick Cadger]

Where are you?

If you're in the UK you can avoid the risks of buying unseen/unheard by popping down to Trevor's TAMCO shop in Brighton. Even if you have to take a day to do it it will be time and money well spent, as you'll be able to hear the mandos for yourself.

If you want chop then you're looking at an f hole model of some description.

Usual advice is go for an A style as less of the cost is absorbed by the cosmetics so you get more of what you're really after.

Go to TAMCO and try a few Eastmans, maybe a Kentucky KM-1000. Trevor will probably also have some used instruments that might fall inside your budget.

I know you say you'd rather not go over 2000 Euro, but for an extra 285 Euro a Collings MT comes within reach (at TAMCO prices). That's what I'd be aiming at if it were me.

I've bought 3 mandolins from Trevor - two I played in the shop and one by mail. Good experiences each time. Absolutely NFI.

If you're somewhere else (Ireland I suspect, if you think in Euros?), then I guess your best bet is to find out where your nearest mandolin store is, or ask TAMCO about mail order.

[Rick Cadger]

Go and play a bunch at TAMCO in Brighton!
There you go... Consensus already! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[zoukie]

I'm in Cork, Ireland. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Spencer]

Zoukie, I am the very happy owner of 3 Flatbush instruments, including a A4 mandolin, which I have had since 1999, and I have always been very satisfied with it. It fits the requirements for tone that you described quite nicely. My son plays Irish trad on it when he comes over, and it does very well on that style of music too. The newer models have a few improvements, and are even better than what I have, so in my opinion, it is a very good choice.

Spencer

[zoukie]

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Just decided to order a Flatbush. I talked some to the mandolin expert in a shop in town and he said there are no bluegrass mandolins in the whole Ireland, there simply is no demand for it. And I'm not up to going to England and buy a Collings that will probably be the same price as a Flatbush that I already know it's a great mandolin, in addition I think mr Flatbush is a really nice fella and I'd love to buy from him.

So now I'll sit down and check out some colours and stuff...great fun!!!!

[kymandolin29]

if i was over there id get a krishot

[Michael Lewis]

You will do well with the Flatbush. Victor is a great maker and all round good guy. You made a good call.