If you ever find a (fill in the blank), buy it!

[Capt. E]

I recently acquired, at very modest expense, a japanese made "Shiro" mandolin: A style with f holes like a Gibson A9. It just came back from being set-up and it plays like a dream. I have under $300 in it and I would put it up against an Eastman, Gibson, Weber, etc. If you ever run across one, take a good look.

How many of you have come across an obscure make of mando that turned out to be a gem?

[allenhopkins]

Strad-O-Lin; 25 bucks from a little old lady who had it under her bed (literally). I've played it for years; the quintessential "beater" that's gone everywhere. No pizzazz at all, plywood and checked finish and binding painted on and crumbling tuner buttons that had to be replaced one by one, but a million dollars' worth of honest music out of a 25-buck investment.

[MikeEdgerton]

Darn it Allen, I paid twice that for mine.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-13-91559-P1010004.JPG

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[Ken Olmstead]

[quote=MikeEdgerton,June 06 2008, 14:58]Darn it Allen, I paid twice that for mine.

Mike that one is beautiful!!

[allenhopkins]

Mike, you's got youself a deal there. #Mine's definitely the ugly duckling to your swan.

[Jim Kirkland]

1930 oval hole regal with a tortus pickguard, ebony bridge, and need of repair. Removed the top, made new braces, glued up the top, reset the neck, and rubbed on some polish. Still looks rough. Strung up that puppy, and was exactally the sound what I was looking for to play old time and gospel. Paid more for shipping than the mando, $27.00 total, not counting the strings, and one of Doug's armrest. Love it, sounds great, have turned down $375.00.

[JiminRussia]

Flatiron 1N needed a seam repair on the back. I paid $100 for it and another $80 for the seam repair at Mandolin Brothers. It is LOUD! and plays sweet which is more than I can say for my playing. My playing is loud all right, but not nearly so sweet. These are very underrated instruments. I refer to mine as the mouse that roars!