What would you buy?

[Waldo]

What mandolin would you buy if you had up to $2,000 to spend right now?


I am just curious what other folks would buy if you had to stay within that price range. Could save more but I got the fever now.

I am really drawn to the old Gibson A's

[Celtic Saguaro]

If you want an old Gibson A, go for it.

If I wanted a new instrument I'd probably get a nice Breedlove. #Above $2000, there are better instruments for Bluegrass, but the high end Breedloves are more my idea of a versatile mandolin. #By the way, I don't own one. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Chris Biorkman]

Old Gibson A or maybe a Collings MT.

[John Flynn]

I agree with the Old Wave recommendation, except I already have one! If I had $2K to spend, no question, it would be on a National Resonator Model One. It is the ultimate banjo killer, the true 8-string cannon, but it still sounds great. That will be my next purchase, but since I just had an OM built for me, it will be a while!

[PhilGE]

Edit: I deleted this post and added it back in after changing the photo (MandoJohnny was responding to this content).
--

If you look around and are patient, you might find an Old Wave. Modeled after teens Gibson As, they are wonderful instruments. Of course, as an owner, I'm biased. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[allenhopkins]

New National resonator. I'd have a bit of change left.

[jim simpson]

I would try for a Collings, Flatiron, Gibson (A's).
I plan to actually shop for one of the above when I build up my fund to the budgeted amount.

[Spruce]

New National resonator. #I'd have a bit of change left.
Took the words right out of my mouth.....

[The2became1]

Being a new player what about Weber or Eastman?

[Stephen Perry]

Eastman MD505 and a used Colnago Masterlight frame off Ebay.

[red7flag]

Another great one at that price point is the subject of another thread now an A Laura Ratliff. Just a wonderful instrument for the price.
Tony

[jimbob]

you can probably find a Gibby A5L for about that range.

[Rick Schmidlin]

I sound like a broken record: a Collings MT...a Collings MT.....a Collings MT

[Greg H.]

I'd suggest you talk to Charles Johnson at Mandolin World Headquarters (http://www.mandolinworldheadquarters.com/). If you live in VA or anywhere nearby (within a few hours drive) it would be better still if you could visit and try out a few. He has a number of old Gibson A models within your price range plus an Old Wave oval hole A model that's just a little above it. Also, to appease all of those who really think you want an F hole mandolin despite your attraction to the old Gibsons, he's got A Collings MT and one of Laura Ratcliff's A models. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Brad Weiss]

Do you wan to know what I'd get if I had a spare 2k, or what you should get? #I've got a nice Gibson A, so I don't want another one. #For 2k I'd look for a nice tenor guitar, something vintage.

[JeffD]

If I had to spend it, I would get a Collings MT, for sure. But in reality I would save it, to contribute to my funding of one of Brian Dean's way too beautiful creations.

[Steve Ostrander]

Collings MT or Gibson A

[Chunky But Funky]

Well...you are drawn to the old Gibson A's and everyone is recommending a Collings MT. Wait for Collings new A style oval hole. I have both MT's and a 1918 A4. Love them both. They definitely each have their own unique feel. MT's have radiused fretboard and standard scale. Older A's have flat fretboard and shorter scale. I am intrigued by the new offering by Collings in the works myself!

Doug

[Rick Schmidlin]

I can't wait to see,hear and play the new varnish oval Colling A http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[morristownmando]

WELL IF IM GOING TO SPEND $2000 WHATS ANOTHER $1000 I WOULD TRY TO FIND A F5G THATS ALREADY OPENED UP. # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #DANNY # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # kENTUCKY 805 ARTIST AND SUMI ERA KM-180S

[man dough nollij]

I'd get this (http://www.aomusicshop.com/aom/instruments/detail.asp?tbl=tblmandolins&id=184&sectionid=instruments&prodid=3&returnurl=index).

http://www.aomusicshop.com/aom/img/instruments/16064.jpg

[JEStanek]

Since people like to recommend what they've got... I'll second the Brian Dean recommendation. If you're willing to go outside the traditional box into designs that pull from the old world and a great aesthetic, Brian's your guy. His OMs are sweet too.

Another flat top option for an OM or zouk would be Jack Spira in Australia. Great wirk, super nice man, very talented and you get some of that beautiful Australian tonewood (I'm totally biased here too).

A used Old Wave oval would be sweet too. I played one once, a real beauty; comfort and tone. If you'd rather get that tone from an older box I think the Charles Johnson contact would be a good idea.

The last two things that pop into my mind at that price point are the Eastman F style mandola and their guitar shaped mandocello. Although, I may consider saving the money to see about the Bacon Artist copy David Grisman is collaborating with Eastman on.

There are lots of great options available, this is what I would do if I had $2k of mando money burning a hole in my pocket.

Jamie

[cooper4205]

if you like the old Gibson's, look for a snakehead. They can be had for that price and can be excellent mandolins.

[RobP]

Well I came into about that much money from a bonus at work a month or so back, and I spent it on a breedlove ff with a red spruce top and a schertler pickup. So far so good. I also considered holding out for a used Weber Bitteroot.

Someone had an old wave oval in the classifieds for about $1500 recently -- if that's still there maybe you should grab it.

Cheers,

Rob

[Trey Young]

I bought my Elkhorn A-5 for less than 2k and would do it again, although perhaps with a red spruce top...

[fstylemb1]

around $2000, hmmm... I guess it would also depend greatly on what style of music you are interested in or what tone you are looking for. good luck and enjoy! there are so many affordable mandos out there!

[Mandolusional]

There are also a couple nice Bulldog's in the Classifieds right now that are around your range.

[h2o-X]

Keith Newell... http://www.newellmandolin.com

[F5GRun]

Most likely i would go with an MT or even better an Old Wave, or keep my eyes peeled on the classifieds for something that struck my fancy. Good Luck