Mando Shoppin'

[Pen]

I just discovered this site yesterday - and all I can say is WOW! What a great resource.

I am looking to upgrade my mandolin and want to make sure I really get something I will enjoy. I currently play a Kentucky mandolin. It's been ok i suppose - but I can really use a better instrument! I've been playing for 4 years and split my play time between guitar and mando. I'm an average player I guess but always getting better. -)

Here's my questions.

1) New vs. Used mando. I've heard ppl talk about "breaking in" a mandolin. How much will the sound change over the first few years? Does it make more sense for me to shop for a used instrument that has had it's sound already develop? LOL - or is this not really a concern?

2) Make and model recommendations. I'll be runnin around Denver this weekend to some of the higher end mandolin shops testing out what they have to see what I like. With a budget of between $1,000 - $2,000 (and I would luv to stay on the low end), I plan on trying out some Gibson's & Michael Kelly's to be sure. I'm not concerned about the "look" as much as the sound. Oh - and I'm all over the board in terms of what I play from Rock to Bluegrass to Gospel.

As a relative newb to this - I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

Pen

[sirmando]

Pen the best thing I can say to do is try as may as you can then when you get it narrowed down have the sales person play it while your back is turned then pick the one that sounds best to you. That is how I got my MK and I could have gotten an F9, flation, morgan monroe, ect... but that MK dragon fly sounded best to me. Good luck with you mandolin shoppin.

[mandofiddle]

Check out the Old Town Pickin Parlor in Arvada.
http://www.picknparlor.com/mandolins.htm

The Denver Folklore Center.
http://www.denverfolklore.com

Woodsongs in Boulder.
http://www.hbwoodsongs.com

Looks like between the 3 of them they'd have quite a variety for you to check out and play.

[GVD]

Like Sirmando said try as many as you possibly can. Since you already have a serviceable mandolin you can take your time and find the one that speaks to you. After you've tried a bunch of them you'll have the aural experience to know which one you really want. Sometimes you're not exactly sure when you first play it but if it's the one it will call you back.

GVD

[sunburst]

Well, (here we go again) since you are new here and haven't had to put up with the debate that I hope this doesn't start, when you get up around $2000 you're getting into the range of some very good A style mandolins. We're talking hand made high quality.
You said looks were not important, but if you don't need a scroll, there's no reason to compromise looks, tone, playability or whatever in an A at that price.