Entry-level radius fretboard big frets

[kvk]

I'm dabbling with playing lefty and would like a slightly better mando than the beater I have now with a radius fretboard and larger frets. I want easier playability but don't want to spend to a ton.

Anyone know of any models I might look at?

The Eastmans all look to have Dunlop #6310 frets which are small.

What about the Kentucky 250 (the new 250) or 505?

Any others?

Want to stick to <$500 unless a killer deal comes along for something a lot nicer for not more more than that. I figure unless I find a used lefty, I'll just convert it myself. I did it with my beater and it works.

[Folkmusician.com]

All the Kentucky's also use small fret wire. The only instruments that come to mind are the Michael Kelly line (with the exception of the A-solid and Festival models) which all have a radiused fingerboards with Medium fret wire. The Nut spacing is also just a little wider than most at 1-1/8".

[kvk]

Gee, with big frets being easier to play, you'd think manufacturers would make more entry-level mandos with bigger frets.

I wonder why they don't? Are they more expensive to build with bigger frets?
Do they figure beginners want mandos that look more traditional even if they are hard to play? Do that not give a #### how their products play for entry-level players?

[mandroid]

Get a mandolin you like the sound of, and can afford , play it a lot , and when you wear down the frets under the unwound strings, then you can make the decision as to the next set.

The Importing distributors make their decisions on what they think the customers want, perhaps if you write to them in a convincing manner , and are joined by others with similar desires , then the customer requests may sway their decisions, your way..

The distributors and dealers meet at the trade shows , the public is not 'the trade' , they are the customers, so not who those shows are for.

But it is nice that those who go bring back some photos , the cacophony of all those electric guitars being played at once is something I'm glad is not brought back.

[Marni Sorrick]

I am left handed, and I have a lefty Michael Kelly Legacy Dragonfly Flame that I will gladly sell you for under $500, but not too much under. I bought it in July 2009, paid about $600 for it.

Here's the rub - it is a "B" (blemished) model, which is why it was priced that way. It has a discreet "B" stamped on the back of the headstock. There are two flaws in the inlay on the headstock, so the instrument finish is not perfect. This does not affect the play or intonation.

I took it last weekend to Owensboro, KY for the Bill Monroe Mando Camp, Will Kimble (luthier - Kimble mandolins) adjusted the neck and re-positioned the bridge for better intonation, so the set up is about as good as it's gonna get.

I caught a bad, bad case of MAS (mandolin acquisition syndrome) while I was at this camp, and I have decided to have an A-model built just for little ol' me. I am leaning toward Silver Angel Mandolins.

Maybe that was TMI, but I would sell this one. I'll post a pic, and then if you want to see some more photos I'll take some up close shots of it for you.

[Marni Sorrick]

I am a newbie on this forum, so I hope my file attachment works ...